Unique Chess Sets

If someone asked you what a chess board looks like, you’d probably think of the cardboard fold-up board you used for checkers and chess as a child.  But these boards come in a wide range of textures and finishes, and they are designed to be used in many different locations.

The Perfect Chess Board For Beginners

If you are new to chess and you want to try it out before committing to a more expensive set, a good quality thick cardboard fold up board is your best option.  You can either buy a basic chess set on its own, or buy a games compendium that has chess as one of the components.  In this case the chess board will probably have a backgammon board or similar game board printed on the reverse.

What About More Advanced Chess Players?

If you enjoy and play chess on a regular basis, you’ll want to invest some money in a better chess board with better and more heavily weighted pieces.  Some chess sets are designed to be seen, and many expert chess players display theirs as an ornament.

15" Drueke Walnut Chess Board

A luxury chess board can be made from many different materials.  Two opposing shades of wood – walnut and oak for example – can be made into a chess board which usually has a highly polished finish.  Other materials commonly used are glass, metal and ivory.

What If You’re Going On Holiday?

If you enjoy playing chess on the move, you might like to invest in a chess board with built in storage for all your chess pieces.  You could try something completely different and buy a travel chess set.  These are usually magnetic and ideal for the beach.

Alternatively, how does the idea of rolling up your chess board sound?  As strange as it may seem, this is now possible with new wipe clean nylon boards.  These are perfect for travelling as they can be stored easily in a convenient space.

The other alternative is to buy an electronic chess game. 

Ivan II Electronic Chess Set

These are programmable to play at several different levels of difficulty, and the pieces usually take the form of pegs which slot into their places on the chess board and indicate your move to the computer.

As you can see, buying a chess board is not a decision to make lightly.  Consider how often you play the game and how much you are willing to spend.  Once you know the answers, you will be able to buy the best board for you and your needs.

History of chess Is Shrouded In Doubt About Who Exactly Invented The Game

There is no real clear cut notion available from studying the history of chess as to who invented the game because many a country is laying claim to having invented the game and some of these countries are China, Egypt, Greece as well as Uzbekistan and believe it or not, even Ireland. However, there is strong evidence that points in the direction of sixth century India as being the originator of the game of chess whence from, according to early history of chess,  it was refined in Persia to later wended its way into Europe and ultimately came to America.

‘The King Is Finished’

According to experts, the word chess owes its origins to the Persian term “shah” (King) and “checkmate” or ‘shah mat’ which is the Persian term used to mean ‘the King is finished’. One of the notable aspects of chess is that it does not involve any dice being used, and so no luck element is present in the game. According to Indian folklore, it was invented by a wise man who was asked by a king to make a game that would sharpen his mental abilities and which did not require the element of luck being present in the game.

The history of chess certainly points to India as being the originator, though claims that are vehemently put forward by other countries of which China is a prime example dispute this claim. The Chinese claim that their own version of Go that is older as well as more difficult to master has been around since 2000 B.C. and it also does not require any dice thus making a strong case for it as being the inspiration behind the game of chess.

There is a further twist to the history of chess as Iran or Persia as it was then known also claims that chess was derived from its very own invention of the game of backgammon and can even refer to writings as well as poems that place a date further than the Indian ones. And, one can be sure that this version of chess is the one that has made its way to Europe, though one still does not have any clear understanding about where the Persian version itself drew its inspiration from.

In any case, much like golf, there are many claimants to being the inventors of the game of chess and thus the history of chess has yet to clearly make it clear as to who among these countries including the Arabs, Persian, Greeks as well as the Indians can really be said to have invented the game. To lend credence to India as being the originator of chess it should be noted that it was the only country having three animals in its cavalry that represented the knight, bishop as well as rook and these animals were the horse, camel and elephant.