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Chess Sets February 21, 2023

Why Luxury Chess Sets are Expensive and Why do you Own One?

Chess is an age-old game that has evolved over the years to become a popular pastime for millions of people worldwide. The game is enjoyed by people of all ages, and it is played with a set of 32 chess pieces that are strategically placed on a square board with 64 squares. While there are many types of chess sets available in the market, luxury chess sets are often considered the most desirable. These sets are not only visually stunning but are made of high-quality materials, such as ebony, bud rosewood, and boxwood, making them quite expensive. In this blog post, we will explore why luxury chess sets are so expensive and why one would want to own one.

The Rarity of the Materials: Luxury chess sets are made of high-quality materials that are often rare and difficult to source. For example, ebony, which is a popular wood used in the making of luxury chess sets, is not only scarce but also expensive. Ebony trees grow very slowly, and their wood is dense and durable, which makes it an ideal choice for chess pieces that are meant to last for generations. Other materials such as bud rosewood and boxwood are also rare and expensive due to their unique properties. The cost of these materials is reflected in the price of the final product.
Handmade by Skilled Artisans: Another reason why luxury chess sets are so expensive is that they are often handmade by skilled artisans. Each set requires countless hours of work, and the process of making one is very labour-intensive. For example, the process of carving a single chess piece out of a block of wood can take several hours. It requires a great deal of skill, patience, and attention to detail to create a set of chess pieces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The artisans who create these sets are highly skilled and often work in small, family-owned businesses that have been passed down from generation to generation.
The Exclusivity of the Brand: Luxury chess sets are often associated with high-end brands that are known for their quality and exclusivity. For example, Chessbazaar is a leading manufacturer of luxury chess sets that has been in business since 2007. The company offers a wide range of sets that are handmade and designed to be both functional and visually stunning. The Chessbazaar brand is synonymous with quality, and their sets are often considered to be collector’s items. The exclusivity of the brand is reflected in the price of the final product.
The Aesthetics of the Design: Luxury chess sets are not only functional but are also designed to be visually stunning. The sets are often crafted to be works of art that are meant to be displayed and admired. For example, the pieces may be carved in intricate designs or feature unique shapes and patterns. The boards themselves may also be made of high-quality materials and be adorned with intricate designs or inlays. The aesthetic value of these sets is often reflected in their price.

Why Own a Luxury Chess Set?

There are many reasons why one might want to own a luxury chess set. For starters, these sets are often heirloom quality and are meant to be passed down from generation to generation. They are also designed to be both functional and visually stunning, making them a great addition to any home or office. Additionally, owning a luxury chess set can be seen as a status symbol, as it reflects one’s taste and appreciation for fine craftsmanship.

Another reason why one might want to own a luxury chess set is that they offer a unique playing experience. The weight and feel of the pieces, the smoothness of the board, and the overall design of the set can all contribute to a more enjoyable and immersive chess-playing experience. For serious players, owning a high-quality set can make a significant difference in their playing ability and enjoyment of the game.

Are you a true lover of the timeless game of chess, seeking an unique playing experience? Or do you long to make a bold statement, proudly showcasing your unique taste and appreciation for exquisite aesthetics? Look no further than below mentioned chess sets, as these luxury chess sets are tailor-made for individuals like you, who understand that chess is not only a game but an artful expression of sophistication and intellect!

Let’s have a close look at amazing luxury chess sets by Chessbazaar:

Combo Of The Pegasus Series Artisan Staunton Chess Pieces Ver 2.0 In Ebony/Boxwood – 4.6″ King With Wooden Chess Board & Storage Box

CB Mustang Series of our Luxury Chess Sets — Combo Of The CB Mustang Series Weighted Chess Pieces In Bud Rose/Box Wood – 4.4″ King With Extra Queens With Wooden Chess Board

Combo of Chessbazaar Sher-E-Punjab Series — Combo Of The Sher-E-Punjab Series Chess Pieces In Ebony Wood/Box Wood – 4.6″ King With Storage Box

