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Benefits of Chess March 24, 2022

Why Should You Take a Travel Chess Set While Traveling With Friends or Family?

Some people think that chess sets are outdated, and people should move on to something new, well a good travel chess set can change your mind. Being with your friends and family members is a great way to spend your time, but with them being on their phones too much it wouldn’t result in everyone’s happiness.

As with the problem with our current generation, it is hard to play something that is out of our phones, even while traveling it can put us in isolation. Having a good chess set for your travels will change just that, keep on reading if you are interested.

Travel chess sets can be used to entertain a large group of people

If you had been traveling with friends or family for a long time then you would realize that it is more boring than what you expected, on the trip to the destination talking would be minimal. Most would be focused on their phone rather than enjoying the real experience, this is bad for bonding and group enjoyment.

Having a travel chess set by your side that is magnetic would allow you to present something for the group to work on, pulling them out of their prison cell phones and into the moment. This way you would be able to bond with your friends and family without being too pushy, this is especially true if the group likes chess already.

But what if your friends and family members have not played the game for a longtime? or maybe they have never played the game at all and don’t know the rules? This is easy, take this as a good opportunity to introduce everyone you know to the very good game of chess, you might find a practice partner with this.

Getting a chess set for the next trip of your family and friends can help them be introduced to the game, there is nothing more enjoyable than sharing a playing board and competing. Of course, there are many two player games out there on the play store, but they do not carry the same experience as playing on a large chessboard.

Travel Chess Sets will be Less affected by the Harshness of Travel

One of the most annoying things about traveling is that you will be facing a lot of bumps and shakes, this will make any gameplay quite hard to do. If you have a phone with some play store games then it will still give you a hard time keeping the phone still, this is especially true for vehicles that run on wheels.

If you are traveling on a train or a plane then the shaking would be minimal (although there are cases where there is still a lot of shaking), it is quite inconvenient. A travel chess set is something that one would think to be affected by this, but there is a reason why it is called a “travel” chess set.

Special Travel Series Chess Set by Chessbazaar

The main use of a travel chess set lies in its flexibility, no matter which transportation you are currently in you can play with someone a quick game or two. Travel chess sets are magnetic and are crafted for bumpy rides, it will allow travelers to enjoy a game of chess while still getting to their destination.

Also Read: What’s the best chess opening a beginner should play?

Real travel chess sets gives a classic firsthand experience

We have given you many examples of why a play store phone would not be as convenient as a travel chess set in some cases (such as with bumpy rides), but there is another reason why it is to be preferred. This is what we call the “classical experience” where you actually have to interact with the real world in order to win, too much social media has pushed the generation outside of real experiences.

Some might think that it is best to have a chess app that you can just play on the go like the lichess app, but you must understand the disadvantages of using an over the board phone for chess games. The huge thing is the experience, it doesn’t give the same value as when someone has real pieces that they can touch and move, it seems fake.

Sure, it is not bad to indulge in social media and play store games, it is quite normal in our age to do such virtual activities. However, a travel chess set can give people both young and old a good break from the virtual world and into reality, in order to remind us that memories should be created outside the boundaries of our phones.

It is easy to find an opponent once you bring a travel chess set

Some of the biggest problems of having a good play store game (even if it is a two player game) is the difficulty of finding an opponent to play with, it is not as easy with a chess set. Chess is universally known as a game which people respond to, even if one does not know how to play they are likely to break the bubble and give it a try.

This advantage of bringing a travel chessboard comes with how easy it is to invite strangers, say you are traveling by train, it is much easier to invite someone in a game of chess. If you have a two-player app that is not as popular it probably wouldn’t get as much traction, in social settings people are more likely to entertain a real board game.

Sure, if you are with your family or friends it would not matter as much if you have to find an opponent, however one of the best things you can do as a group is to meet new people. One of the best ways to do that is to show them the travel chess set you have been keeping in your bag, allowing everyone to connect with new people and share their experiences.

Also Read: Tournament Chess Sets – 5 Incredible Chess Sets to Choose from!

View of Our Magnetic Chess Set — 7″ Magnetic

View of our travel series folding non-magnetic chess set — 16″ Non-Magnetic

Amazing View of Our Travel Series Folding Chess Set — 12″ Magnetic

Photographic View of Our Rounded Magnetic Chess Set — Round Magnetic

Conclusion

Carrying a magnetic chess set that is suited for travel will allow your friends and family to experience being with each other, to share memories that can last forever. One of the best ways to do that is to give everyone something to obsess with, where people can connect based on their shared interests.

