chess

Chess Board by Paul Smith

Chess is about as classic a game as they come. But with that kind of enduring nature comes a certain rigidity in design. Sure, there have been all sorts of variations on the theme, but they're all checkered. And so is this one, of course, but recognizing that what the game really needed was more stripes, Paul Smith has lent his trademark motif to the board.

The hand-made leather chess board is distinguished by its striped trim around the side, Paul Smith autograph on the top and a base covered in purple suede. The lacquered purple and black pieces come in a sycamore wood box, and the board comes in a black leather envelope. The privilege of ownership will set you back about $900.

[Source: Paul Smith via Acquire]

Tags: chess, chess board, chessboard, game, paul smith

Pricey Handmade Chess Set Made Entirely of Legos

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Art

Chess is a sophisticated game that often lends itself to rare and expensive materials but for this version designer Derek Seiple chose to create a chess set out of common plastic black and white Legos. LEGOs might be common (who hasn't build a Lego fortress at some point in their lives?) but what they lack in intrinsic value they seem to more than make up for in nostalgia and collectability (as Wired pointed out this set costs more than a Macbook Air). The design takes almost 4000 lego bricks to create and the board is made using a special "no studs on top" technique so the squares have a smooth surface. The board measures 22 3/4" square by 1" thick and the King stands 4 1/2" tall. Each set is made to order and can be done in any color combination, with a lead time of about three weeks. Order now for the Lego-lover on your Christmas list. $1,295

Gallery: LEGO Chess Set

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Tags: board games, chess, games, gifts, holidash, holiday gifts, lego, legos

Ralph Lauren Hammond Chess Set

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Chess boards are one of the most artistic and expressive games a person can own, often becoming part of a room's decor scheme and its design serving to say a little something about the owner. Ralph Lauren's Hammond Chess Set takes a sleek, minimalistic approach by serving up the classic game in contemporary blackened nickel, black leather and walnut. Of course the box is also meant to hold and store all the pieces and, designated a rare collector's item, each board is numbered on a logo-etched plaque under the lid. 16" x 16" x 2 1/2", $1995.

Via Bornrich

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Tags: board games, chess, game, games, ralph lauren

Queen's Silver Jubilee Chess Set from Geoffrey Parker

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

A previous winner of the coveted Design Council Award, the Queen's Silver Jubilee chess set wouldn't disappoint any royal gamer. Each piece is made of solid sterling silver-gilt, five micron gold plated, and hand inlaid with Dauphin leather trim as is the board. You can have your choice of sterling silver, sterling silver-gilt or 18K gold along with a variety of color options for the Dauphin leather. This stunning set is housed in two suede-lined, leather book boxes and ranges in price from $53,735 to $62,450 available from Zontik.

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Tags: chess, chess set, geoffrey parker, GeoffreyParker, queens silver jubilee chess, QueensSilverJubileeChess, silver chess set, SilverChessSet, zontik

Sophie Matisse $16,000 Chess Set

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

Like her famous great-grandfather, Henri, Sophie Matisse is a painter and like her step-grandfather Marcel Duchamp she embraces a certain practicality. She's already worked on hand-painted perfume bottles. Now she has created a $16,000 chess set as part of the "The Art of the Game" exhibition. The exhibition will take place at Beyond the Border International Contemporary Art Fair San Diego, scheduled for September 2-4, 2009 at The Grand Del Mar. Five sets have been created each with its own design. Sophie Matisse is represented by Francis Nauman Fine Art in New York.

Tags: chess, matisse, sophie matisse, SophieMatisse

Endangered Parrots of the World Chess Set

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

The Endangered Parrots of the World chess set from Grant Dawson gives chess a whole new avian spin, Each of the playing pieces represents a different species of endangered or threatened parrot. The box for the set is made of Forest Stewardship Council certified walnut and maple finished with a gold-plated border featuring the endangered Laelia Xanthina orchid. The set is available with a sterling silver and gold-plated birds or in a set with a brilliantly colored enamel finish. The enameled set sells for $4,790.

