High quality chess sets from the chess set experts - ChessCentral,
the chess shop you can buy with confidence. Whether you are looking for
plastic chess sets, tournament chess sets, wooden chess sets, themed
chess sets or premier chess sets you will find a complete selection at
ChessCentral. Not sure what chess set is right for you? We know the
choices in chess pieces and chess boards can be overwhelming! Let us
help you in your chess set selection - just send us an email at: email@chesscentral.com and include the answers to some easy questions:
1) Price range 2) Material (Plastic, Wood, Brass, Marble, Alabaster, Ceramic) 3) Intended Use (Everyday play, Decorative, Family Heirloom, Collectible) 4) Theme or Style (Staunton, Antique, Historical, Kid's Theme)
Articles on Chess Sets, Chess Pieces and Chess Boards
There are so many choices on the market today. How do
you buy a chess set (pieces and board) that is right for you? A chess
set has to meet your needs, so what type of chess set are you looking for -
decorative, practical or both? ChessCentral has put together the
following information to help you in your buying decision. A chess set
and board should reflect your personal style and taste, as well as fit
your budget
Chess Sets and Chess Pieces Learn
the history of chess and chess game pieces. Bill Wall takes you on a
journey through time and space, from the origins chess itself to the
modern chess pieces you can use in your own home. Fascinating stuff!
Chess Sets, Pieces, Boards - The Wood Are
black pieces preferable to Rosewood? Not really, it is a matter of
personal choice. Both are used in tournament play. Black wood chess sets
are more common than Rosewood sets, but they are generally less
expensive (except, of course, for Ebony pieces). Rosewood is an
excellent wood for chessmen; it is very resilient and does not
chip easily.
The Staunton Chess Pieces The
Staunton design chess pieces are the standard pattern for chess sets
used in all world chess federations and United States Chess Federation
events. Staunton chess pieces are the "normal" chessmen we see
everywhere, the benchmark look; other styles may be classed as
decorative.
Chess Set Quick Facts
Caring for Your Wood Chess Set
Wooden chessmen should be lightly
waxed and buffed once or twice per year, using only a high quality
paste wax with a cotton cloth or cheesecloth. We recommend Liberon's
Paste Wax. Please make sure that you carefully follow the manufacturer's
instructions on the paste wax, as improper waxing could ruin the finish
on your Chessmen. Above all else - use the wax sparingly and allow the
wax to dry before buffing. You should NEVER use a liquid polish.
In addition, your wood chess board should be lightly waxed and buffed
once or twice a year, using a good quality furniture polish (such as
Minwax) and a good cotton cloth or cheesecloth. Your chess board should
never be dry-wiped and you should avoid all polishes that contain
silicone as this can damage the finish on the chess board. Above all
else - use the wax sparingly and allow the wax to dry before buffing.
You should never use a liquid polish.
Differences in Ebonized Wood and Ebony Wood Chess Pieces
Ebonization is the process by which Ebonized Chessmen are created. In
this process, Boxwood (the wood used to create the White pieces) chess
pieces are treated with a special stain to turn them jet black in color.
When done properly, brand new Ebonized Chessmen are nearly
indistinguishable from genuine Ebony chessmen. Ebonized chess pieces are
often referred to as faux Ebony,
because it has the look and feel of real Ebony wood at a fraction of
the cost. Over time, the Ebonizing can wear off on the sharp corners and
details of the chessmen, but that is easily restored using a black
marker.