If you are traveling on a vehicle that runs on wheels then this would be one of the best options, it will allow everyone to break the silence and be with each other. A magnetic one can survive the harshness of travel.

How to setup a chessboard March 22, 2022

How to Set Up a Chessboard – Step by Step – chessbazaar’s Guide

Chess is one of the oldest games known to mankind. Chess players are very passionate about their game and are always curious to know every single trick or rule that can improve their game. Chess rules are few but they can get really complex.

Along with using strategies to play chess, it is also equally important to have the correct positions of the chess pieces at the beginning of the game.

A chessboard is a kind of checkerboard and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns) and 32 pieces. These squares are arranged in two alternating colors (light and dark). Environment-friendly wooden chess boards that we offer to our customers at chessbazaar use genuine woods.

Material varies widely in making chess boards. Plastic and cardboard chessboards are basically used for low-level games. For high level or for professional games only wooden chess boards are used.

The first and foremost rule in start of game of chess is the placement of the chessboard. Now it’s time to set your beautiful wooden chessboard with meticulously hand-carved wooden chess pieces right. Let’s get started.

Get started with these simple steps:

Set the board and make sure that the bottom right square is a white square. If your board has algebraic notations on it make sure that ‘1’ is nearest to white and ‘8’ is nearest to Black. The ‘h’ letter should be on White’s right.

Place a rook/castle on each of the two corners.

Placement of Rook/Castle on each of the two corners.

Place a knight on the inside of the rooks/castles.

Placing a knight on the inside of the rooks/castles.

Now set your bishops to the inside of the knights.

Then place your queens on the matching color square. Queen is a second most important piece in chess after the king. But always remember that the queen always sits in the color of its square. So the light colored square will have white queen and the black Queen has to be placed in a dark square of the board (A lady always wants to wear matching shoes with her dress). Queen Side of the board’ is the left side of the board, where both queens are placed.

Placing different chess pieces on a chess board

Now place your King on the last square left. King side of the board’ is the right side of the board, where both kings are placed.

Place all the pawns on the front squares, so that they can declare the war.

All chess pieces have different points to indicate how valuable they are and if you want to play for chess tournaments, it is also important to learn the points that each chess piece is worth of and the points of some possible combinations. Let’s have a look –

Chess Pieces with Names and Points by Chessbazaar

The person with the white side pieces always begins the game. The Game is all about saving the King, so the King carries infinite value. The interesting rule of the game is that the King can never be captured and if he is in danger then he must move to a safe place or another chess piece must make him safe. If he cannot reach in the safe zone then the game is over.

Also Read: 6 Tips to Choose the Best Chess Board for Your Need

45 mm Standard Walnut Maple Wooden Chess Board

Chess Board with Matte Finish by Chessbazaar

chessbazaar January 5, 2022

What’s the best chess opening a beginner should play?

If you are just beginning your chess journey there must be one thing but you struggle with more than anything, it is probably regarding openings. Learning chess openings can be quite a struggle since there is so much to study, this article will help you on that.

This is a compilation of all the best beginner chess openings out there that can help your learning curve, these are all beginner-friendly so you wouldn’t struggle too much. The quest to find the best beginner chess opening starts here, keep on reading if you are interested.

Best Beginner Chess Openings for White

In order to make things more fair, it is important to discuss many of the recommended beginner chess openings for white. It is not like there is only one “chess opening” that beats all, there are many theoretical lines that can be just as optimal in the right situation.

If you are a beginner here are the most recommended chess openings for white:

Beginner Chess Opening #1 Ruy Lopez

If you have watched any competitive chess tournaments lately then you are likely to have encountered this variation in most of the games, this is for a good reason. It is probably the most fundamental chess opening out there that features everything about a chess opening.

It allows white to gain an advantage right out of the opening (specific regarding space and development), but not so much that black is just completely losing. This is a theme that is common for all good chess openings that you will ever study.

There are only really few chess openings that can completely decide the game if the opponent plays correctly, more often than not the lines would just be normal. This is recommended for beginners since it can introduce them to the true nature of chess.

There is a lot going on but the advantage gained is subtle, it is also deemed safe since the position is relatively stable. White will gain an advantage without too much effort, a player only needs to remember some 3-5 key moves in order to be decent.

Another reason why it is so good comes from the position that it promotes, it has a complete package offer of what is common in all other openings. By mastering this particular variation you are likely to play themes in all other openings that you will eventually encounter.