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Tags: birds, chess, chess set, ChessSet, games, grant dawson, GrantDawson, parrots

Steve Vigar City Skylines Chess Set

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Chess sets come in all shapes and sizes, and this one designed by Steve Vigar makes a statement by pitting famous cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco against each other. Each piece is unique and handcrafted of exotic woods, with the back row pieces forming the chosen city's skyline and front row pawns representing significant architectural styles. The board is made of solid zebra wood and whangee, and the felt-lined storage drawer underneath is an optional addition. $2,100

Hm, now which two cities to choose?

Via acquire

Gallery: Steve Vigar Chess Set

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Tags: chess, chicago, new york, NewYork, san francisco, SanFrancisco, skyline, skylines, steven vigar, StevenVigar, vigar

The Mammoth Ivory Collector Series Luxury Chess Set

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

There aren't many games in the world that are bought by people who not only have no idea how to play them, but who realistically have no intention of ever learning. I know how to play chess, although not very well, but I would love to have a nice set someday if only because they look so regal and elegant as part of a room's decor. This chess set, the Mammoth Ivory Collector Series, is made of 40,000 year old mammoth ivory. I'm surprised that ivory that old and from mammoths can even be used for things like this as opposed to being studied or kept in a museum somewhere! Regardless, it certainly is beautiful. And to think of all the history there is in each piece...amazing. $9,999

Via BornRich

Gallery: The Mammoth Ivory Collector Series Luxury Chess Set

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Tags: chess, chess set, ChessSet, game, games, ivory, mammoth

Wobble Chess Set

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets

Generally chess is a serious, quiet pursuit, but this Wobble Chess Set from Arango brings a sort of silent whimsy to an otherwise very serious game atmosphere. The board rises and falls, looking much like restless waves, and each chess piece is rounded and weighted to fit the concave center of each wooden space. Originally designed by Adin Mümma in 2006, the set is made of maple and walnut hardwood with chrome-plated zinc accents. A unique and perfect gift as a first chess set or for a long time chess collector. $289

Gallery: Wobble Chess Set

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Tags: chess, chess set, ChessSet, wimsy, wobble

F1 Chess Set

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

I had no idea that F1 racing fans were also chess lovers, but there must be at least a few of them out there. And for those who read Luxist, this chess set is for you. The Renault F1 Team Collection Chess Set is made from parts of real F1 cars - not big parts, mind you, but parts nonetheless. Materials used include aircraft-grade aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber, titanium, sterling silver and leather, all from various parts of the suspension, hubs, wings and cockpit. Price: £21,000 ($39,000).

[via Sybarites]

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Tags: chess, chess set, expensive chess set, f1, f1 team

PebbleArt Illuminated Chess Tables

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Ever since I saw the light-up tables from Thiessen Design at CA Boom, I've been on a light-up kick. PebbleArt does light-up onyx coffee tables but they also do cool chess set tables that use back lit translucent onyx with a shadow square design. The chess sets come with glass pieces and are available in a variety of onyx surfaces and woof finishes. The tables sell for $174.95.

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Tags: chess, decor, design, home, onyx, stone, table

Bid To Play Chess With Garry Kasparov

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

It's the ultimate challenge for a chess fan the chance to play against Garry Kasparov, the highest-ranked player ever. The Kasparaov Chess Foundation is auctioning a game to take place on June 12 at Manhattan's New York Athletic Club. The 25 highest bidders can invites three guests to join them in the prizewinning evening which includes a cocktail hour, dinner, and photos and autographs with Garry. The auction will be held in two sessions starting on April 21 and May 2.The Kasparov Chess Foundation seeks to bring the educational benefits of chess to children through classes and after-school programs. Bids start at $2000 per slot.

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Tags: auction, chess, garry kasparov, GarryKasparov

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