Old Collector's Club Staunton Series of Our Luxury Chess Sets — Combo Of The Old Collector’s Club Staunton Series Chess Pieces In Ebony/Box Wood- 4.4″ King & Deluxe Black Dyed Poplar & Sycamore Matte Finish Board

Ruffian American Series in our Luxury Chess Sets — Combo of Ruffian American Series Chess Pieces In Bud Rose/Box Wood & Bud Rosewood Chessboard – 4.8″ King

A Quick Guide to Find the Perfect Chess Set November 16, 2022

6 Tips to Choose the Best Chess Board for Your Need

Introduction

Do you want to start playing chess, but don’t know how to choose the perfect board? This step-by-step guide will help you find the best board for your needs. There are a few things to consider when making your purchase, such as size, materials, and style.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced chess player, choosing the right chess board is important. The wrong board can make the game more difficult and frustrating than it needs to be. In this blog post, we will discuss the different factors you need to consider when choosing a chess board, as well as some of the best boards on the market today.

Let’s get started!

How to Choose the Perfect Chess Board?

While choosing a chess set may be partly based on preferences, it’s also important to consider the practicality of your decision. Do you prefer wooden or vinyl? By knowing precisely what you want, the decision will be much easier.

Some of the criteria that you might want to keep in mind are

Serious gameplay or purely decorative?
Travel Vs Home
Size
Material
Design
Budget

Let’s take a closer look at each one of them

● Serious gameplay or one that is purely decorative?

When purchasing a chess set, you might not think to ask yourself whether the set is for play or decoration. However, it’s an important question with a surprising answer – some sets are made purely for decoration and aren’t meant to be played with at all. While all of our sets are beautiful, some don’t play as well as others. For example, take a look at our “Slightly Imperfect Chessboard Series“– they are all stunning! However, because the pieces aren’t easily identifiable, it can be tough to play a game with them.

● Is the chessboard meant for home use or travel?

One of the most important steps in choosing a chessboard is whether you want a portable set or one for your home. If you plan to travel with it, make sure it’s not too heavy or delicate. You wouldn’t want it taking up valuable space in your luggage either.

Usually, portable versions of anything come with some sort of sacrifice in quality. For example, cheaper boards are likely to be less aesthetically pleasing than their sleeker counterparts that stay at home.

For those wanting a more convenient option, consider purchasing a folding board or small wooden chessboard with designated hollow spaces to keep all the pieces in one place.

A magnetic chessboard is a great option for pieces that are less likely to get lost on long trips. This way, you can also play while traveling without the risk of losing pieces.

Check out our Travel Series Chessboard.

● Size of the Chessboard

The size of your chessboard will affect both the cost and accessibility, with larger boards being more expensive but easier to play on if you have bad eyesight.

If you buy the board and pieces separately, make sure that the size of the pieces fits 75% of a square on the chessboard. If you buy them together, don’t worry as they come sized correctly for one another.

● Material of the Chessboard

There are a few things you should take into consideration when deciding what type of chessboard to buy. Ask yourself how important the material is to you, and weigh that against other factors such as price and durability.

For example, materials like wood or marble might be more attractive but they’re also usually more expensive and less durable. Wooden chess boards can easily get scratched, and marble can chip fairly easily as well.

If you don’t travel with your chess board, however, this shouldn’t be an issue. Otherwise, plastic chess sets are both affordable and durable; though they lack the feeling of authenticity that often comes with hand-crafted pieces.

● Design of the Chessboard

There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a design for your chessboard. If you buy the board and pieces together, they will usually match in color and style.

Some people prefer a more classic look while others prefer something more modern or even whimsical.

One important thing to consider is how good you are with chess notations.

If you can easily recognize a square without having the letters “a to h” and numbers “1 to 8” printed on the edge of the board, you should probably go with one that doesn’t have them.

On the other hand, if you’re just starting or need a little help keeping track of where each piece goes, it might be worth getting a chessboard with these notations.

● Budget

Your budget is, of course, a major factor when choosing any type of chess set. If you’re looking for a high-quality board with beautiful pieces, you can expect to pay more.

If you’re just starting, however, there are plenty of chess sets available at a lower price point. You can always upgrade later on as your skills improve.

