Chess Pieces Are Collectable Works Of Art

Chess is one of the oldest board games known to man, and the chess pieces used are as distinctive as any game pieces you'll ever see. Even people who have never played the game recognize a set of chess pieces immediately. Once simply functional, today's chess men are works of art that many serious players collect for their beauty as well as their utilitarian purpose.

Choice of Chessmen Reflects Other Interests

In fact, collecting chess pieces has spilled over to collectors of many other kinds. Chess players can now combine their interest in history, science fiction or rare woods and carvings with their passion for chess. The reason? The beautifully designed and carved chess pieces that are central to the game are now offered in styles to reflect every taste and interest.

If you are a Civil War history buff, a chess set with Civil War figures can bring an extra bit of excitement as you and your opponent pit North against South once again. Other history fans will appreciate a chess match-up between Greeks and Romans or medieval troops.

Or perhaps fantasy chess pieces are more your style, with one side's knights pitted against the other sides dragons. Wizards, peasants and fair damsels can all bring a touch of magic to the chess board. Are you an animal lover? There are even chess sets featuring cats and dogs the perfect chess set for the chess playing veterinarian or animal lover.

An Amazing Array of Materials

Your first chess pieces were probably those red and black plastic ones that come in cheap boxed chess boards (along with checkers) that most beginners learn on. You're well past that stage now, and you deserve something finer. The materials that are used for chess pieces are almost limitless.

The most popular is wood, but that's a broad category encompassing such fine-grained woods as rosewood, maple and ebony. Each of these woods can be stained in various rich, lustrous finishes that make each piece from rook to king a tiny example of the woodworker's art.

Other materials that demonstrate your exquisite taste are alabaster, brass and marble resins. These wonderful chess pieces have one-of-a-kind detailing that you will appreciate every time you use them or leave them out for display in your home. Marble resins are especially attractive because they can be hand-carved into beautifully rendered figures, and then stained in full color for amazing historical accuracy for historically themed chess sets.

With so many gorgeous chess pieces available, is it any wonder that more people every year decide to have several sets? Consider having a set for everyday play, a set for those special occasions and others simply for display. It's an affordable, functional form of art that has a long and illustrious history as the game of kings.