Centaur Chess

Everyone knows that chess is a game requiring a great deal of skill, strategy, intelligence, and maybe a little bit of luck also. But for the win, the attributes must be combined with the player’s ability to read his opponent and stay one move ahead.

To those who aren’t that enthusiastic about chess, chess sets appear merely generic all throughout. Those who do play chess know that this isn’t true. There are different kinds and styles of chess sets.

Staunton Chess Sets

The Staunton tops the list of classic chess sets. The Staunton set is the chess set that is most preferred by the average chess player. It’s not rare to find a Staunton in many of the chess matches. Without a doubt, the set truly embodies simplicity with elegance.

The Themed Chess Set

To preserve their business, chess manufacturers have shifted to modernizing the classic chess set using themes. Themes are a certified magnet of the youth.

Chess Set for Wars

These chess sets are far from lackluster.  The pieces usually take the form of either artillery or cavalry. It can even be other shapes that are often associated with war. A huge favorite is the American Civil War inspired chess set. With these sets, players are apt to gain a few history refreshers on the war which inspired the chess piece.

Medieval Sets

Medieval sets are among the hottest sellers in town. There is amazingly something about the medieval period and the game itself that seem to go together. Of course, what is reflected in the pieces aren’t necessarily the hardships that accompanied medieval times. The medieval sets that are popular are those that have game pieces shaped like dragons, unicorns, and fire birds. The set lets the player fulfill fantasies of living in a world where magic is alive.

The Chess Set of Harry Potter

When you consider how important the game of chess was in the first Harry Potter book, it shouldn’t surprise you that there are Harry Potter theme chess sets. There are two basic looks to spot: one uses characters from the book; another resembles the pieces which Harry and Ron played.

Availability isn’t much of a problem, because stores sell chess sets of varying themes and sizes.  Chess set buying has never been more convenient today. The sets are vended both offline and online.

Is there a chess enthusiast in your family? Or perhaps you want to teach your spouse or child about chess. There are many unique chess sets to choose from to make the game more interesting.

A unique chess set is the Civil War chess set. A perfect combination of opponents battling each other and a great gift for Civil War collector. The chess pieces are gorgeously hand painted.

There are many golf lover’s who would adore a pewter golf chess set. After a long day of walking on the golf course, relax with a game or two of chess on this unique chess board set.

A pirate chess set is the way to battle a good game of chess. Add a fun pirate chess set to your game collection for hours and hours of enjoyment.

Dogs and cats have always been seen as the dog chasing the cat and somewhat of enemies. Think of the comic strip Garfield. The cat is the sassy one who thinks the dog is a silly fool jumping all over the place, tongue hanging out, goofy look on his face, and tail wagging. Now the dogs and cats can duke it out per se in the game of chess. Dog and cat lover’s cat lover’s can confront each other and see who the true champion is.

Magnetic chess sets will help you keep your pieces in their place. Play on an airplane, in a van or anywhere that you normally wouldn’t be able to lug around a chess set. Magnetic chess sets are very handy to carry along with you.

A very unique chess set is the Phantom Force Electronic Chess Set. You can plot your moves against the phantom. The Phantom Force Electronic Chess Set moves its pieces across the board by itself. The Phantom Force Electronic Chess Set even speaks. Now that is modern technology. If you’d rather watch the Phantom you can as he will play alone against “himself. ” Learn how to play chess from the phantom.

The Talking Chess Trainer is quite unique. The trainer will help you learn how to play chess. Learn great tips and strategies. Once you are confident you can challenge your friends and family and win.

Chess is a very popular game of skill and strategy, and when most people think of chess they envision the classic Staunton design. This design is one of the most simple and elegant designs for a chess set and has existed for many years. This design is the standard in chess sets and is used in competition and most commercially produced chess sets. Even though the Staunton design is the standard in chess sets today, there are many other designs available and many chess players like to play with themed chess sets. These types of chess sets range from simple to ornate and can include pieces made to fit many different themes. Themed chess sets are often prized by collectors, but even casual players enjoy the uniqueness and whimsy of themed chess sets.

Themed chess sets can come in any style imaginable, but some of the most popular ones are modeled around historical battles such as the civil war. War themed chess sets contain pieces that are made to look like soldiers, artillery, cavalry, and other war time necessities. These types of chess sets can be made of many different materials form painted wood to resin and even plastic. Most war themed chess sets are very realistic and add a touch of history to the game. Other popular war themes include ancient wars and armies from other countries.

