Finding Chess Sets
Regardless of whether you need a chess set for professional playing or you simply want it for your own pleasure, the choice can very demanding if you want to buy a quality product. There are several coordinates on which to judge whether chess sets are worth the price: quality, material, theme and size. Regular chess sets are pre-selected, meaning that the pieces and the chessboard are already coupled together in the set when you go to purchase it. Or there is another possibility here: that you get to pick the pieces individually and the matching chessboard in order to create personalized chess sets.
If classical chess sets may seem a little bit dull to you, there are always theme chess sets to choose from; such models work great for children as they stimulate imagination and make the game even more entertaining and challenging. Mythological figures for pieces would work great for the matter or if you buy the gift for someone older you could choose from historical representations of various warlike nations in the history. There are even chess sets with the Civil War figures represented on the chessboard; so, you'll stimulate your child's intelligence and also give him / her a history lesson as well.
In terms of quality materials used in the manufacturing of chess sets, wood items are the most appreciated. In the top of the list we need to mention the chess sets made of mahogany as being the most exquisite, but also the most expensive ones too, being closely followed by ebony and rosewood items. As for boards, the preference goes for those made of quality materials, since not only do they look great but they also meet high quality standards too. Furthermore, personalized chess sets are usually ordered by chess clubs and institutions that organize competitions on a regional, national or even international level.
It is not uncommon to come across chess sets that use mix materials for pieces and boards: for instance wood matches with metal pieces as well, without the least unaesthetic risk. Leatherette boards can be matched with metal pieces in some more special chess sets as well. Moreover, the material is not the only one to influence the price of chess sets; size also has an important word to say; the standard way of determining the diameter of the board is by multiplying the size of the king by 1.33. Sometimes, chessboards may be a bit larger but the dimension is never set below this value.
WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR CHESS SKILLS? Click Here!
Chess Strategy Tips
Anticipate your opponent
When you are playing chess with someone who is doing more than just making random moves, remember that there is usually a reason for every move they make. They are trying to capture a piece, clearing the way, or preventing you from moving somewhere in the future. Ask yourself why they made that move and what the consequences of that move are to you.
Chess Strategy Tips
Be suspicious!
If you realize that an opponent seems to be offering you a piece for the taking, strongly consider why are they doing it. More than likely, they are attempting to maneuver you into a situation that you can't easily get out of. Think ahead and try to anticipate what your opponent is trying to do. As with buying cars, remember that a deal that's too good to be true usually is!
Chess Strategy Tips
Don't slow down
As the game starts to wind down, don't let yourself get careless. With less characters on the board, you'll find that the mobility has increased, giving you a great deal of options and tactics to choose from. When the board starts looking clear, start trying to plot the end of the game.