Chess sets in black and white are a timeless classic, with a wide variety of designs and styles that have been enjoyed by players of all ages and skill sets. Whether you're looking for sophistication and elegance, or something more whimsical and fun, you'll find a variety of chess sets in black and white to suit your individual needs.
Let's look at why these sets continue to be popular and explore some of the best options available:
History of Chess
Chess is a two-player strategy board game believed to have originated in Northern India in the 6th century. It is widely believed that the Indian version of chess traveled to Persia, and then later became popular in Europe due to influential players such as Charlemagne. The modern version of the game originated during the Late Middle Ages, and has evolved over time into its current form.
The most popular chess sets are black and white, and consist of six types of pieces: king, queen, bishop, knight, rook and pawns. Each type of piece (often referred to as men) has unique abilities that differentiate it from other types of pieces.
- The king is able to move one square at a time horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
- The queen can move any number of squares in any direction on a straight line.
- Bishops can move any number of squares diagonally.
- Knights can jump over other pieces on an empty square if it gets moved two squares horizontally followed by one square vertically or vice versa.
- Rooks can move any number of squares either horizontally or vertically.
- Pawns can with random movement forward by one square at a time except for their first move where they could occupy two spaces on their destinated square at the same time – so long as the space infront is empty – before having to switch back down onto one space only when moving forward thereafter.
Benefits of Playing Chess
Chess is a game of strategy, skill and mental endurance. It can provide a number of mental and physical benefits for both children and adults. Here are some of the key advantages of playing chess:
- Improved logic and problem solving skills: Chess involves planning ahead and thinking logically about how to achieve the most effective strategies. Through the repeated practice of these strategies, players can develop a stronger sense of logical thinking that can help in other areas such as school or work.
- Faster reflexes: Players learn to develop quick reflexes while playing chess in order to anticipate their opponent's moves. This enhanced agility is beneficial not only in games but also in sports or other activities that require quick responses.
- Better memory: Chess involves recalling various pieces, moves, positions and strategies which all require the use of memory skills. Repeated practice of this activity can lead to an improved overall memory capacity which has been linked with prevention against brain diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer's later on in life.
- Increased creativity: While performing all the above tasks, players must also display creative thinking when faced with complicated situations on the board. Playing chess encourages exploration into new possibilities and helps stimulate creative thinking which is beneficial for any kind of intellectual endeavour beyond just the game itself!
- Enhanced concentration and focus: In today's world it is more important than ever to pay attention and focus – something that comes from regular practice in chess -paying attention to your own pieces (strategy), monitoring your opponents' pieces (position) as well as anticipating potential threats (tactics).
Types of Chess Sets
When it comes to chess sets, there is a wide range of options available. Whether you are looking for something traditional, classic, modern, or unique, there is sure to be a chess set that fits your style. Chess sets also come in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials, including black and white.
Here, we will discuss the different types of chess sets available in black and white:
Plastic Chess Sets
Plastic chess sets are the most common type of chess set and can be found in a wide variety of styles, ranging from traditional to novelty. They come in many different shapes and sizes, and usually feature attractive stenciling or sculpting on the pieces. Plastic sets are ideal for players of all experience levels who want to enjoy classic strategy without investing in a more expensive wooden set.
At its simplest, a plastic chess set is made up of two opposing sides, each with eight pawns, two rooks, two knights, two bishops and one king and queen. There's almost no limit to the color varieties available these days: you can get classic black and white sets with ivory-colored pieces or something far more novel–multi-colored designs featuring dragons or even superheroes! The pieces are usually made from hard plastic that won't dent easily when moved around on the board which is often made from cardboard covered with a glossy vinyl coating.
Besides being generally affordable–costing anywhere from five to fifty dollars depending on the design–plastic sets typically require next to no maintenance over their lifespan: just a few drops of oil if they become too noisy or sticky when moved across the board. Furthermore, these sets tend to have excellent detailing which adds an aesthetic quality that even luxury wood models cannot offer. If you're looking for an easy way to start your own collection of royal game accessories at home without breaking your budget, plastic chess sets might just be it!
Wooden Chess Sets
Wooden, or traditional, chess sets are some of the oldest types of chess sets around. Dating back centuries, wooden sets come in a variety of materials including maple, oak and rosewood.
Wooden chess sets typically come with two different colors for the pieces; traditionally light and dark wood, but can also come in wood and bone, or even beautifully hand-painted finishes. Wooden styles typically feature a fixed board with built-in compartments that hold each set of chess pieces inside them. These types of boards usually have hinges on one side to open and close.
Wooden sets are usually more expensive than other types because they provide more stability while playing while also being pleasing to the eye. They are handcrafted from quality materials and often engraved or painted with intricate designs; a true sign of craftsmanship that can be displayed for generations.
