Shortly after the holiday season, our email inbox become flooded with post-holiday sales specials. While taking a tour around the internet chess stores, we came across some strange chess sets. So without further ado, here’s a short description of the sets and where to find them:
French Staunton Pieces
These wooden pieces are listed in the clearance section on www.chessusa.com It only takes a quick look to understand why – they are hideous (and cheap) looking. The bigger mystery is why they cost $34.95. It must be because of the fine craftmanship that went into the knight. Look at the intricate detail of the carving. An where else can you find such a nice dull finish?
Texas Chess Set
Not to be outdone, the folks at www.chesshouse.com have a wide selection of novelty sets. To be fair, we all know that these types of sets are more for show. Oftentimes it’s nearly impossible to play a game with a novelty set, since it’s hard to distinguish between the different pieces. That being said, take a gander at the Texas Chess Set. Hey, it’s no French Staunton set, it’s priced to sell. For only $29.95 you can have one of your very own. Try and explain to your friends why the state flag is the rook and the steer is the knight (at least that’s what we think they are). It’s certainly obvious that the oil derrick is the bishop!
LED Chess Set
Here’s an item that really does look cool. The pieces are equipped with LED lights which are illuminated by the custom board. Of course, we cannot vouch for the quality of the set without seeing an actual model.
Looking at the photography and the accompanying YouTube video, it seems that the set looks the best when the room is dark. That’s great for the pieces, but could cause some issues if you need to get a good look at the board. On the other hand, it glows!
If you would like one of your very own, visit www.uncommongoods.com. It can be yours for $55.00.
Chess Drinking Game
Here’s another unique item from the folks at www.chessusa.com. On the positive side, the images of the pieces are clearly marked, so you won’t get the pieces mixed up. The negative is that the rules say, you have to do a shot for every piece that you capture! Unless you’re playing an old Russian who can hold his vodka, the best play may be to sacrifice material until your opponent gets plastered. By that time, nobody will care (or remember) who won or lost the game!
Believe it or not, this is the biggest value of the bunch. It only costs $29.95 for the set and board. However the board is only 9 5/8″ x 9 5/8″, so you won’t have to reach too far to find the next shot.