Consider these factors when choosing a chess set and you’re sure to find the perfect one for you!

Shop CB Genuine Black Leather Sling Bag for Wooden Chess Board Fits up to 21″ or 54 cm Square Chessboards

Conclusion

So, what’s the best chessboard for you? It depends on your needs and preferences. We hope this article has helped make the process a little less daunting.

If you’re still stuck or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to help.

Happy shopping!

Blog on Chess August 25, 2022

What is a Chess Olympiad?

Chess enthusiasts, this one’s for you!

Have you ever considered participating in the Chess Olympiad? The Chess Olympiad is a prestigious event that takes place every two years. It brings together the best chess players from all over the world to compete in a series of challenging matches.

Playing against some of the best chess players in the world will help you improve your skills and strategies. And who knows – maybe you could be one of the top players at the next Olympiad!

In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Chess Olympiad. We will also provide tips on how to participate in this prestigious event!

What is a Chess Olympiad?

The Chess Olympiad is a team tournament for chess players from all over the world. The event is organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and is held every two years. The first Olympiad was held in 1927, and the event has been held regularly since 1950.

Many people believe that the chess olympiad is in some way related to the Olympic games, but this is not correct. The Chess Olympiad has no connection with the Olympics Games.

How to Participate in the Chess Olympiad?

The Chess Olympiad is open to players of all abilities, from beginners to grandmasters.

Fide Logo

If you are part of a national chess federation that is a member of FIDE, then you can inquire about participating in the event.

Because FIDE is a sporting federation that is recognized by the IOC and signatory to the WADA conventions, they are obligated to adhere to specific rules- one of which requires doping tests at events such as the Olympiad.

It is paramount that the participant adheres to all the Anti-Doping Policies of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)

Chess Olympiad Format

The tournament is divided into two sections: the Open section, for players with an Elo rating below 2300, and the Women’s section, for female players with an Elo rating below 2200.

The format of the tournament is an 11-round Swiss tournament, in which each team competes against every other team. There are a total of 11 rounds in the tournament.

Each team consists of four players, plus a reserve player and a captain. The tournament is held over two weeks, with each team playing one match against each of the other teams.

In each round, teams are paired off against each other, with each team assigning one player to each board (1-4).

The matches consist of players from each board of one nation playing against the corresponding board of the opponent nation (board one vs. board one, board two vs. board two, and so on).

The time control for each game is 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move (90+30), with an additional 30 minutes added after move 40.

Players cannot draw by agreement before move 30. This format ensures that every team has a fair chance to win the tournament and that all the matches are exciting and close.

Click here to access the complete Rules and Regulations Handbook governed by FIDE

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

Chess Olympiad Points System

The winner of each section is determined by a points system, with each match victory worth 1 point, each draw worth 0.5 points, and 0 points for a loss.

If the match ends in a draw, there are no tiebreaks.

The team that wins the Olympiad is the one with the most points from all of its matches at the end of the tournament and is declared the Olympiad Champion.

How are the pairings decided?

The Olympiad employs a Swiss pairing system, much like ordinary chess tournaments. The basic idea is that as the competition progresses, teams will be linked with one another based on their score: top teams will battle against each other, and likewise for the bottom.

Although the clear disadvantage of this format is that the early rounds may have some very one-sided games.

What is the prize for winning the Chess Olympiad?

The Olympiad is a prestigious international chess tournament that features team and individual non-monetary prizes based on performance.

The prizes are divided into 2 categories – Team Prizes and Individual Prizes

Team Prizes

The Hamilton-Russell Cup is the championship trophy for the winning team in the open division. The cup is kept by the winners until the next event when it is handed over to the next winner.

The Vera Menchik Cup is given to the winning women’s team as a prize in memory of the first Women’s World Chess Champion.

Teams that finish in the top three also receive team medals: Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals for the first, second, and third place respectively.

Individual Prizes

Players who are assigned the same board number compete against each other to win individual medals. These medals are given out based on their performance rating: Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals for the first, second and third place respectively.

FAQs about the Chess Olympiad

What is the frequency of the chess olympiad?

