5 Cool Chess Pieces to Add to Your Collection
Chess has not only captured minds through its gameplay but also through the amazing craftsmanship of its pieces. The world of cool and artistic chess pieces awaits both enthusiasts and collectors who want to go deeper and explore beyond the traditional Staunton design. Let’s check out some unique and stylish chess pieces that go beyond the ordinary to add a touch of artistry and flair to your collection.
The Timeless Allure of Bone Chess Pieces
In chess, the use of bone as a material for crafting pieces has an undeniable allure, which blends tradition with artistry in a quite unique way. Bone pieces, carefully crafted and polished, offer quite an exceptional experience. The material has grain and texture, providing a distinctive aesthetic and visual richness that resonates with chess enthusiasts and collectors.
Bone chess pieces have roots that trace back centuries, reflecting the enduring appeal of this material. It has been embraced among craftsmen for its versatility, which allows intricate detailing that enhances the overall design of each piece.
Bone chess pieces come in various yet very distinctive designs. The Cologne Luxury set is a brilliant example that features a 6.0” King with a 1.6” diameter base. Each piece from the set is carved out of camel bone and naturally weighted with luxurious billiard cloth base pads. You can choose between three variants: green, red, and black bone paired with natural bone for the White player.
Camaratta Chess Pieces: A Collector’s Delight
Camaratta pieces attract the attention of enthusiasts and collectors alike as a testament to the fusion of art and chess. Renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, Camaratta pieces are the brainchild of Frank Camaratta, a master artisan celebrated in chess.
What sets these pieces apart is their unique design and the emphasis on history and historical accuracy. These pieces exude a timeless elegance by drawing inspiration from classic chess sets of the past while being cherished objects embodying the chess world's rich history and craftsmanship.
The 1849 Camaratta Collection is a cool chess set you can check out. Crafted to replicate the design and proportions of the original Staunton pattern, it is a full tournament-sized set which features a 4.4” king and pieces hand-carved out of the highest-grade materials, such as genuine ebony, Indian rosewood, lacquered boxwood, and natural boxwood.
Themed Chess Pieces: Where Art and Strategy Converge
Themed chess sets go beyond mere game components; they tell stories and create immersive experiences with every move. They can serve as both functional game elements and captivating works of art. Let’s check out some of the most interesting themed chess pieces you can see on our website.
The Isle of Lewis Pieces
These pieces are replicas of the originals that were discovered on the Isle of Lewis off the West Coast of Scotland, now housed safely in the British Museum of London in Edinburgh. The Isle of Lewis pieces are also featured in the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. But how were these pieces discovered?
In 1831, the sea carried away a sandbank on the Isle of Lewis, uncovering a mysterious building that had been buried under the sand. A peasant who worked nearby found what he concluded to be “a collection of elves and gnomes”, and fled home in horror due to a superstition in Lewis that had survived in a powerful form. However, he returned soon after and took the figures home. He later sold them to a local collector who realized they were chessmen.
There were 78 pieces, 67 of which are now in the British Museum while the rest is in the National Museum in Edinburgh. Our website features multiple variations of The Isle of Lewis pieces, which mainly differ by the color used for Black player pieces.
The Pyrenees Series from The Val Gardena Collection
The woodcarving legacy in the Val Gardena region of Italy boasts a rich history that spans almost 500 years and originates in the early 17th century. According to historical records, the tradition emerged independently within two peasant families - the Vinazer family in Pescota, and the Trobinger family of Ciancel.
Initially crafting practical items like toys and tools for supplementary income during harsh winters, the woodcarvings garnered tremendous success, evolving from a means of survival to a flourishing regional industry.
Within several generations of woodcarving, the Val Gardena region has become a leader in Italian woodcarving. Mainly due to its newfound reputation, many master craftsmen who honed their skills at well-known art workshops and academies across Europe relocated to this region and brought with them their unique influences and inspirations.
Today, the skilled craftsmen of Val Gardena continue these ancient traditions with products that combine historical flavor with the delicacy of art. The Pyrenees Series from the House of Stanton are slightly taller figures with a 6.25” King with a 1.75” diameter base and are recommended for 3.0” chessboards.
Alice in Wonderland Chess Pieces
Alice is a character from two famous stories written by Lewis Caroll, a lecturer of mathematics at Christ Church, Oxford. He wrote those stories, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” to amuse and entertain the young children Church, but their mothers persuaded Lewis to have them published.
The Alice in Wonderland Chess Pieces on our website are made from polyresin, offering the feel and weight of solid stone, but with the durability of plastic. They also feature a 3.5” King with a 1.3” base diameter. The set comes with 32 chess pieces, but note that the board is not included.
Roman Themed Chess Pieces
The founding of the Roman Empire, also known today as “the eternal city”, goes back to the very early days of civilization. According to modern historians, Rome was founded in 625 BC, although the legends say it was founded in 753 BC.
You can find various Roman-themed chess pieces in the market, including the Roman-Themed Chess Pieces Set on the House of Stanton. Its king is the recreation of Julius Caesar in the Roman period, while the queen is a lady of noble birth in a typical dress. The Bishop carries the emblem of the Legion, while the Rook represents a Roman garrison tower.
The pieces are heavy-weighted, made from polyresin, and feature a 4.25” King with a 1.3” diameter base. The polyresin material offers the feel and weight of a solid stone while featuring the durability of the plastic.
DGT-Enabled Chess Pieces: Bridging the Analog-Digital Divide
DGT-enabled pieces represent an exciting integration of timeless gameplay with cutting-edge technology.
Each piece is equipped with sensors that detect movement, enabling automatic and accurate movement tracking. These pieces are compatible with certain electronic chessboards and software, which allows real-time analysis, online play, and even live streaming of games.
Being an exact reproduction of the 1970s-era Dubrovnik Chess set, which was made popular and often played by Bobby Fischer, the DGT Projects Enabled Electronic Chess Set - Dubrovnik Series is quite an interesting set that features sturdier bases and reinforced collars on all pieces to withstand years of use.
The set comes with a 3.75” King and pieces of 1.75” diameter base. They are hand-crafted by master artisans and heavily weighted with luxurious billboard cloth pads. It also features three variants of pieces for the Black player, which are Golden Rosewood, Indian Rosewood, and Ebonized. However, note that the electronic chessboard needs to be purchased separately.
For those interested in electronic chessboards, the DGT Pegasus Electronic e-Board could be an great choice.
Giant Chess Pieces: Where Strategy Meets Grandeur
We couldn’t help but mention giant chess pieces, which transform the traditional game into a larger-than-life spectacle. Imagine knights standing at a knee height and kings commanding attention with their towering presence on a board whose scale defies convention.
Apart from their aesthetic allure, giant chess pieces also redefine the game's physicality. Since they are used on a larger board, a game with those pieces encourages players to move and physically engage with the strategic battlefield. Their grandiosity makes each move feel monumental and turns every game into a captivating performance.
You can check a variety of giant chess pieces on our website under the Giant Chess Pieces category. Each piece is made of durable, hollow plastic, which can be filled for extra weight. These pieces can also be a nice decoration for your home, event, or club.
Conclusion
Expanding your chess collection comes with possibilities as diverse as the game itself. Each set features a unique blend of artistry and design, inviting players to experience the game beyond moves and captures. Whether you are a seasoned player seeking a new challenge or a collector with an eye for beauty, the cool chess pieces that we mentioned invite you to explore and elevate your chess experience, lifting the game to a completely new level.