Tag Archives: chess set

A Modern Chess Set To Serve The Modern Needs

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Chess, the ancient game of strategy and intellect, has a rich history dating back to seventh-century India, where they called it chaturanga, evolving into the familiar rules we know today in Europe by the 15th century. Over the centuries, the materials used to craft chess sets have varied from clay to metal and, more recently, plastic. However, a recent chess design challenges the norm by embracing sustainability by going back and resorting to wood as well as minimalism to cater to contemporary choices.

Designer: Begüm Kılınç

In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, the chess set design opts for birch wood, deviating from the prevalent use of plastic in the market. This conscious choice not only aligns with eco-friendly values but also adds a touch of authenticity and craftsmanship to the pieces.

The evolving trend of minimalism has permeated various aspects of design, now including chess sets. The pieces in this particular set showcase a minimalist approach, a departure from the ornate designs seen in traditional sets. While this may present a slight learning curve for those accustomed to intricate pieces, it adds a contemporary touch to the timeless game.

The minimalist approach in the design might be less intuitive for traditional players initially, as each piece has a unique, modern aesthetic. However, this adaptation encourages players to appreciate the individuality of each chess piece, fostering a deeper connection with the game.

One of the standout features of this chess set is its portability. The design ingeniously transforms into a compact, laptop-bag-like form, making it easy to carry for impromptu games at picnics, school, playdates, or even around the house. This nod to modern lifestyles aligns with the increasing demand for convenience without compromising on the elegance of the game.

The chess set is available in two colors and can be painted in more variety paints, providing users with the flexibility to choose a set that suits their preferences and surroundings. This touch of personalization enhances the overall experience, making the chess set a stylish addition to any setting.

In a digital age, the enduring appeal of chess persists, and this innovative design breathes new life into the classic game. By embracing sustainable materials, minimalist aesthetics, and convenient portability, this chess set not only pays homage to the game’s ancient roots but also paves the way for a more modern and environmentally conscious approach to chess set design.

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Rimowa Chess Attache offers a luxurious way to carry your luxurious game pieces

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Chess is a game that spans centuries and while the basic mechanics haven’t changed much, it has taken various forms over the course of its very long history. Chess sets today come in a variety of styles, from cheap plastic to fragile class, from classic designs to abstract geometric shapes. Some sets, usually the expensive ones, are kept safely at home, while others go wherever their owners go, ready to challenge a fellow enthusiast at a moment’s notice. Rimowa, best known for making premium luggage and bags, is trying its hand at striking a middle ground with a high-quality aluminum chess set housed in a signature Rimowa case, ready to travel and make you the envy of all your chess colleagues.

Designer: Rimowa

Portable chess sets do exist, but the most common design you might see is a thick wooden board that folds in the middle to transform into a miniature suitcase for the wooden pieces. It’s practical and, to be fair, a bit sustainable, but also terribly uninspiring. Nothing lights a chess enthusiast’s fire better than a captivating and elegant chess set, one that embodies the long-lasting legacy of a game that had enchanted and beguiled even monarchs.

The new Rimowa Chess Attache is both a homage to the classic chess design but also a rejuvenation with a more modern aesthetic. Each chess piece is crafted from black and silver (for white) anodized aluminum, emblazoned with a laser-engraved Rimowa monogram. The board, though made of wood, is wrapped in leather materials and has magnets that keep the pieces steadily in place until you or your opponent is ready to make the next move. That board’s aluminum frame also bares Rimowa’s logo, signifying its place in the brand’s selection of premium products.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Rimowa product if there is no travel container involved, and indeed, a major part of the Chess Attache’s appeal is exactly that attache case. The small suitcase’s rounded edges and ribbed faces carry the hallmarks of Rimowa’s iconic design language. Inside, the chess pieces like in compartments cut out from foam and a suede-like microfiber, securing them in place until the time comes for them to be taken out and played. A delicate protective leather layer then sits in between the pieces and the magnetic wooden board that’s secured to the attache with premium leather straps.

Of course, there’s also plenty of Rimowa branding to be found inside, from the black leather lining down to the monogram-engraved snaps of the leather straps. Every inch of the design screams luxury product, and it’s probably good that a metallic lock system is integrated directly into the case’s shell. Whether it’s the chess set itself or the case that carries them, this Rimowa Chess Attache elevates not just your game but also your traveling experience.

The post Rimowa Chess Attache offers a luxurious way to carry your luxurious game pieces first appeared on Yanko Design.

This beeswax chess set literally burns down without a trace of its existence in time

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Chess sets have evolved over the centuries. We have been through really nice, modern sets, some backed with AI and others made from various sorts of materials, but one thing they all have in common is that they become mundane over time. Not that they lose shape and horses become pawns; the time makes them bland, such that the eyes stop wanting and the hands don’t desire to make the next move on them.