It can serve as a good base knowledge before you delve into much more complicated variations, this will make you a more complete learner. I would agree that starting with this is somewhat difficult (since the lines can also be extensive), but it can be worth the trouble.

Beginner Chess Opening #2 English Opening

This opening is something that I see a lot of beginners thrive in, the English opening is a variation that offers a quiet position without a lot of things going on. White wouldn’t gain too much advantage but they would still be slightly better.

This is actually why beginners do prefer this particular opening, it is so quiet that there aren’t many traps that can end the game quickly. People can actually play the middlegame or even possibly the endgame without suffering from opponents that studied traps extensively.

With this opening beginners will also learn how to play positionally, something that a lot of people struggle with when starting. The only downside is that you don’t gain much from the opening, but let’s be real beginners probably wouldn’t convert their small advantage anyway.

This is why the English opening can be a good asset for beginners, people can reach the middlegame without falling for a theoretical preparation.

Beginner Chess Opening #3 Queen’s gambit

This is probably the most important variation following the 1.d4 line, understanding how this is played will unlock more opening opportunities for beginners. Unlike the 1.e4, the 1.d4 is much more quiet, although not as quiet as the English opening (1.c4).

If you have played on lichess or chess.com, there is no way you wouldn’t have encountered the queen’s gambit, the themes in this opening are so elementary that it is used in many 1.d4 variations. Slav defense, London system, King’s Indian defense, etc. all arise after the queen’s gambit line.

This also introduces the idea of gambits to a beginner, since most people who start playing chess only care about material and never about positional edge. Punishing an opponent that overguard their gambited pawn is also quite easy.

You don’t need to memorize a lot and many quick wins can be achieved by a properly implemented queen’s gambit. After learning about this it is also easy to study about other defenses that may not be as popular, it will increase your overall opening repertoire.

Beginner Chess Opening #4 Italian Game

If you look at the picture above the italian game is very similar to the Ruy Lopez except the bishop was developed to a different square, however, this is a completely different chess opening. This is not as rudimentary as the Ruy Lopez but it is still good for beginners.

I will suggest this more on people that likes to attack but doesn’t necessarily have their tactical game on point yet, it features rich attacking opportunities that are not too crazy (maybe except the fried liver attack). This is the one that I recommend so you don’t just attack like a barbarian monkey.

If you are an aggressive player and do know how to convert advantages, some other openings like the scotch game would be better. Italian games are usually on the positional side with a good attacking setup.

You will have chances but it is still relatively quiet that you can probably perform better.

English Opening: Best Beginner Chess Opening for White

So what’s the verdict? What is the best opening for beginners regarding the white pieces? I would say that it would definitely be the English opening.

It is a quiet opening that doesn’t give too many opportunities for one to mess up, many people who have played chess know a lot of variations that can end the game quickly. Beginners usually cannot keep up with this initial knowledge, the English opening provides a safe way to get in the middlegame without many pitfalls.

Of course the other openings can just be as good in their own ways, but most beginners will find more value in playing the English!

Also Read: How to Set Up a Chessboard – Step by Step – chessbazaar’s Guide

Best Beginner Chess Openings for Black

This is the thing with this question, it is hard to pinpoint the best chess opening since both black and white will have their own respective variations. This means that the best opening for white will not be applicable to the black pieces, they need to be separated.

So if you’re playing the black pieces you wouldn’t be able to apply the openings for white, this is why it needs its own list. For the most part here are the best chess openings for beginners:

Beginner Chess Opening #5 Berlin defense

This is like the Ruy Lopez of the black pieces, the themes are also rudimentary and there are many positional nuances that can give black an equal position. The Berlin defense is also a response to the Ruy Lopez itself which adds more to the congruency.

Many chess professionals who play against the Ruy Lopez will prefer to go with the Berlin defense from among all other variations, the main line leads to an endgame that is somewhat drawish. This is good for beginners since they can avoid opening traps and go straight into the endgame.

One of the most common pieces of advice for beginners is to first master the endgame among all else, this is pretty hard if you could not even survive the middlegame. The Berlin defense ensures that the player can reach the endgame with minimal effort, this makes it a good option.

Beginner Chess Opening #6 Petroff defense

This one is still common in the high levels although not as common as the Berlin defense, the goal of this opening is pretty similar though. The Petroff is considered to be a somewhat drawish chess opening that will give an equal position if both sides play correctly.

