The House of Staunton is proud to offer the Circa 1961 Baku Wood Chess Set. Enter the intriguing realm of Soviet chess history with the renowned "Baku" chess set, a name coined by Western enthusiasts tracing its origins to the 1961 Soviet Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR. Despite regional debates among collectors, the allure of these pieces extends far beyond their geographical roots. In the eyes of esteemed American collector Mike Ladzinski, this set reigns supreme, earning the title of his favorite Soviet design. The enchantment lies in the unique bishops, whimsical knights, sturdy rooks, and regal kings and queens, each embellished with BFII elements that exude a captivating board presence.
This chess set seamlessly melds modernist design with a touch of Ancient Rus, a fusion evident in its simplified conical structures that morph into pedestals supporting the piece signifiers. The royal pieces, connected to their pedestals by a double-collar connector reminiscent of basic Staunton design, add a touch of classical elegance. The rooks, with sweeping curved tower walls, harmonize with the base and stem structures of the other pieces, creating a visual symphony that draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of Russian history. The knights, carved in a style reminiscent of a 15th-century horse discovered in ancient Novgorod, are aptly dubbed "Novgorod Knights," adding a historical flourish to this captivating chess set.
As with all of our Chess sets, the Circa 1961 Baku Wood Chess Set exemplifies a perfect combination of distinct beauty and functionality. It has been designed to withstand the rigors of practical play while maintaining an elegance which has become the hallmark of a House of Staunton chess set. The design, quality and craftsmanship of this set is UNMATCHED by any set of Chessmen in its price range. Nothing even comes close!
The Chessmen are new and each set consists of 34 Chessmen, including four Queens, a standard that was introduced by The House of Staunton in 1993.
Note: Information above was provided by Mr. Charles W. Grau who is an expert and avid collector of Soviet and late Tsarist Chess Sets. These chess pieces are an exact reproduction of the original set in Mr. Grau's collection.
For additional information, please visit Sovietchesssets.com