The Chess Olympiad is held every two years. The next edition will be held in Budapest, Hungary from 10 to 23 September 2024.

What are the eligibility criteria to participate in the chess olympiad?

The only eligibility criteria is that your national chess federation must be a member of FIDE. If it is, then you can participate in the Chess Olympiad regardless of age.

Key Takeaways

In this blog post, we have provided information on how to participate in this prestigious tournament. We have also outlined the format of the tournament and explained the points system.

We hope that this blog post has provided you with everything you need to know about the Chess Olympiad. If you have any further questions, please do let us know in the comments below.

So what are you waiting for? Start preparing for the Chess Olympiad today!

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

Benefits of Chess November 25, 2020

Thriving Chess in COVID-19 Times

In this world where everybody is overwrought by some or the other thing whether it is work, family and so on. Where people are getting more and more consumed by the technologies every day, Covid-19 seems to have changed their lives forever.

Chess, the great ancient game has come as a pleasant surprise in the life of many during the lockdown imposed by this epidemic. How surprising and delightful it is to know that the game thatonce had lost its relevance in today’s fast world, has made its space in the hearts of millions all over the globe once againdue to Covid-19.

Chess has made a comeback in millions of household

Earlier, as we all know chess was mostly played by the venerable and the aged but due to lockdown imposed because of Covid-19, many got much engrossed in chess as they had nothing better to do. People had forgotten what it felt like to spend quality time and cherish the little moments of life with their loved ones.

Lockdown brought life to a standstill for everybody. This also opened the doors for introspection and retrospection; people got to learn about themselves and their families even more. Before the lockdown everybody used to be in a great hurry and nobody had the time to contemplate about how they felt and what they were actually doing. Their thoughts and actions were aimed at race of life while actual life was passing them by.

People started to look for different ways to while away the hours during the lockdown. Many of them found playing chess as a whiff of fresh air. The more they played the more they enjoyed this beautiful game so much so that some people became chess aficionados before they even knew it.

Playing chess instead of sitting idle and dawdle all day long.Itsalso one of the best ways to boost up your cognitive skills. It helps us to enhance our various skills such as problem solving, decision making, abstract reasoning, strategic thinking and so on which are very important for everybody to survive in today’s world. Most of the people prefer playing chess with friends and family which is also a good way to spend quality time with your loved ones. Hence the list of benefits from chess is endless.

Praveen Thipsay, India’s third grand-master has been spending many hours teaching chess online during the lockdown. For the first time in his life, he has also started playing chess tournaments online. “I have enjoyed playing online,” he says. “I have played five tournaments so far and it felt nice posting wins against some strong foreign Grandmasters.”

With Anand, Carlsen and numerous other top players contending in online competitions consistently, chess is most likely the main game that is canvassed routinely in the media during the lockdown. The world’s top class players are competing online ever since the physical tournaments got shut down because of the pandemic. Lockdown can be seen as a great opportunity for AICF (All India Chess Federation) to conduct online tournaments where less arrangements are required as compared to physical tournaments.

While the pandemic has shut down most of the sports, chess continues to persevere. The popular chess sites like chess.com, chess24, lichess hired technicians and engineers to deal with the growing demand from people all around the globe. Nick Barton, the director of business development for chess.com said that the sites experienced five years of growth in just three months only because of the pandemic. Online tournaments still continue to rise.

Also Read: To Our chessbazaar Family on COVID-19

Chessbazaar.com also experienced rising orders from all over the globe because of the lockdown.

The pandemic completely changed the graphs of every popular chess site whether it is online chess or relating to sales of chess sets and chessboards. The pandemic, for many people served as a pathway to work on their mental skills and enhance their IQ levels. There has been a surge in online chess tournaments. Chess, during the lockdown and because of covid19 has been all about ascension. Although the world experienced a halt, chess managed to make its way up and keep people busy. All you need to do is turn your devices on and start with the tournament.

What a sorted way to keep yourselves occupied and at the same time to enhance your cognition. Chess advances creativity and innovativeness of the mind. It also instructs freedom and self-will. You are influenced to make important decisions affected by your own judgments.