There are some aggressive sidelines that can arise from the Petroff but it should be somewhat dry in most cases, the positions do not offer as many pitfalls as other openings. If you are a beginner that is looking for quiet positions without necessarily waiting for a Ruy Lopez then the Petroff is for you.

The Berlin defense is still pretty good, however your opponent can deviate with an Italian game for example and suddenly you wouldn’t know what to play anymore. The petroff can allow you to take the pace of the game without giving chances for a deviation, you only need the 1. e4 move to do this.

Beginner Chess Opening #7 Sicilian defense

This is probably the most solid reply to the 1. e4 move, there are many things that white you can do to gain a significant edge in the opening. Most positions arising from the sicilian are relatively quiet yet also possess good space, beginners will have an easier time developing their pieces.

Of course there are some Sicilian variations that can get very funky (Sicilian Dragon, Poison Pawn Variation, etc.) But black will be the one to decide if they want to take this route. White will have some edge in the opening (as it always does) but the advantage is so minimal that it wouldn’t count that much.

There is also another greater benefit in playing the Sicilian defense, mainly of the variety that the player can study rather than sticking to a single opening. The sicilian offers numerous lines that give unique positions over its other variations so beginners can experiment quickly.

If you have mastered the Sicilian defense: classical variation for example you can go for a scheveningen variation without too many problems. This flexibility can give a lot of room for beginners to learn more broader but specialized openings.

Also Read: How to measure a perfect chessboard for a particular king size?

Beginner Chess Opening #8 Queen’s Gambit Declined

If you have noticed the opening suggestions above they are all a reply to the 1. e4 move, this is for good reason. Such openings are just that solid and do not give many traps for beginners to fall into, however it wouldn’t do justice if a reply to the 1.d4 move is not included.

So here it is, the Queen’s gambit declined is probably the most solid reply after 1.d4, there isn’t much white can do to have a significant advantage. White naturally is better in space at this particular variation but black should be just fine with normal play.

At the top level this is probably the most played variation after 1.d4 (the other being slav defense) since it offers a good middlegame initiative for black without too many concessions. The only downside is the difficulty of developing the light-squared bishop but should still be playable in the long run.

Sicilian Defense: Best Beginner Chess Opening for Black

After all has been said and done the best chess opening for black is probably the sicilian defense, it is simple yet can be broader due to its numerous variations. It doesn’t give many pitfalls yet can be flexible depending on how the player wants to play. It is the best recommendation.

Conclusion

The best beginner chess opening for white would be the English, it ensures that the player won’t have to deal with many aggressive variations and can easily transpose in the middlegame.

On the other hand the best beginner chess opening for black would be the Sicilian defense, it is pretty solid and black is usually the one who will control the tempo of the game. It also has numerous lines that will provide opportunities for future opening study.

Also Read: Chess Board and Pieces Dimensions

Chess Blogs December 17, 2018

MONTHLY ROUND-UP – October & November 2018

Christmas is just around the corner, and the chess players already have been hunting for a good deal. Although Month November was all about the Black Friday deals but along with that we have also launched a couple of good chess sets & now it’s time to recap the major events from the last month. 4 chess sets were announced last month, but Reproduced Antique 1860 Anderssen Drop Jaw Staunton Pattern Chess Set shines brighter than any of our recently launched chess sets. We’ve also announced the Old Classic British Staunton Chess Set, Baku Chess Set in Sheesham wood, so if you think you might have missed the announcements or are simply looking for an orderly recap, the table below should be for you. It also comes with complete links to our respective product page.

Reproduced Antique 1860 Anderssen Drop Jaw Staunton Pattern Chess Set
The Old Classic British Staunton Chess Set in Ebony / Boxwood
Reproduced 1961 Soviet Championship Baku Chess Set in Sheesham Wood
The New Columbian Staunton Series Chess Pieces in Sheesham Wood & Rose Wood

Reproduced Antique 1860 Anderssen Drop Jaw Staunton Pattern Chess Set easily dominated our list of best-selling chess sets last month. Reproduced Antique 1860 Anderssen Drop Jaw Staunton Pattern Chess Set in genuine ebony wood and antiqued boxwood. Hand-crafted with precision and care, 1860 Anderssen Drop Jaw Staunton Pattern Chess Set brings vintage experience to the masses. The King proudly stands at 4.5″ tall with a base diameter of 1.8 inches. The set comes with free extra queens for effortless pawn promotion. Know More->

