How ChessBaron Came About

A 3 year old video showing how ChessBaron Chess Sets came about

Chess with dice as pieces

Duell chess is the chess variant played with dice as the piece. Here the number over the dice represents the kingdom. The two different colors separate the army. It uses a board of size 8*9. The aim is to capture the ‘key piece’ which is equivalent to king.

The pieces are arranged in 8 rows of 9 squares in the form of 5 1 2 6 1 6 2 1 5. The center piece 1 denotes the ‘key piece’. The pieces with the face denoting 3 are arranged as soldiers. The pieces are moved in the direction along with turning the face. Hence the number over the face changes in every move. The move is usually with 90 degree. The aim is to capture key piece or occupy key square.

I only play 6 games of chess per day, will I ever be any good?

Playing hundreds of rounds of chess per day is not a guarantee that you will master the game itself. Just like any other sport, mastery of the game involves good coaching and good training materials. Of course, talent plays a significant part in the equation itself. But just like the belief of László Polgár, the father of grandmaster Susan Polgar and her two other sisters who are also masters of chess, geniuses are made, not born. One quality coaching session of chess every day is more effective than playing tens of games every day without proper guidance, coaching, and feedback. Moreover, be sure to play with people who are greater than you. You may lose the battles, but you will eventually win the war by gaining insight of the game even if you will lose all the time. Turn the loses into small steps in your continuing goal to learn something.

The Sidewinder Chess Set in Sheesham wood

This is the most exquisitely decorated non-theme chess set I have ever seen so far from ChessBaron. Even the pawns have unique personalities in them as they are also well-furnished with ornamentation. The sets can easily bring to mind pictures of cannibals in the forests from somewhere. I especially like the white pieces, the cream coloring is just right and each piece look immaculate. As expected, the knights receive more care and craftsmanship just like in any chess sets. All pieces look hardy enough worthy of cannibals they were patterned after. If you have a taste for the exotic, this set is your best choice. There is no doubt that this set is a true pride of ChessBaron.

Nice post on Chess.com

Thanks to George Duval for his recent post on Chess.com where he's referenced ChessBaron as a source of 'blunder proof' chess equipment. Blunder-proof (or blunderprone) is George's name on chess.com and on his own blog. Quite a character.

Weighted Russian Special Chess Set with 4.25 inch King

The Weighted Russian Special Chess Set with 4.25 inch King is a perfect blend of clear simplicity and Russian tradition. The neat lines are notably the most distinguishing factor that can set this set apart from other good chess sets from ChessBaron. The king accentuates its aristocratic look and feel with by its 4.25 inches height. The knight lucidly radiates confidence with its pretty hair lines and nice curves. All pieces are double weighted to ensure stability and easy movement on the board. The bottom of each piece is felt lined. To give ideal proportion, the squares on the board are a perfect 1.75 inch square each. The overall feminine design of Weighted Russian Special Chess Set with 4.25 inch King makes it an ideal present for women and other chess players looking for a less-manly appealing chess sets.

Compact Magnetic Travel Chess Set

Now this is the real travel chess set! The Compact Magnetic Travel Chess Set does not only give fun while you are away, but is can also showcase your taste for chess. Given with a lacquered finish, the board and the chess pieces are more than just toys. They are the best travel chess set at a great price around. The downside of this set is its size (3.5 by 7 inches (8.75 by 18 cm)). If you are the type who hates carrying something around, this one is not for you. If you sacrifice portability for style and functionality, this is your perfect choice. The pieces will pop out of their storage positions after you flip over the board. This set is cool, and in style--created simply for you.

Contemporary Modern chess set E2003

If you need a simple, yet striking design for a chess set, the Contemporary Modern chess set is the perfect choice. The set was made from golden brown sheesham, a favorite wood material by chess carvers. The name of the set suggests its contemporary look due to notable straight lines and an intentional omission of additional details. This one is an ideal choice for those who want a simple, functional chess set yet exhibiting taste and style. However, their overly simplistic feature is surely a turn off factor for those who wants intricate designs on a chess set. If you need a show off set with tastes for the contemporary, get Contemporary Modern chess set.