If your chess set, essentially, the chess pieces have lost their luster and are getting too familiar with long-term usage, you can change the set! When you are considering the swap, spend a moment to reflect, and if the thought allows, go ecological with your choice. Presenting a worthy case is the FAUM’s new beeswax chess set that burn down without a trace of its existence in time.

Designer: FAUM

FAUM is a Sydney-based candle manufacturer that thrives on the innovative use of beeswax to create natural candles with minimal effect on the ecosystem. The sculptural candle-making for the Aussie manufacturer has reached a point where the ancient war-board game has been realized from beeswax and it leaves a lasting impression until you play to leave the opponent’s army burned in defeat.

Fancy as it may sound, and as dramatic the gameplay may seem; there is always an element of caution to go with this chess set. If you manage to speed past the burning wicks of your infantry, you can win the game on the usually fashioned 64 square board. Each square has to be assembled at home and together they give you a board measuring roughly 16- x 16 inches.

The set itself comprises the regular 32 pieces, each measuring 2- to 3-inches in height. The board and the pieces are all hand-poured with beeswax sourced from independent beekeepers in Northern New South Wales. The beeswax used (FAUM notes) is obtained without disturbing the beehives and the honey production. Since there is no use of additives, the chess set and piece made from beeswax arrive in the natural pigmentation of beeswax: light Ivory and dark yellow. The former is obtained from bees feeding on farm flowers, while the latter comes from bees that feed on eucalyptus.

Since this game of chess will include little bloodbaths and more fire, the chess pieces are bound to fade out. The company provides refills of beeswax to go into your pieces so the game can go on even after the burns of defeat. Each add-on costs AUD 20, while the chess set itself is priced at AUD 880. If you are in a dilemma of burning your hands at the war on board, you can gift it to yourself; for it is bound to look safe and equally pleasing – just sitting there – in the room.

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This Unconventional Chess Set chooses ‘Peace’ and ‘Truce’ over War and Destruction

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Chess, often considered as the game of intellect, has been a canvas for storytelling throughout history. It weaves narratives of wars and strategies and tales that mirror the complexities of human existence. The characters, like kings, queens, knights, and pawns, carry the weight of history and symbolism. However, in the hands of visionary artist Taras Yoom, chess transcends its traditional boundaries, stepping into a realm where two kingdoms declare a truce – a symbolic new stage in life.

Designer: Taras Yoom

Yoom’s creation, “Another Kingdom: Light Stage,” is not your average chess set; it’s a handcrafted collectible that breathes life into the timeless game. Yoom, known for his work with Yoomoota, introduces a limited edition collection of 21 chess sets that embody a harmonious exchange between two realms. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each set is a masterpiece of 3D printing from photopolymer plastic, molding, sculpting, polymer casting, and acrylic paint detailing.

The color palette, dominated by light pastels and blues, mirrors the essence of the truce and the exchange of knowledge and goods between the two kingdoms. The fusion of acrylic, metal, plastic, silicone, and wood adds a tactile richness to the pieces, making them not just strategic tools but also works of art. To further elevate the chess sets, Yoom incorporates a digital secret in the form of an NFC chip. This digital certificate validates, authenticates, and records the ownership and provenance of each artwork, ensuring a unique connection to its collector.
The Another Kingdom: Light Stage chess sets serve as a tangible link to the Yoomoota universe, specifically the planet Us2BeBetter.

According to Yoom’s narrative, the inhabitants of this celestial body are on the cusp of a new story, one that avoids conflict and destruction. The chessboard becomes the stage for this narrative, a conceptual landscape where pieces rise on two mountains, guarding a coveted artifact resembling an old pocket watch. This artifact possesses the unique power to temporarily revert the past, offering players the chance to rewrite history as they engage in the age-old game.

Describing Another Kingdom: Light Stage as the dawn of a new era in the development of the Yoomoota kingdom, Taras Yoom infuses the chess set with a festive ambiance reminiscent of an endless fair. It goes beyond the physical victories dictated by classical chess rules, offering a symbolic triumph through the discovery of a hidden treasure at the board’s center. The chess set personifies not just a game but a celebration of peace and the rewriting of destinies.

As the game unfolds, players or residents are presented with a unique opportunity to reshape the narrative of their world. The alien-like creatures that inhabit this planet add an element of otherworldliness to the playful chess set, transporting it into a realm beyond our own – the vibrant and imaginative Yoomoota.

In the intricate craftsmanship of Another Kingdom: Light Stage, Taras Yoom invites chess enthusiasts and art collectors alike to partake in a journey where strategy meets symbolism, and where the truce declared on the chessboard echoes into the vast expanse of Yoomoota.

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