Another popular design for chess sets are medieval themed sets. These types of chess sets often include dragons, knights, castles, wizards, and horses. Pieces are often made of resin or pewter and often feature accents such as crystals and even gold or silver. These types of sets are some of the most beautiful and stunning and make great displays as well as add excitement to the game. Medieval and fantasy chess sets are some of the most popular types of chess sets and are easy to find in a variety of retail stores.

Fans of more contemporary things also have many types of themed chess sets to choose from. Sports related chess sets are popular and feature players from many different sports including baseball, football, hockey, and even golf. These types of sets are usually not as elegant as sets with more classical themes but still add fun and interest to the game. They may also feature pieces that resemble other elements from the sport as well as the players themselves.

Contemporary chess sets that feature movie and TV themes are also popular. It is not hard to find chess sets with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or pieces modeled after other popular movies. Many popular TV shows also have chess sets modeled after them from sci-fi shows such as Star Trek to comedies such as The Simpsons. These types of chess sets are fun to use or make great displays. Some of the more modern themed chess sets even feature talking pieces and other electronic features. Whether you use your chess set for game play or display, a themed set is sure to bring fun and whimsy to both your games and to your décor.

The ongoing rivalry dates way back in time for the members of the Army and Navy. It was in 1890 that the teams from the Naval Academy and Army Academy met on the playing field of the football stadium at West Point. When these two teams meet on any playing field it is a true test of endurance, strength and strategy. Games played with cramping muscles and injuries that don’t slow them down, it just makes them that much more thirsty for a victory. Both teams will give it their all. At the end of play they had nothing left, their tanks were now running on empty. They have won their battle that day and the team that was victorious was enjoying the sweet taste of success and the all honor and prestige that goes along with it.

One fact some are not aware of, the song played at these games “Anchors Away” is a song about an Army/Navy football game. It was written at the Naval Academy for the graduating class of 1907 by Bandmaster Zimmerman and was first played in 1906 at an Army Navy football game. During this game the Navy did ‘hoist true Navy Blue’ and ‘sank the army grey’ with a score of 10 to 0.

During the 20th and now 21st century they sought some ‘neutral’ ground for these games. As this rivalry has moved into the new century the games have moved to Philadelphia. The games continue to be packed with fans anticipating a win for the team they are cheering for. The players are pulling out all the stops wanting that win.

The themed chess set depicting the Army and Navy in actual uniforms with seals and weapons makes chess playing a new adventure. Carrying on the longstanding competition using your own strategy, mental strength and enduring the test of time you too can enjoy that sweet taste of success. Enjoy the prestige of the victory, until you play again, then you have to launch your best moves again to see that your team remains victorious.

Themed chess sets are the perfect gift idea for chess fans that enjoy history and rivalry.

You are sitting quietly, staring down at a board that contains 64 squares, 32 of one color, and 32 of another. You have 16 items on the board in front of you that have been fashioned into 6 very unique figures. You play just one opponent and they too have their own army of 16. What is it? Simple, it is the intense battle to ‘checkmate’. You can no longer respond, there is no move to get you out, you’re trapped. The classic game of Chess is one that could be over in an instant if played well, or the drama could go on for hours. The players will be deep in thought and concentration trying to for see their opponent’s strategy and predicting how to outsmart them.

The game was played by aristocrats and noblemen in history. Chess has the reputation of being for the intellectual elite by some. When you think of the ‘chess club’ from high school it’s usually an image of all the really smart kids. Moves and maneuvers can not be random or haphazard if you plan to win at a game of Chess. The ability to focus and concentrate is critical. Because players can drag out play for so long, professional players involved in games or tournament play have timers placed on them to give them a limit to make their next move. If the time runs out, they have lost the game. The form of the game played today appeared in writing dating back to the 15th century. By the 19th century the game involved books of rules and strategies, magazines and journals, clubs and tournaments, even a full blown manual for chess theory. Some may not be aware but the International Olympic committee considers Chess as a recognized sport.

Studies on the game and those who excel in the game have uncovered some interesting results. It is believed that those who succeed are more often left handed people, and those born in late winter rather than those born in early spring will be better at the game. The last characteristic is that those who start playing when they are much younger tend to be more successful. I guess when we are younger, we tend to absorb information more readily, and over think things less. In adult years, this will translate into someone who tackles the classic game of chess with the ability to think, for see and outsmart their opponent.