Chess also develops our ability to anticipate and foresee the upshots of actions. It helps us to choose the right direction, the right road. It also shows that achievement rewards hard work and patience. Perhaps one of the best players ever, Capablanca said, “You may learn much more from a game you lose than a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player.” It is one of the best mentally stimulating games ever. Focus and concentration is the sine qua non of every chess experience.

Numerous children play computer games that are addictive in a negative manner. A portion of the disadvantages to video game playing are: the extraordinary requirement for moment satisfaction, playing constantly for quite a long time, withdrawal manifestations when asked to shut down the games. This results in increased aggression and annoyance among kids. Chess is one of the greatest alternatives to such addictive video games.

Chess improves executive functioning. As indicated by National Center for Learning Disabilities, “Executive functioning is a bunch of mental cycles that associates past involvement in present activity. Individuals use it to perform exercises, for example, arranging, sorting out, planning, focusing on and recalling details, and overseeing reality.”

Chess permits kids to rehearse all the features of executive functioning and gives an inspiration to participate in every one of these aspects. Hence kids who experience issues with leader working will expand these abilities.

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Blog on Chess February 17, 2020

Types of Chess Games

Not just one but there are many ways to play chess!

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Chess can be played with different formats and rules. Each format may differ in terms of time or standard positions or standard powers. Many create their own version of chess by altering the standards ( prescribed time or positions) accordingly to make the game more thrilling and exciting.

Today, We will discuss variants of chess played in the world. Let’s Go!

Standard

What the world usually plays!

A game where the projected duration of the entire game is either equal to 15 minutes or more.

Time: 15 minutes or more

Untimed

Untimed chess games are those in which chess clocks are not used so basically the start time is zero. The opponents can take as much time as they want to play the move. These are usually unrated games.

Longest chess game played?

20 hours and 15 minutes

The longest tournament chess game (in terms of moves) ever to be played was Nikolić–Arsović, Belgrade 1989, which lasted for 269 moves and took 20 hours and 15 minutes to complete a drawn game.

Wild

Wild chess games are different from other types as they do not commence with the standard positions. In these games pieces are kept on non-standard positions, in addition, chess pieces are also rated in a different manner.

A variant of a wild chess game is that the white chessmen on the chess board are set up in the traditional positions, but the position of black king and queen is interchanged.

Standard Walnut Maple Wooden Chess Board

Armageddon

A game that will surely produce a result, and will not end up in a draw, even if it does it means that the Black wins as the rule is the draw will mean black’s victory. To balance the advantage of the black side, White chess pieces have more time on the clock.

Type of chess game in which different rules apply for each of the two players.

Regular standardized times are six minutes for White and five for Black, or five minutes for White and four for Black. This can also be played with a small increment/decrement in the time frame.

Rapid

2019’s world Rapid Chess Championship held in Moscow, Russia each player received 15 minutes for the entire game. Plus a 10 seconds increment starting from move 1.

India’s Humpy Koneru won the women’s title after beating Lei Tingjie of China in a blitz playoff. Magnus Carlsen, the living legend, won the men’s title.

Time: 10 minutes or more.

Blitz

The time allowed in this type of chess is 5 minutes or less per side. Three minutes with a two-second increment is also preferred because of the introduction of digital clocks.

Time: 5 minutes

This is called “time odds” and it is used in various tie breaks for quick tournaments.

Super-Blitz

Time: 3 minutes or less

1) The time limit between moves shall be ten seconds.

2) Where a buzzer is used, each player on his turn to move shall move immediately the buzzer sounds – not before or after.

3) A move must be completed before the buzzer ceases to sound or the time on the clock expires.

Lightning

The fastest type of chess game. A player has to wait 10 seconds to make a move. This pause creates a different rhythm of the play and makes it different from Bullet or Blitz.

This type of gameplay needs experience, focus & speed.

Time: 1 minute

Bullet

Other time control options for bullet games include 2 minutes with a one-second increment.