The Old Classic British Staunton Chess Set also made its debut and gathered a lot of fan attention. Exquisitely made from ebony wood and natural boxwood. The King proudly stands at 4.13 inches and its base is robust 1.77 inches. This is a captivated design featuring the magnificently robust and remarkable knight. Know More->

Another noteworthy announcement is the reproduced 1961 Soviet Championship Baku Chess Set in Sheesham Wood. The King proudly stands at 4″ tall with a base diameter of 1.53″. The dark chess pieces are made of sheesham wood & the opposing pieces are made of boxwood which is traditionally used for white side. It is one of the fairly easy woods to work with and shows off aesthetic detail. The set comes with free extra queens for effortless pawn promotion. Know More->

Related: Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand

Last but not least is the New Columbian Staunton Series Chess Pieces in Rose & Sheesham Wood. The all-new Columbian Staunton Series, exquisitely crafted in heirloom quality rosewood and boxwood. The King proudly stands at 3.89 inches and its base is robust 1.65 inches. This is a majestic design featuring the magnificently robust and prepossessing knight. Know More ->

Lastly, you will be pleased to hear that our 12 days of Christmas Sale is extended for 1 more day. Click the link to fly directly to the offers zone->

That’s all for now. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest releases, offers & promotions. We’d glad to know your views and experiences of the chess sets which you have purchased from us. You can also get the updates direct to your email by sign-up to our newsletter.

More to Read

Aftercare November 6, 2018

10 Useful Tips to Take Care of your Chess Board

So, now you have your favorite chess board & now the most important and difficult task before you is to maintain your chess board. A good quality chess board, however, requires the least botheration and their shine lasts quite a long time. But there are certain general points that need to be kept in mind.

Bear in mind that any exposure to water can result damaging the board so the board must essentially stay totally dry at all times.
There is no need to use any additional waxes or polishes as the original polish is quite hard and it does not wear off easily.
If the board becomes scratched there is not much that will remedy it, you can try cleaning the smudges with a little damp fabric cloth!
Avoid exposing your chessboard to humidity and extreme temperatures. Humidity results in high degrees of contraction and expansion.
Your chess board should never be placed in direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight will lead to damages.
Simply wipe the board with a dry(matte finish boards), clean cloth and using a damp cloth(glossy finish chess boards) to get rid of any stickiness.
Avoid touching your board with wet hands. Always keep a hand towel within your reach.
Always try to keep your board on felt or soft surfaces to avoid abrasion. Best would be to buy a board with felt fixed in the bottom.
Regularly dust your board using a soft, dry piece of fabric.

Love your chess board!

More Articles to Read:

Chess Blogs October 8, 2018

Monthly Round UP – Sep 2018

Month September of 2018 was dominated by 4 chess sets. The first is 1852 Harrwitz Staunton Pattern Chess Set. Second on the list is Argentina Olympic (Ajedrez Olímpico, ‘Campo’) Chess Set & last two are The Old Collector’s Club Staunton Series Chess Pieces & The Modern Staunton Series Chess Set. If you think you might have missed the announcements or are simply looking for an orderly recap, the table below should be for you. It also comes complete with links to our respective product page.

Reproduced Circa 1852 Harrwitz Staunton Pattern Chess Set
Reproduced Argentina Olympic (Ajedrez Olímpico, ‘Campo’) Chess Set
The Old Collector’s Club Staunton Series Chess Pieces
The Modern Staunton Series Chess Set

Last month the spotlights were primarily on the reproduced circa 1852 Harrwitz Staunton pattern chess set. Hand-crafted with precision and care, Circa 1852 Harrwitz brings vintage experience to the masses. The King proudly stands at 4.5″ tall with a base diameter of 2 inches. The set comes with free extra queens for effortless pawn promotion. Pieces have unique rings and thick green felts, which precisely envelops the base of each chessmen for smooth movement on the chess board. The Knights are well-reproduced and represent the highest grade of knight carving skills that our Indian artisans have to offer. Know More->

The Argentina Olympic (Ajedrez Olímpico, ‘Campo’) chess set in ebony & boxwood also made its debut last month and gathered a lot of fan attention. This distinctive chess set was used in Argentina Chess Olympiad. The Argentina Olympic set was very popular in the 1980’s because of its unique collar rings and extraordinary knights. The original Chess Sets which was used in the Argentina Chess Olympiad are very rare and selling at thousands of dollars a set but that is not what every chess collector can spend on a hobby. Know More->

