Centaur Chess

Posts Tagged ‘Lewis’

In addition to R&B,Chess Records recorded Chicago-born jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis (b.5/27/35), who recorded jazz instrumental versions of popular mid-sixties hits as Dobie Gray’s “The In Crowd”, The McCoys “Hang On Sloopy”and The Beatles’ “Day Tripper”. His jazz version of the spiritual “Wade In The Water” became a big hit for him in 1965.

No one knows how the game of Chess began. It is not clear whether one person invented it, or whether several different board games gradually merged into one. Indoor board games have been played for millenniums, but the game Chaturanga, linked to modern-day Chess can be traced back to seventh-century India. Its roots probably go back further. The game may even have emerged from a religious ceremony held in order to divine the balance between good and evil. Since it’s so hard to draw exact conclusions from such sparse evidence, we may never know for sure where Chess really originated. Regardless of where it originated, chess is the most enjoyable board game that gentlemen can play. The use of strategy to make and plan moves is loved by many.

From India, Chess spread quickly to Persia (present-day Iran), and after the Arabian conquest, it reached the Arab world. Chaturanga now renamed Shatranj, thrived in the “Golden Age of Islam” between the eight and the eleventh century. The Arabs were great mathematicians, and the numerical nature of Chess complemented their scientific interests. Chess arrived in Europe by a variety of different trade routes and by the early invasions of Spain and Sicily. The Vikings took Chess farther westward, and by the beginning of the eleventh century, Chess was already well known across Europe.

In a short span of time, Chess became the most popular board game in Europe. A very interesting set of chess pieces called the Isle Lewis chess set was found at Nig, in the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. The Isle Lewis chess set dates back to about the twelfth century. The Isle Lewis chess set forms the oldest surviving complete Chess set. The Isle Lewis chess set pieces are usually carved from walrus ivory and depict characters in a variety of bad moods, from rage to gloom. The backs are carved with elaborate interlacing designs like those on the reverse of the old Tarot cards. The Queens rest their cheeks on their right hands, the Kings have swords laid across their laps, while the Bishops are mitered and are seated. The contemporary Isle Lewis chess set is a collection of all chess pieces you need to play a game of Chess.

Many a debate has been settled with the playing of the game. Chess uses advanced strategies in order to plan your moves ahead of time. Without this planning, it is easy to loose a game of chess rather quickly.

Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked Open Scottish Tour at National Museum of Scotland
Jacqui Austin (L) and Lindsay McGill, from National Museums Scotland, pose for a game of chess for photographers with some of the Lewis Chessmen on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland May 20, 2010. The Lewis Chessmen consist of 93 pieces of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales’ teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their …

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• This Isle of Lewis is made of wood and comes with its own foldiing magnetic board for easy storage.
• The King is 2″ tall with a .75 inch base.
• The board opens to a 10 x 10 x .9 inches. The chess pieces are Boxwood while the board is made from exotic Teakwood.
• Isle of Lewis chessmen were featured in the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
• Own a faithful reproduction of the earliest known European chess set!

Product Description
Isle of Lewis chessmen were featured in the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Own a faithful reproduction of the earliest known European chess set! This Isle of Lewis chess set is a genuine replica of the world famous Isle of Lewis chess pieces on display in the British Museum. Because of the direct involvement of the British Museum in developing the molds for these chessmen, this is the closest reproduction of the historic Lewis chessmen available today… More >>

Isle of Lewis Magnetic Travel Themed Chess Set

• Chess Set dimensions: 10in x 10in x 1in open / Weight: 2 lbs.
• King size: 2in
• Hazelnut and maple wood veneer wide frame board with 1in squares
• Magnetic chess set

Product Description
The exclusive Isle of Lewis etched wood magnetic folding set features chess pieces modeled after the oldest known European chess set. This Spanish-made magnetic chess set features hazelnut and maple construction and includes a vinyl snap storage pouch. Elegant, interesting and convenient, this set makes an exceptional addition to any game collection…. More >>

Isle of Lewis Etched Magnetic Folding Chess Set with Vinyl Pouch