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hosted by Chess Queen™ & 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Medieval Chess Set - Impressive, Creative Hobby Project
Hello Chess Blog friends, We were just sent these lovely photos by MarvelStanley via Facebook. A reddit user uploaded these amazing pictures of a medieval chess set created by his mother. Here are the photos and you can read more at viralnova.
The project took Pamela about 6 months to complete and it’s currently sitting in her basement waiting for a gallery. Each piece is hollow, and as such are lighter than they look. The tallest king is around 6″.
Pamela's official website is pmummy.com where she states that she is enchanted by the human form that also inspires her.
Comical Chess Set Videos: Kath McBurney Crystal Carvings!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
We are always looking for creative chess ideas here on Chess Blog, and just found these very interesting chess videos on YouTube. They are about a hand-carved crystal comical drunk Viking chess set created by well-known artist and gem carver Kath McBurney. Each piece is uniquely different and very comical. For example, Logmar is the Bishop and he has his hand behind his back hiding a mug! Enjoy the chess videos (and the music). Don't forget to send us your favourite chess videos as well.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
From time to time we get to hear of new chess set designs. Here's another interesting one - stackable chess set!
Industrial designer Neora Zigler wanted to update chess pieces for modern production techniques, leg behind the old style, which was designed to be turned on a lathe. Zigler said she tinkered with several ideas before thinking of the modern stackable chess set.
In designing the pieces, she looked to other stacking objects for inspiration. The designer said she was focused on making the pieces "simple but not minimalist and not abstract." The stackable pieces, she points out, could also allow for more compact packaging. You can read further here.
Cool Chess Video: Sonic the Hedgehog Chess Collection History & Review
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
A look at a very rare Sonic Chess Collection pieces. As well as a brief history of the pieces and the magazine which they came with. Have fun watching. If you have a chess video to share, do send it to us right away. You could also send us chess fiction, chess stories and any positive chess news from your community or club as well.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Here is a special chess set designed for the visually impaired or the partially sighted. Textured magnets keep the pieces in the correct place and indicate the direction of play. White pieces are made of matte steel while black pieces are hardwood, making them identifiable by heat and texture. Even the magnet strength has been adjusted so the amount of sticking together would indicate what color square a piece is on. The set has been designed by Duncan McKean.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
No we are not asking who's that! Got you! The chess trivia question is what do you know about that chess set Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk is modelling with? Cross-check your answer and find more great photos in Chess Queen's post at www.chessqueen.com.
Glorious chess set inspired by ancient Greek culture and history
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
We have here a very special chess set from Greece! The sculptor is the talented Slawomir Wojtowicz who found inspiration in ancient Greek History to come up with this fabulous chess set. On both sides of the chessboard there are drawers for the storage of the figures. The whole set has been designed so as to be easily accessible.The chess set is handmade from several different kinds of high-quality wood: walnut burl, karelian birch, pine and lime-tree. The stone elements were created from the composites of the French company Acrystal Decor Carrara. The scenes carved on the sides of the chessboard and the chessmen refer to the architecture and arts of ancient Greece and characters of the Greek mythology.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Our friend Eve has sent us this nice photo of the chess set she made with her nephew Aidan in their front porch! They raided their family's recycling bin to make the pieces and then they played a few games. Cool!
Creative chess set by Italian glass artist Gianni Toso
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
We found this very creative chess set. Listen as curator Tina Oldknow describes Chess Set created by Italian glass artist Gianni Toso. In this whimsical yet functional chess set, a Jewish rabbi and a Roman Catholic bishop (the two kings) join a group of holy men and women holding Judeo-Christian symbols of faith, including crosses, Torahs, menorahs, and candles. Each chess piece has the appropriate costume, hairstyle, and accessory of its rank. Gianni Toso uses the metaphor of the game of chess to comment, with humor and tolerance, on the often controversial topic of religion.
Toso is best known for his carefully observed scenes, drawn from everyday life, that are made of numerous, highly detailed figurines. He is also a respected maestro who has influenced artists working in the technique of flameworking in the United States and abroad.
JLS member JB managed to outbid Hollywood actor Bruce Willis to win himself a chess set from the 2006 film Lucky Number Slevin, which starred Willis opposite John Hartnet, outbidding the actor to secure the item for £12,000.
"JB has always been a huge chess fanatic," a source told The Sun. He hadn't played it for a while but picked it up again when he was on tour with the band. "This set is particularly swanky and as JB is a big fan of the film he thought he'd invest."
Here is the soundtrack from the movie with the chess scene still. Enjoy.
JB reportedly wanted to win the chess set as an "early birthday present" ahead of his 25th birthday in December.
JLS are currently on track to achieve their sixth number one single this weekend after 'Take A Chance On Me' shot straight to number one in the midweek charts. The band release third studio album 'Jukebox' on 14th November.
Collectible chess set with Dr Who theme and lenticular printing!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
What makes this Dr Who chess set cool is the lenticular printing on the pieces. Each piece has two pictures of the character inside and they morph as you move them. Each set includes 32 lenticular animated chess pieces and the game board with the Pandorica symbol on it. Lenticular printing is a technology in which a lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles.
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior appears as a blue police box. Along with a succession of companions, he faces a variety of foes while working to save civilisations, help people, and right wrongs.
The ultimate chess set for fans of Doctor Who. Good guys team includes: 11th Doctor, Amy Pond, Rory Williams, River Song, the TARDIS, and the Judoon Bad guys team includes: Weeping Angel, Supreme Dalek, Cybermen, Silurian General Restac, Smiler, and the Pandorica Board looks like it's engraved with the pattern from the Pandorica Officially licensed Doctor Who chess collectible.
Rare scented chess set & a Spassky signed board for sale at Bonhams chess & games auction
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
Bonhams will offer a number of very rare and unusual items in the Chess Sets, Playing Cards and Games sale on the 14th September, taking place in the Knightsbridge saleroom. An unusual “Mary Chess” glass perfume bottle chess set is estimated to sell for £2,000 – 3,000. During the 1930s Mary Chess became synonymous with fine women’s perfume, and a selection of popular scents were bottled in glass chess pieces.
Together with a full set of unopened scent bottles, a number of letters written to Mary Chess Ltd are also included in the sale. The Queen Mother owned a similar set and letters from her lady in waiting and financier thanking Mary Chess for the “magnificent chess set” along with a letter from the Queen of Sweden’s lady in waiting thanking the company for the “useful and wonderful products” will all be offered with the scent bottles.
A Spassky-Fischer silver and silver-gilt
chess set. Photo: Bonhams.
A further highlight of the sale is a rare “Spassky-Fischer” silver and silver-gilt chess set designed by the American Director Cy Enfield in 1972. Best known for his 1964 film “Zulu”, starring Michael Caine, Endfield was commissioned to design set to commemorate the Chess World Championship of 1972 between Fischer and Spassky. Estimated to sell for £2,000 – 3,000, the set is one of a rare limited edition of six and is also signed by Boris Spassky.
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12th Women's World Chess Champion
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