Time: 1-2 minutes

Also Read: Why do you play chess? By Conrad Conero

Benefits of Chess January 28, 2020

Skills to Master Through Chess

Chess, the game as we define it, is an amalgamation of moves, moves that define your winning or losing. The same way your life’s outcome depends on your moves (your habits, your consistency and planning). In chess, our goal is to checkmate the king. In life there are many goals, may it be quitting a bad habit, clearing a competitive exam or acquiring a new skill. All of them need focus, consistency and planning. But the million-dollar question is that how can you develop these skills?

Most of the chess champions are from Russia, now why is that?

The answer is practice.

Because in Russia, chess is practiced from a very young age. It’s added in their academic curriculum in mostly all education institutions. Practice or play chess as it will help to improve your skills, these skills are essential to help you to achieve anything in life.

At chessbazaar, we believe in providing chess for everyone. We provide all types of chess-related products such as chess set, chess pieces, chess boards and other chess accessories at reasonable prices without compromising on the quality.

The following are some skills you can master through chess, if you practice it regularly, you will surely see its positive effects in your life.

Collection of Chess Pieces and Chess Boards — The 1950s Soviet Latvian Reproduction

Observation

“To acquire knowledge, one must study;
but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”
― Marilyn vos Savant

In this context, we just need to keep our mind focused and your glance on the chessboard. Don’t let yourself get distracted by anything. Observation doesn’t mean you have to observe everything in surroundings, but you should rather be focused on your next move.

Memory Enhancement

Memory is an important feature of the human mind. Memory gets sharp when one tries hard to remember chess moves of the opponent as well as his own. We should use this aspect of the human mind to our fullest potential and we can do it by mind exercises and what better exercise than chess!

Logic Enhancement

Logic is free of emotions and it deals very specifically with a set of information in its truest form. Logic plays an important role when one is clouded by enormous thoughts and strategies. Asking yourself the right questions to find a logical pattern (which is the key) and once the pattern is found, then the logic fastens and your logical ability to solve a puzzle craves for more problems.

Analysis

When we play a game of chess, after finishing we must analyze the moves and try to figure out what we could have done, what we should have focused on, this technique will help the player in future games. Through this process, we teach ourselves to get more advanced in the game by analyzing our and competitor’s good and bad moves.

An analysis is very important for progress in any field. At chessbazaar, we have exactly the chess set which is used by players to analyze the chess games in their training called analysis chess sets.

Academic Performance

It is said that the ruler of India asked his wise men to devise a way to teach the children of the royal family to become better thinkers and better generals on the battlefield. Chess was the result.

Most schools in the world have chess as an extra-curricular activity. Countries like Albania, Netherlands and many other European counties lay emphasis on chess activities. Chess helps in Focusing, Visualizing & Planning which helps the students in other subjects significantly.

Calmness under Pressure

In order to reap the rewards that a state of calmness can bring into your life, you will need to become more mindful. Being more mindful means being more focused on the moment.

It means letting go of past regrets. It means redirecting your mind away from current stresses, and it also means refocusing yourself away from future worries. You can try this by focusing your mind on a puzzle or a chess game.

Chess forces you to think critically and slowly, it forces you to be patient enough to create a trap for the opponent and cherish him being caught.

To stay calm under pressure is very difficult, but as you practice and practice you enjoy the competition and feel home. And, when you feel home, you are the king.

Creative Thinking

As discussed above, creating traps for your competitor you need creativity and improvisation. Each move catalyzes your creative thinking. In chess, you are forced to find out each & every possible move, you can take to evade capture or kill of your pieces.

“Mystery is at the heart of creativity.”
― Julia Cameron

Increases concentration.

Chess offers immediate penalties and rewards for problem-solving which forces the player to bring his/her full attention to the problem at hand. One tries hard to counter the opponent’s move in a manner that saves our piece under attack. Focus and discipline can be other outcomes of chess.

Chess creates such an observing system in mind, when used faithfully, can bring out success.

Play Chess with More Confident — It’s all about keeping the calm in the chaos.

Benefits of Chess December 13, 2019

Want to relax? Try Chess

According to Gallup Global Emotions Report people around the world are becoming angrier, anxious and stressed. According to the report, some 150,000 people were interviewed in 140 countries, one-third said they feel stressed, one-fifth said they experienced anger and sadness.