M7009 American Staunton in Black and White Chess Set with 4 inch King

It is hard to find top quality lacquer-painted chess sets today. The American Staunton in Black and White Chess Set with 4 inch King has a good lacquer finish. If you are looking for a good departure from the conventional, you need to get this one. If you also believe that life should be a black and white affair, then getting this set is the closest means of expression you can have. This set is made from fine chidar so you are assured of high value pieces that can last for several generations. You will know that the pieces are good because of their weight. Each piece of this set is heavily weighted to cater to your needs.

M3009 American Staunton in Dark Green-White Gloss Chess Set

Chess was a predominantly male game even when it was at its infancy. It was a favorite pastime of generals and the European ruling elite in the previous centuries. Even today, most players of this game are males. It is just natural that chess pieces are designed to appeal to male sensitivities like the American Staunton in Dark Green-White Gloss Chess Set. This set is a perfect gift for a husband, a father, a brother, or a boyfriend.  The bottom of each piece is lined with leather. The pieces themselves are carved from Blackened Chidor. This set can be expected to reach even after several generations, hence, making it a perfect family treasure in the future.

Chess Baron Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces

Collectors and chess players alike rarely find a good chess set that is made of crushed marble. In Chess Baron Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces, you will not only find quality but a healthy dose of history as well. The pieces are carved with courtly details and each one portrays a personality apart from the other. Just look at those weary horses bearing the knights on their backs! The white pieces show the nice combination of craftsmanship and choice of color. However, the black pieces are not that attractive. Overall, this chess set is still a fine one given its material and rich historical side. Perfect for history buffs who play chess from time to time.

M2039 Song of Solomon Bud Rosewood Chess Set

Chess can be played anywhere but there are times that you want to be one with nature by playing outside, especially in your garden. There is no perfect chess set available to indulge your wish than the Song of Solomon Bud Rosewood Chess Set. This highly ornamented set is carved from the bud rosewood only. This one is your perfect garden companion (together with a loved one of course). The designs are very symmetrical that each piece only gives you total delight whatever angle you are looking at. You can spend a long time just inspecting each piece and forget about the game for a while. With its reasonable price, you will also be smiling all day after you will get this set. 

M2030 Hannah Grand Staunton Ebonised Chess Set

There is nothing grand about this set aside from its name. First, it was made from some other wood except ebony through the process called ebonising. Although the finished product looks the same like ebony, with no clear signs for grains and almost like a black plastic, it is still essentially an imitation. Second, the carvings themselves are not that good especially on the knights--they looked to be smiling confusingly instead of trying to display a menacing grin. The only good thing about this set is its triple weight feature. Aside from that, the Hannah Grand Staunton Ebonised Chess Set is not even worth spending your time around with.

Globe Fret Weighted Chess Set 5.5 inch King

The Globe Fret Weighted Chess Set 5.5 inch King is named after the globe in the body of each piece. This unique feature in each piece makes it an excellent part of any good chess set collection. Putting those designs on the globe of each piece can easily be calculated to reach long man-hours since each piece was handcrafted to attain perfect resemblance to one another. I like the soulful stare of the knights! They look so gentle, unlike the usual depictions of mean knights in most sets. The king stands at an imposing 5.5 inches, clearly dominating the boards. Get your money's worth in this set. Grab it now!

When I play chess the pieces come alive!

As a 9 year old, when I play chess, it seems that the pieces are alive! I tell my dad, but he says its my imagination. But I'm sure I see the pieces move around! I think the pieces are trying to make me lose. I've lost every game since I first saw a pawn make a move without me touching it.  Sometimes I get scared when they move around the board, other times I laugh. I just want to tell myself this is all my imagination, but I'm just so sure I see the pieces alive. After my dad has won another game of chess, he says "We can only have one winner, the rest have to lose. Theres no point in getting upset about it, the next time you could be a winner instead." I know I should believe him about that, but I just get so angry when I lose every game because the pieces I play with make me lose, so I have every right to get upset about it.

