Unique Chess Sets - Beautiful Pieces For A Strategic Game

These days, apart from war themes that reflect days gone by, chess sets also come in other attractive modern themes. For instance, if you are a football fan, there is the Cowboys vs Redskins Plastic chess set (picture, right). Other sports theme chess sets that you can find include basketball and golf designs.

With the current trend to protect the earth's endangered wildlife, animal lovers can settle for the Endangered Species chess set. The pieces are crafted from marble resin with a choice of oak, cherry or storage board.

If you do like a war theme but find the Civil War design a little too common, the Legends of the Crusades chess set should appeal to you. The European chess pieces are made of marble resin and come in two sizes with the King measuring 3.25" or 4.5". There are also several options to choose from for the board to complement the chessmen.

For all of the above-mentioned chess sets and more, drop by ChessSets.com.

The Civil War chess set designs have always been popular since chess is all about outplaying the opponent. As there are quite a few sets to choose from, it would depend on your preference of the type of materials used to make the set and the look as well as feel of the pieces.

At the lower end is a 14 5/8" x 14 5/8" inch alabaster set (picture, right). The pieces are colorful with detailed costumes to reflect the time period.

A little bit more expensive is the Deluxe Civil War chess set. The board is made of frosted glass and is held aloft by corner columns shaped like a horse head. The pieces are made of polystone and beautifully painted to give the Civil War feel to the game.

For a different colored board, take a look at Wood Expressions Civil War chess set. The board is designed in light blue and natural color with hand-painted polystone pieces. The are two options to choose from with this design, a 17" or 19" board with 3 1/2" or 4" high figurines respectively.

At the high end, you can settle for a pewter chess set. For instance, the Pewter Civil War Theme chess set has its pieces made of solid pewter with detailed painting. The two kings are represented by President Lincoln and Jefferson Davis with a height of 3 1/4".

A decorative chess set should stand out if your purpose is to make it a focal point of the room. Depending on your purpose, a decorative chess set can be unique to invite conversation or simply classy to add refinement to the room.

For instance, the Deluxe Asian Style chess set (picture, right) will complement a room with Oriental decor. The pieces are handcrafted fom imitation soapstone and the board has two drawers for easy storage.

If you want something unique, there is the 3D Fairy chess set. The pieces are made of pewter with a polyresin base and its board sits on top of a decorative base. If fairy isn't a preferred theme for you, there is also a 3D Knight or 3D Dragon chess set for you to take your pick.

For an art deco feel, twisted shapes and delicate contours define the Dorian chess set. Made with marble resin with a two-tone color for the pieces, they are nicely complemented by a glass board.

All of the above and more decorative chess sets can be found at ChessSets.com.

With the increasing popularity of Oriental culture, various Chinese warrior chess set designs have also made their way into the market.

At the lower end, there is the Chinese Warrior chess set (picture, right) with the pieces made of polyresin and fashioned after olden days warriors. The set comes with a wood case with the lid for the case acting as the board.

For a more detailed set, you can't miss the Chinese Xian Terra-Cotta Warriors chess set. Also made of polyresin, the set sees the King designed as an Emperor and pawns as warriors.

For bigger pieces, there is the Wood Expressions Chinese Warrior chess set. The King measures 4 3/8" and the pieces are made of brown and ivory polystone. They are accompanied by a walnut root and natural board.

Wood chess sets are practical as they are not prone to being chipped or broken when dropped compared to other materials. The price would naturally depend on the type of wood used to make the set and the craftmanship.

Many wood chess sets come in rosewood and one affordable one is the French Lardy Staunton chess set in rosewood and boxwood (picture, right). The King measures 2 3/4" while the board is made of mahogany and maple.

For something really exquisite, the Wood Expressions 21" Redwood Staunton chess set features triple-weighted, hand polished chessmen made of ebony and kari wood and finished with leather bottoms. The board is crafted from redwood with 2 1/4" squares while the King measures 4" in height.

If you merely want an affordable set and not willing to spend above $50 to get one, then the Walnut Wood chess set may be for you. It comes with a tough and attractive board and has spring-loaded drawers to hold the pieces. The King measures 2 1/2" and the pieces are magnetic as well.

All these and more are available from ChessSets.com.