Travel Chess Sets
Travel chess sets are designed with portability in mind and typically come in a variety of sizes depending on the size of the pieces. These types of chess sets usually have playing pieces that feature convenient finger holes for easy grasping, as well as magnetic locks to hold the pieces in place. This makes them great for road trips, plane rides, or simply playing at a café. Common materials used to make these sets include plastic, magnetized plastic, metal, and wood. The lesser expensive travel chess sets may come with some compromises in design or material quality, but there are also luxury travel sets made from artisanal materials that provide the same size convenience but with higher quality items.
Popular types of travel chess set styles include:
- Magnetic Travel Chess Set: Magnetic bases prevent pieces from sliding off board when tilted or moved; typically made from thin plastic or wood boards and standard-sized plastic pieces
- Pocket Chess Set: Very small case with pieces that fit inside; lightweight enough to carry in pocket
- Folding Travel Chess Sets: Hinged boards allow it to be folded closed; often sells as a complete set including magnetized pieces
- Vinyl Rollup Chess Sets: Rolls open & closed like a scroll; allows for quick & easy setup and closure; pieces stored inside pockets
Luxury Chess Sets
As the popular saying goes, “go big or go home” and when it comes to luxurious chess sets, this is certainly true. Luxury chess sets offer an unparalleled level of craftsmanship, using a range of materials including marble and fine woods. 'Luxury' is sometimes an overused term, but with these chess sets it truly pays off – these are some of the most opulent and finely crafted boards on the market.
Generally featuring a classic styling, they can range from the impressively ornate Royal Jaques Sovereign Edition Set to those with simple but intricate detail like the Jaeger Elite Series Art Deco Set. This type of set will turn your game into a conversation piece – each piece has its own delightful character that adds to play with every move. Luxury sets are also highly durable, meaning your set will last for years and generations when looked after correctly.
Luxury sets typically come in standard 8×8 formats across all pieces, but master carvers can customize them in size and design to meet special needs or demands. These are premium items so expect nothing less than enormous quality – impress your friends (and perhaps enemies), by showing off your luxurious new chess set on game night!
Choosing the Right Chess Set
Choosing the perfect chess set for yourself or as a gift can be difficult, with so many different options out there. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right chess set, including material, look, size, and portability. One of the most important factors is whether you want a black and white set or a more colorful one. Let's take a look at what you should consider when making your decision.
- Material – what kind of material do you want your chess pieces to be made of?
- Look – what kind of aesthetic do you want your chess set to have?
- Size – what size chess set do you need?
- Portability – do you need a chess set that is easy to transport?
- Color – do you want a black and white set or a more colorful one?
Size
Size is an important factor to consider when selecting a chess set. As a rule, the large pieces on wooden sets indicate larger boards, and the small pieces indicate smaller boards. For instance, if you want to play with 32mm chessmen, you will want to buy a 19-inch board or larger. Generally speaking, most players prefer boards between 18″ and 22″, depending on how large or small their hands are and how much of their visual focus needs to be on the board.
It is also important to think about how many players will be playing the game at once; if anyone is left watching or there are multiple spectators, you may want to choose a larger board. You should also take into account that some people prefer different sized pieces when they play – taller people may like taller pieces while shorter people may like shorter pieces – so it's important to select a board and set that offers customization in size choices.
Finally, when it comes time to actually measure your board keep in mind that all measurements are calculated from center point rather than outer limits. This means that if you have an official sized 18″ board, its fully deployed length is actually 19 inches (7cm per square plus 1 corner). Thus when buying your chess set you need add 1 inch more for safety sake to cover your square size requirement.
Weight
Weight is an important factor when selecting the right chess set. It's recommended that chess sets should weigh from 7 to 11 ounces (200 to 310 g), with the heavier weight being preferable because it will as a result provide extra stability on both sides of the board during play.
The pieces in lighter chess sets can be knocked over easily, especially when playing on an uneven surface. Since people usually love to keep their chess sets for years, even despite changing the game rules along with their preferred decor style, it's best to choose a quality and weighty set you are likely to enjoy for a long time.
Chess pieces these days come in many varieties of materials such as plastic, wood (good option since they offer a balance of lightness and heft), metal (generally brass or stainless steel) and glass. The traditional wooden set is most popular as it has much of what you're looking for: beautiful look, durability and reasonable price. But there are countless other options crafted from varied materials that offer unique looks or textures for those who prefer something different or avoid wood altogether due to allergies or preferences related to sustainability.
When purchasing your own set, you should always consider the weight so that it will not only fit into your household but will remain stable during your games whether this be playing casual with friends or competitively against your opponents!
Quality
Quality is essential when choosing a good chess set, as it will ensure that the pieces are durable and that the pieces themselves are accurate to the game of Chess. High quality sets will give you a good overview of how to move the pieces and how each piece interacts with the other.
Typically, wooden or plastic chess sets can be found at stores, from online retailers, or from specialty Chess retailers – depending on your needs. Plastic sets are usually cheaper, whereas wooden sets tend to be more expensive due to their material costs. Both plastic and wood sets should clearly display each piece's respective designations in order to allow players to easily identify them, such as labels that note which type of piece each one is (pawns, rooks, bishops, knights