When will chess champ Susan Polgar return my fan calls?

Susan Polgar is an Hungarian-born chess grandmaster who now lives in the US. She became the youngest female chess player to reach grandmaster status at age 15. Susan and her other two sisters, who are also excellent chess players, were coached by their father ever since they were little girls. In November 1986, Susan lost the number 1 spot in FIDE when a politically-motivated move was implemented to give all active female players 100 bonus ELO points. Susan now lives in Lubbock, Texas. If you are still waiting for her call, trash it. She's busy attending to her 2 children, her husband, and her Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence at Texas Tech University.

If I pray hard enough, will I get better at chess?

If you pray hard enough you won’t necessarily get better at chess, but you are on the right path! Keeping your mind in the game is always a good method to roll onto greatness, simply place your pieces and not only pray for the best, but practice, practice, practice! You can research other methods people have used, or come up with your own. Often times people use self training and find ways to play on their own for training purposes, or get a close friend to train with you. Now we even have technology to play online against random opponents, so you can get a different challenge each time!

A kids guide to chess, by Caroline Turner.

Chess is an enjoying game that gets you thinking. I am a 9 year old girl. I live in the UK and my dad is very fond of chess. Although I might want to watch TV or play games on my computer, chess is a much better way to spend your free time. My dad is teaching me chess, I love it. My brother and sister like chess too. So, in your free time, play a game of chess, its easy and fun and you'll love it.

Can a chess computer beat the best chess players?

 Most often, chess played on a square checkered board, be it, a very simple one or a very expensive, classy and handcrafted one, gives a player immense satisfaction. It is almost always said that what can be seen, heard, touched and felt is for real and gives your senses ultimate pleasure. But it is often not so, many computer fans or even expert chess players prefer computer chess. We or even the whole world watch live the performance of the players playing chess for real and not on the computer. So if one is a stickler for popularity or wants to become famous playing chess might think twice about his idea of playing chess on the ‘screen’.

Ever since the advent of digital computers in 1950’s chess enthusiasts and computer engineers have come together to build chess playing machines or computer programmes. “Programming a computer for playing chess”-was the ground breaking paper by Shannon in 1950.Many statisticians are of the belief the though computers might be able to beat even Grand Masters but not incessantly.

What is being involved in a chess club?

 A club means having people to play chess with. But it doesn’t mean just that. To many devotees of chess it is like their cult. They meet maybe once a week or during weekends…. and theses chess clubs usually have Speed Tournaments on weekends or lectures, casual games, simuls etcetera. There are millions of clubs like these all around the world- USA, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New-Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United-Kingdom, Uruguay. Chess is not just for experts, but also for beginners who want to learn the game.

The essentials of a chess club firstly are, Grand masters working full time, paying equal attention to each student. Chess related Tournament quality-sets of chess clocks, demo boards and a comprehensive chess library. Quiet comfortable classrooms with healthy atmosphere and individual chess sets.

Maybe if luck is on your side you could find yourselves a billionaire philanthropist, with extreme passion for chess to fund your club and donate a small fortune for it. If not, look for smaller sponsors you can be sure of. Students too, in your club need to be as enthusiastic and happy to be able to play chess, as the trainers or the Grand masters (if you are lucky enough to hire one, that is,) are to teach or guide them.

There are various stages to build a quality chess club:

-Start-up: No matter how fund-“less” or member “less” your club is, just go for it. Don’t sit at home and sulk about it.

-Recreational play: Creating a healthy and fun environment for kids and new beginners and to enthuse them to know more about chess and how to play it better.

-Club and Tournament Competitions: After the initial stages are done and over with successfully, there should be mini competitions and Tournaments between other clubs and yours, to stimulate and encourage interest in chess.

It might sound a bit difficult but once you get started, it’ll prove to be a marvelous investment of your time, energy and brain for sure!