The old collector’s club Staunton series chess pieces have been specifically designed for the chess collectors. The King proudly stands at 4.4 inches and its base is robust 1.9 inches. This is a classic design featuring the magnificently robust and remarkable knight. There are 6 cuts in the turrets of the rook. The carving and the design of the knight are quite spectacular, look closely at the eyes, nostrils, teeth and, craftsmanship around the mane. The design of the other pieces is also highly outstanding, each chessmen is carefully handcrafted in India. Know More->

The modern Staunton series chess set after more than 150 years, the Staunton chess sets are still exceedingly well-liked and is likely to remain so in the future. This set features a Tournament standard 3.75″ King with a base diameter of 1.69 inches. This chess set is expertly weighted from our master artisans and it’s superb size proportioning from a king to pawn make this chess set an excellent choice for fast chess games in tournaments/clubs or regular home and school play. Know More->

That’s all for now. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest releases, offers & promotions. We’d glad to know your views and experiences of the chess sets which you have purchased from us. You can also get the updates direct to your email by sign-up to our newsletter.

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Chess Blogs September 21, 2018

MONTHLY ROUND-UP – AUG 2018

Mid fall season is drawing closer and that can only mean one thing – new reproductions & mouthwatering deals are on the way. Last month undoubtedly it was the Reproduced 1904 Cambridge Springs International Congress Tournament Chess Set that got the most attention. A few other notable announcements last month includes Reproduced 1849 Original Staunton Pattern Chess Set, Leatherette Chess Set Briefcase Storage Box, Limited Edition Imperial. For the full scoop on all of the above, plus some other launches from the past month, just scroll down and hit ‘em up.

Reproduced 1904 Cambridge Springs International Congress Tournament Chess Set

Reproduced 1849 Original Staunton Pattern Chess Set

Limited Edition Imperial Collector Series (Sinquefield Cup 2014) Wooden Chess Set

Leatherette Chess Set Briefcase Storage Box Coffer with Fixed Slots

Starting with Reproduced 1904 Cambridge Springs International Congress Tournament Chess Set. This special Staunton style chess set was made for the 1904 Cambridge Springs International Chess Congress Tournament. This is a historic design featuring the first of it’s kind unique king finial. Wider base and superb size proportioning from the king to the pawn exhibits true intricate craftsmanship in all the pieces. Know More->

Next on the list is Reproduced 1849 Original Staunton Pattern Chess Set. Four years. That’s how long it’s been since we have launched our first reproduction of “1849 Staunton pattern chess set”. Our 1849 chess set reproduction became instantly popular among chess collectors after the launch and was the industry gold standard, the chess set by which all other reproductions compared and it was one of the best-selling products in the chessbazaar’s history. We have grown manifold since then, we now have over 120+ distinctive reproductions in our reproduced antique chess sets category. This set is done with the collaboration of a renowned collector(he prefers to remain anonymous). Heartfelt gratitude for sending 6 samples to us for the accurate reproduction.

Limited Edition Imperial Collector Series is the most beautiful chess set we have ever launched! Handcrafted in India, these chess pieces exude class and history. Appropriately weighted these pieces are very stable on board and a pleasure to touch and feel. Each piece is meticulously carved and buff polished by hand to give it a rich and long-lasting shine. The design, quality, and craftsmanship of these chess pieces are unmatched. To make Imperial collector series chess set what it is, our artisans take more than two days to a carve a single chess set. The result of this hard work of these master craftsmen is a truly wonderful design and a masterpiece which any connoisseur will admire. Know More->

Last on the list is Leatherette Chess Set Briefcase Storage Box Coffer with Fixed Slots. for chess pieces with fixed slots for putting each piece separately. This box is best suited for pieces with height 3.75″ – 4″. Comes with a suitcase-style handle to carry. The box has been lined with beige velvet to protect the pieces from scratching. Know More->

That’s all for now. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest releases, offers & promotions. We’d glad to know your views and experiences of the chess sets which you have purchased from us.

Read More Article:

Chess August 27, 2018

Case Study by Google – Chessbazaar finds a winning strategy with Google Shopping and re-engagement campaigns.

About

Chessbazaar, a small business based in Mohali, Punjab, sells wooden chess pieces, boards, and accessories prized by players and collectors worldwide. Their chess sets are handcrafted by families of artisans from nearby Amritsar, using tools and techniques that date back centuries. “It’s quite a history that we are selling, and we are very proud of it,” says Vikramjit Singh, Founder and Managing Director of Artsmart, Chessbazaar’s parent company.