Since many people are getting more stressed due to busy schedule or home/office chores, we recommend deviating your mind from the problem you are facing for a little while and get yourself busy in any activity which relieves stress.

Recreational activities such as trekking, indoor/ outdoor games help relieve stress. For a problem to be solved a mind should be relaxed, focused & creative.

Knight - Luxurious Chess Pieces — Beautiful Pieces of Chess surely create a beautiful view

Stress doesn’t solve the problem but adds to the problem. The vision becomes blurry and the thinking starts to be negative. This might be due to excessive use of Audio/Video devices such as mobiles, TV or Play stations.

Guess what! We have a game that is scientifically proven to be helpful in developing analytical skills and developing the brain to be more focused, creative and also help you in reducing anxiety levels.

The game is Chess, which is known for the many beneficial effects it has on a human brain. Chess is actually considered a total brain workout. May it be reading, listening or concentration skills, chess definitely improves them when one plays it regularly.

Chess has many positive effects when played regularly. Some of them are mentioned below:

Anxiety management.
Chess improves decision-making skills.
Chess improves memory.
Chess enhances IQ.
Chess helps you socialize and make new friends.

We at chessbazaar offer wooden handcrafted chess sets suiting to amateurs and professionals. From plastic chess sets and tournament chess pieces, people who are new to this game or people who are just trying this game for leisure purposes or some serious club chess players. We also offer some amazing chess boards to choose from. We have luxury chess sets and antique chess sets for chess collectors and enthusiasts.

Collection of handcrafted chess pieces — Our in-Trending Products

We are in love with chess and after reading this blog we are waiting for you to join us :).

Not just chess but other strategy wooden games such as Backgammon and Checkers are also in the same league, though not as popular as chess, but is as addictive as chess.

Another scientific fact is that there is no radiation emission from pieces of wood (chess pieces & chess boards) unlike modern devices such as mobiles, Tabs, Laptops which only increase the stress and put a strain on your eyes.

Many students & teachers use chess as an extra-curricular activity for the development of the brain.

Benefits of Playing Chess to Kids/Students

If young kids are introduced to chess in early age they can be future leaders one day as persistence, faith, patience, foresight, analyzing and decision-making skills can easily be grasped by them which they will experience in the game-play and will definitely help them have a clear focused mind to choose what they want to be in life.

Benefits of Playing Chess to Senior citizens

A Story: An old man decides to learn chess at the age of 76 after his wife’s death. He was very lonely and depressed and was having no purpose in life. So, after he learned chess he became an active member of the local chess club. He felt the change, he became positive by looking at this new phase of life with just adapting to an activity, in this case, its chess. He became friends with many through chess and is no longer feeling low. So, it is obvious that playing chess is a great activity for retired people.

Chess is an exciting, challenging, and thrilling game for people of all ages to play with one another.

Chess player participating in Chessbazaar Chess Challenge — *1849 Original Staunton Chess Pieces* in action

New scientific research came out which shows that chess is so much more than just a game and states that it even changes the basic structure of our brains!

Related: Video Games Addict? Here’s How to Quit

Readers must know that when a person is confused and having trouble finding a solution to their problem he or she becomes stressed. Here comes cognitive behavior theory which states that playing a strategy game actually develops a brain to solve problems with focus and precision.

We recommend you should give chess and other wooden strategy games a try and see the change yourself.

Chess Blogs December 9, 2019

Best Designer & Unique Chess Sets for Décor, Study, Home Office or Library

If you think that chess sets are made to be played only between two players, then think again. Though recently, with the introduction of 3 players and 4 players chess set, chess is not a 2 player game anymore. Chess has grown many-folds as a game. The vast variety of chessmen (in design and structure) still amazes many.

Chess as a game has the respect and love of many around the world. The beauty of a chess set is not only a delight for players but also for the ones who actually don’t play.

Now you may wonder, How?

Actually, due to chess pieces being made in many beautiful and attractive designs and patterns, chess sets are also used as decor by many, may it be an office, home or library. Your eyes will definitely enjoy the beauty of an artistically made chess sets including chessboard and chessmen.

