Amazing Unusual Chess Sets

Will you think I'm a total geek if I admit what a big trekkie I am? I never got into the original series, but Star Trek: TNG and DS9 had me totally enthralled. I even went so far as to learn a little klingonese, although I stopped because I was the only trekkie in the neighborhood and it's no fun to talk klingonese to yourself.
I can remember seeing this 3D chess game being played on the show. I always thought it would be cool if they were real (little did I know!). Although the rules are similar to traditional chess, having two more playing fields adds a whole extra element and makes you step up your strategy skills.

I guess it's no surprise that I'm a huge Star Wars fan too. As a child, I can remember watching those movies over and over again. I think I even wore out one of the tapes! When the last 3 Star Wars movies were released, I was one of those that waited in line at the theater for hours just so I could be one of the first to see them.
What would Yoda say about chess? "Strategize you must, or be beaten you will"

Star Wars Saga Chess Set

Dragons and fairies aren't just for kids anymore. In fact, I'm not ashamed to admit that I have quite a large collection of fairies arranged on the shelves in my bedroom. Nowadays, having something that features delicate fairies or lifelike dragons (like one of these dragon chess games) means you have something that is going to bring in a lot of attention.

3D Dragon Pewter Chess Set

3D Fairy Pewter Chess Set

I'd never admit this publicly, but I love history. As a child, I loved reading about the ancient Roman and Greek Gods and Goddesses. As a teenager, I loved learning about how people lived before there was architecture, dress codes and state laws. As an adult, I still love learning about history. I especially love it when I can see an accurate representation of a certain time period. That's what drew me to these history chess sets.

Celtic Chess Pieces by Studio Anne Carlton

One of the coolest things about new movies is all the movie themed games that come out afterward. The only thing I wish is that they would make more games out of adult movies. Of course, I doubt a "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" chess game would sell as good as a "Pirates of the Caribbean Chess" game....

Pirates of the Caribbean Chess

I have to admit to being a closet Harry Potter fan. The Harry Potter movies just have a way of sucking you right into the story. Like when Harry and Ron were playing chess. You can't tell me you weren't on the edge of your seat shouting the right chess moves to Harry (or was I the only one who did that?).

Harry Potter Final Challenge Chess Set

There are so many chess sets designed for boys, so I decided to feature some chess sets for girls. It's never to early to introduce chess to your little girl and these adorable pink chess boards could be that little extra thing that keeps her interested!

Pink and White Wooden Chess Game Set

I grew up laughing at all the adventures of Winnie the Poo and worrying what sort of trouble Alice was going to get into next (Wonderland was very dangerous!). These, along with other fairy tales, are timeless classics that I'm sure will still be told to my great-great-great-grandchildren.

Alice in Wonderland Hand-Painted Chess Set by Studio Anne Carlton

I grew up right next to a large Air Force Base. In school, I knew quite a few kids that couldn't wait to graduate so that they could enlist in some branch of the military. My own father was one of them. He enlisted in the army straight out of high school. He's always been proud of that. For as long as I can remember, there's always been a picture of him in full uniform hanging in the living room. That's why I like seeing stuff that commemorates the sacrifices the men and women in our military make.

Pearl Harbor Chess Set with Walnut Case

I used to laugh when people would talk about reenacting the small, yet important battles that seem to litter our nations history. It just seemed silly to me. Then a couple years ago I visited a "war camp". These people were actually living in the true style of that era to help them get into character as the big war reenactment day approached. Their dedication to making the reenactment seem as real as possible truly stunned me.
While these war chess sets don't exactly come to life, each one has been thoughtfully crafted to include all the little details that made each war famous. For instance, the revolutionary war chessmen look a great deal like the men they are meant to depict.

American Revolutionary War Hand-Painted Chess Pieces by Studio Anne Carlton

If you've read some of my other articles, you should already know that the love of my life weighs 7 pounds, has 4 legs and looks great in a dress. Yep. I love my little chihuahua to pieces. But it's not just her. I have a love for all animals (except maybe cats). I think that's why I love these chess sets with the animal chess pieces.

Chessboard with Animal Chess Pieces

I'm going to be completely honest here and admit that I'm not a big sports fan. I haven't watched the Super Bowl since the Cowboys beat the Steelers in '96 and I don't think I've ever sat through an entire baseball game. However, I have plenty of sports fans in my family. My Grandpa is a golf enthusiast. He keeps his clubs right next to the back door so he can run down to the golf course and play a few holes whenever he has some extra time. My oldest daughter is the star of her soccer team. And my husbands best friend is a Yankees fanatic. So the next time I need a gift for any of the sports fans in my life, I know one of these sports chess sets would be perfect!

Pewter Golf Chessmen With 15" Walnut Board

Anyone born in the last 60 years has probably played with Lego's at some point in their life. Children love playing with them because the miniature bricks can be built into anything they can imagine and parents love giving them to children because it's the one toy that's as educational as it is fun. These Lego chess sets take that fun education one step further by offering a fun toy that teaches a child two very important skills: patience and strategy.

Lego GIANT Chess Set

Nothing says quality like a hand carved chess set. These chess sets weren't mass produced in factories. There aren't a million of them being sold every year. These are all one of a kind masterpieces that someone spent a whole lot of time carving. Can you imagine how careful you'd have to be while carving all those little details? Owning a hand carved chess set means you know and appreciate the value of a persons time and skill.

The Caliph Chess Set
Hand carved in the Carpathian mountains of Europe

I don't mind admitting that I've always wanted a chess set table. In fact, at one point in time I even had plans to construct my own using elegant mahogany wood for the base and sleek marble for the chessboard. If I would have actually built it, I'm sure it would have been a thing of beauty. Of course, it probably wouldn't have been as beautiful as these chess set tables.

Espresso Artisan Chess Table

A chocolate chess set is just plain wicked cool. I mean, have you ever seen one? Probably not. So your chocolate chess set would be the talk of the town! Made of delicious milk chocolate and white chocolate, the only thing you'd have to worry about is someone eating your chocolate chess pieces!

Belgian Chocolate Chess Set

Photos and text; © 2011-2012 Catherine Taylor. All Rights Reserved*
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

*except where otherwise noted

Other Photo Credits

Chess Pieces by Alan Light

Lucena 1947by Leonardo Hutz y Lope Sanz

Deep Blue by James

Jewel Royal Chess Set by Checkmates USA

Crystal Palace by Tallis

Monkey chess by Animal Pictures

Star Trek by Atomic Rockets

Lewis Chessmen by Fernandopascullo