The challenge

Founded in 2007, Chessbazaar first sold their hand-crafted products through third-party marketplaces. Unhappy with the fees and lack of brand control, they launched their own e-commerce website in 2012 and turned to Google digital marketing products to spread the word. Chessbazaar initially handled their Google Ads and Google Shopping campaigns in-house. But by late 2016, facing increasingly stiff competition from big online retailers, they needed help to showcase their extensive product catalog, especially to luxury chess set product buyers in the U.S. and UK.
Chessbazaar initially encountered challenges in identifying, engaging, and then re-engaging potential customers. They also realized that, to reach and then remarket to these unique prospects, they needed distinctive messaging that reflected details such as different price points for different audience segments. For this reason, they found that targeted Shopping campaigns were important especially during the November–December holiday season.
“Shopping campaigns are working brilliantly for us,” Singh notes. Their return on investment (ROI) during the first half of 2018 was 2.53, an increase of 172 percent, compared with the same period a year earlier.

The approach

Chessbazaar worked with OnlineSales.ai to drive brand awareness and boost impressions and site traffic by identifying the most relevant Google Ads search keywords for their products. The team also re-engaged prospects who had already shown interest in their offerings via search, Shopping, display, and dynamic remarketing campaigns. Shopping campaigns ensured that prospective customers saw examples of Chessbazaar products before they visited the website, which increased the conversion rate. Data from
Google Analytics also helped to reach specific audiences and locations in the U.S. and UK, and identify the best times to schedule the ads.

The results

These efforts brought dramatic results for Chessbazaar. Conversions rose by more than 35 percent thanks to display and dynamic remarketing (DRM) campaigns, which helped re-engagement, producing more conversions than standard search campaigns. Clickthrough rates (CTR) soared nearly 43 percent with the use of generic non-brand keywords, sitelinks, callout extensions, expanded text ads (ETA), and structured snippets. Revenues rose 185 percent as cost-per-acquisition (CPA) fell 16 percent. “Remarketing has given us substantial ROI of 2X, and the brand campaigns have also given us a very good conversion rate,” Singh says.

Market impact

Successfully collaborating with their Google Partner was pivotal for Chessbazaar, as was reaching return customers. “Fifty percent of our customers are repeat customers, and remarketing actually was the turning point for us,” Singh notes. Chessbazaar is now looking at digital campaigns in Germany and other European countries, and perhaps Australia and South America as well.

Chess Blogs August 17, 2018

MONTHLY ROUND-UP – JULY 2018

Another month passed and it’s time, to sum up the most important launches of the past month. Reproductions dominated the chess community over the past month, but none shines brighter than the Reproduced 1973 Petropolis 1979 Interzonal Tournament Chess Set. It was certainly the hottest set in our new arrival section over the past month. A few other announcements also took place last month – Dubrovnik Bobby Fischer Reproduced Chess Set Version 2.0 in Lacquer Finished Burnt & Reproduced Ferocious Knights 1890’s Russian Tournament Chess Set

Reproduced 1973 Petropolis 1979 Interzonal Tournament Chess Set
New 1950 Dubrovnik Bobby Fischer Reproduced Chess Set Version 2.0
Reproduced Ferocious Knights 1890’s Russian Tournament Chess Set

Reproduced 1973 Petropolis 1979 Interzonal Tournament Chess Set asserted it’s dominance over the new arrivals section last month. A very special Staunton style set was made for the 1973 Petropolis Interzonal Chess Tournament held in Brazil. The set featured robust pieces with 4.5″ kings and impressive uniquely different hands carved Knights. It’s fitting that Brazilian player Henrique Mecking won the event. A similar style “Petropolis” set was also used in the 1979 Rio de Janeiro Interzonal tournament also held in Brazil. Robert Huebner, Lajos Portish, and Tigran Petrosian tied for first place honors. Just like our Mustang series, the King comes with two beauteous king finials(each side) & proudly stands at 4.3/4.5 inches and its base is robust 1.6 inches. Know More->

1950 Dubrovnik Bobby Fischer Reproduced Chess Set V2 in Burnt Lacquer Finish also made its debut and gathered a lot of fan attention. Like it’s predecessor, this chess set was designed without any religious symbols, without the king crown or bishop mitres. The pieces were designed for play and had wide bases and the pieces required a chess board with minimum 55 mm squares. Know More->