A chess set will surely give a grandeur look and feel to wherever you put it. It will definitely create an ambiance that defines elegance and intelligence at the same time.

Chess pieces came in many patterns and designs. While the majority of the chess sets come in traditional Staunton style, where knights resemble a horse, there are many pre-Staunton chess sets, which will be a perfect fit for your décor. In fact, some of the chess sets are so differently carved, it is hard to recognize them as a chess set.

Here are our recommendations for the chess set you should have as a décor for your home office, library or study.

Let’s start from the Staunton Style chess sets.

The Best Chess Sets for Home Décor

The Excalibur Chess Set

One of the most luxurious chess set in our inventory, Excalibur makes the perfect chess set for the home décor. You can keep it on a central table or in a lobby, depends on your liking. This 34 pieces chess set came in two different exotic kinds of wood, i.e Padauk a.k.a Bud Rosewood or the Ebony wood. Depending on the color theme of your indoor, you can pick any of your choices. These chess pieces are available in a set of 34 chess pieces with 2 extra queens and in a perfect combo if you want both board and pieces together.

The Excalibur Chess Set from Chessbazaar — **The Excalibur Chess Set**

2. The St. Petersburg Chess Set

This set gets its name from St Petersberg city as the final of the king is inspired by the golden dome of Saint Isaac’s Cathedral which dominates Russia’s rebel city St Petersburg skyline. The knight is the special attraction in this set with a tilted neck as if the horse is following his masters’ direction. To carve this knight, a carver needs at least 3 days to complete with the highest precision as a single mistake can ruin the whole of the knight. The chess set comes in both genuine ebony wood and padauk wood to choose from.

Artisan Series Chess Pieces from chessbazaar

3. The CB Mustang Chess Set

As always, the CB Mustang gets its inspiration from the Mustang horse. Mustang horses are known for their Strong and Sturdy legs, great intelligence and some of them have very great feathering or hair growth. The knights are precision crafted. The wavy & flowing mane of the knight represents the Mustang in full gallop. Another feature that sets this set apart is the rook. The rook or towers comes with a doubleheader that is well crafted and the inspiration comes from the Gothic castles mainly found in Europe. The set comes in both ebony and padauk wood with combinations of chess board to choose from.

You can also explore our other wide range of luxury chess pieces that come in a variety of exotic woods.

Some other pre-Staunton chess sets also look good and give an antique look to the corner of the house. Some of the antique sets are discussed below:

1. The Calvert Chess Set

Developed in the 17^th century in Ivory, this chess set is the most favorite and mostly collected by the collectors’ community throughout the world. We used to offer this set in camel bone, however, due to the high cost of camel bone due to the rarity we only make through special requests only. Though, we offer this set in bud rosewood aka padauk wood.

Chessbazaar Calvert Chess Set — **The Calvert Chess Set**

2. The Regency Chess Set

The French Regency chess set was also developed in the 18^th century in ivory, somewhere in France. This set is associated with a French regency period(the days of Richelieu and Mazarin). There are various variations of this chess set and the one we sell is known as German Cassette where the knight head and the base are two-piece. The regency set is available in Ebony Wood, Bud Rosewood and Ebonized Wood.

Famous Regency Chess Set — *The Regency Chess Set*

3. The Biedermeier Chess Set

The “Biedermeier” period is the period of the French Revolution in 1830 in France. The typical figure fo these times in Germany and Austria were “proper Mr. meier” (= der biedere Herr Meier), an archetype of the politically passive, worksome and philistrian petit bourgeois. These chessmen were made in the 19^th century mainly in Germany and Austria. There are different variations of Biedermeier chessmen and the one with slope bishops are the most remarkable chessmen ever produced. This beautiful chess set is reproduced in Bud Rosewood and boxwood.

4. The Calvert Type II Chess Set

The very fine and famous Calvert type II English Chessmen were produced in the 1800s. There were also known as the Barleycorn-style chess set. The fine carving and lathe work is a looker and they were initially produced in the ivory. This set also comes in different variations and styles. You can see the range of Calvert chess set in different woods and bone.

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