Another noteworthy announcement from the past month is the Reproduced Ferocious Knights 1890’s Russian Tournament Chess Set. This spectacular chess set was used in premier Russian tournaments at that time. The original set is weighted with finely turned pieces and exquisite hand carved knights & we tried our best to replicate the same. Know More about this Product->

Lastly, you will be pleased to hear that we are going to launch exciting new chess sets soon, so stay tuned with us for the bunch of launches and amazing offers this Christmas season! Subscribe our newsletter here

Top 5 trending chess sets of July 2018

Special Edition Reproduced Vintage 1950’s Circa Bohemia Staunton Series German Chess Set

1961 Soviet Championship Baku Chess Set in Lacquer Finish Golden Dyed

Reproduced 1963-1966 Piatigorsky Cup Chess Set Wooden Chess Board Ebony Sheesham Wood

Reproduced 90s French Chavet Championship Tournament Chess Set

Reproduced Richard Whitty Antique Chess Set with King Side StampingAntique Circa 1870-1900 Staunton Series Chess Pieces

Happy Chess Playing!

Chess Blogs July 14, 2018

MONTHLY ROUND-UP – June 2018

Another month flew by and tradition dictates that once again we take a look at the new arrivals section and round up the most interesting chess sets of the past few weeks. If you think you might have missed something from the busy month, here is a list of what you have missed.

The Defender Luxury Series Staunton Chessmen

Reproduced 1963-1966 Piatigorsky Cup Chess Set in Antiqued Boxwood

1972 Reproduced Fischer-Spassky Staunton Pattern Chess Set V2.0

Reproduced 1961 Soviet Championship Baku Chess Set in Lacquer Finish Golden Dyed

Special Edition Reproduced Vintage 1950’s Circa Bohemia Staunton Series German Chess Set in Lacquer Finished Painted Crimson Boxwood

Let’s see what the gossip is all about. First and foremost, perhaps, is the Defender luxury series Staunton chessmen. This is a luxury design featuring the magnificently robust and remarkable knight. Knights have a divergent style of carving on each side making even more captivating pieces from different angle views. There are 6 cuts in the turrets of the rook.

Related: Want to relax? Try Chess

Moving ahead to reproduced 1963-1966 Piatigorsky cup chess set. We’ve launched one of our best selling Piatigorsky chess set in the new antique finish. This fascinating Staunton-style chess set (referred latterly as Piatigorsky Cup Chess Set) was designed by the U.S. International Master Herman Steinern in the mid-1940s.

Coming on to the 1972 Reproduced Fischer-Spassky Staunton Pattern Chess Set V2.0. We’ve reintroduced our impeccable reproduction in the antique & Sheesham variant. This historic Fischer and Boris Spassky Chess set was produced by the legendary company Jaques of London, who also introduced the first Staunton chess set in the fall of 1849. We have reproduced the exact reproduction of the chess set used during the iconic 1972 World Chess Championship rivalry match between legendary Bobby Fischer and reigning Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland. The reproduction of Fischer and Boris Spassky Chess set(also known as Reykjavik chess set) has been attempted – but never before accurate like this. This reproduction exemplifies a perfect combination of class and history.

Next, on the list is Championship Baku Chess Set. chessbazaar® proudly presents the reproduced 1961 Soviet Championship Baku Chess Set in a unique premium chocolate color. The dark pieces are made of genuine Ebonized boxwood and the light pieces are made of Golden Dyed Boxwood. The carving and turning the quality of the knight is quite spectacular. Knights have a divergent style of carving on each side making even more captivating pieces from different angle views.And as long as we are on the subject of reproduced antique chess sets, the new “Special Edition Reproduced Vintage 1950’s Circa Bohemia Staunton Series German Chess Set ” is one that deserves some attention. Pieces are beautifully hand carved in Painted Crimson Boxwood. The lathe work on each chess piece is noteworthy, especially the unique collar rings and unique Dubrovnik Chess Set like bishops. All chess pieces have a wide base which adds another interesting dimension to the set.

Related: What is a Chess Olympiad?

Lastly, you will be pleased to hear that we are going to launch exciting new chess sets soon, so stay tuned with us for the bunch of launches and amazing offers this fall season! Subscribe our newsletter here>>

That’s all for now. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest releases, offers & promotions. We’d glad to know your views and experiences of the chess sets which you have purchased from us. You can also get the updates direct to your email by sign-up to our newsletter. See you again next month!