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How green can a chess set actually get?

Over the last few years the developed world has become obsessed with environmental issues. Not a day passes without something coming on the TV or radio about global warming and the effects it is having. The whole carbon output debate rages on but while the scientists search for definitive answers the rest of us seem to be keen to ‘do our bit’ to help our planet.

Why are we even talking about this on a bog about chess sets? That’s a good question, slide back in time a decade and the two subjects would have seemed totally irrelevant. But the world is changing, while large supermarket chains spend millions telling us how much carbon has been produced in exchange for our loaf of bread the consumer is aiming their dollar at the most environmentally friendly outlet.

Like it or lump it, the business world has to accept that in the near future it’s green credentials are going to affect it’s profit in a more direct and obvious way. With an increasing number of products containing a ‘carbon label’ how long will it be before chess set buyers are asking questions like ‘was this product flown in or sent sea freight?’

Indeed how can one begin to assess the environmental affects of a chess set? What wood is it made from? how many miles has it traveled to get into my hands? The issue of the wood used is one point in case. Ebony chess pieces for example, are these really going to have much of an environmental impact? Greenpeace have a website dedicated to endangered woods that lists the types of wood used a lot in the production of musical instruments, in particular stringed instruments like guitars. They list ebony and rosewood as two of their endangered woods. They even point out that india, where many of the worlds best chess sets come from, has having seriously depleted it’s stocks of ebony.

Lets be reasonable though, one has to bear in mind that many fine chess pieces are hand carved over a period of hours and days. The price indeed reflects this. By it’s very nature chess piece and board making does not lend itself well to huge scale mass production. While most of the chess products continue to be hand made the constraints on output will remain.

Already the guitar collecting fraternity have started to pin high price tags on certain models that were made in times before certain woods became endangered and prohibition was put on it’s harvest. One notable case being the use of Brazilian rosewood on the fingerboards of guitars, great for tone, not for the planet according to some. Lets hope none of the guitars at the live earth concert had ebony or rosewood fingerboards, can’t teach the world to sing on a guitar made from endangered wood now can we?

We also have the issue of transportation to think about. Most of the best chess sets come from India, with such a vast array of importers and retailers and indeed some chess retailers importing their own stock many of the imports are flown in as opposed to sea freighted. The retail prices of the chess sets in developed western countries more than covers the air fair. How much of the price you pay is in fact it’s air ticket?

So what will the future hold for chess set production and the kinds of woods we can expect to see our pieces made from? Will the day come when the value of ebony chess pieces follows the plight of the vintage guitars? Will we see a carbon sticker on the packaging of imported chess sets? Only time will tell.

A Genuine Staunton chess set please?

There is a common misconception among many people that you can buy a genuine Staunton chess set. Indeed it’s not uncommon for people to think that there is a chess manufacturer called Staunton who make and sell chess sets. The reality is quite different. Back in the 1800s there was a problem emerging among chess players. The problem was caused by a huge variety in the styles of chess pieces. It meant that a Russian player facing an English opponent might become confused if he cant tell the difference between the pieces. Indeed it was becoming such a problem that the style of set used could affect the outcome of the game.

There was one man, Howard Staunton, who decided enough was enough and that a standardization of chess pieces was needed if the world was going to compete at chess. Staunton was an amazing chess player of his time, indeed between 1843 and 1851 he was considered he finest chess player in the world. Many people believe that Howard Staunton designed the set himself, in fact he must have spent his time improving his chess moves instead.

He did favor one particular set however, which had been designed by Nathaniel Cook, the brother in law of the owner of Jacques of London, a prominent chess manufacturer of the time. Jacques produced the set that Cook designed and it was this set that Staunton so loved. He endorsed this style of set as the standard by which all chess sets should be made in the future. The familiar pieces that we now take for granted as the typical chess set was now set in stone it seemed.

There are still chess sets being made in other ornate styles that bear no resemblance to Cooks design, indeed when one looks at them it easy to get confused about which pieces are which. No such confusion exists when one sees a Staunton chess set. Even a non chess player instantly knows which piece is which.

Jacques of london still make chess sets today, so one could argue that if there is a Staunton company then they are the closest thing to it. Since then many other companies have created amazing versions of Staunton chess pieces. In some cases costing thousands of dollars a set.

There is no doubt that Howard Staunton would be delighted to see what his endorsement has brought about. It seems to be the case that forever more this classic design will remain the standard which we all associate with a proper chess set.

Hip-Hop & Chess, an unlikely partnership in the fight on crime

A new movement is taking the chess world by storm in the USA. The Hip Hop Chess Federation is using chess to promote unity, strategy and non violence among young people in America. The Federation combines chess with music and martial arts to encourage young people to develop skills and attributes that will help them to avoid crime.

The process of playing chess develops peoples sense of strategy, decision making and realizing the consequences of their actions. It develops patience and skill and is a universal game that can be played accross cultures, language barriers and different social groups. Irrespective of ones race, gender or background, playing chess can unite people and develop an understanding of other peoples needs.

The Hip Hop Chess Federation was Founded by award wining lecturer and author Adisa Banjoko and Leo “Blast” Libiran.

“Despite the school system’s best efforts and intentions, and the efforts of overworked parents, the past generations have suffered from lack of suitable education and essential resources required for a successful life,” states co-founder Adisa Banjoko

It is hoped that the young people of America will benefit socially from the good work done by the federation. By creating a culture where a chess set takes the place of drugs or weapons on the streets of America a more prosperous future will lie ahead. The federation has received huge support from various well known artists. By aligning itself with iconic institutions of youth culture it makes itself accessible to young people who may have previously associated chess with the privileged & wealthy.

Chess set blog launched

Today is the birthday of the chess set blog. Created using wordpress and a modified template. Now that the bare bones and structure of the blog are complete the team will ensure that some interesting, suitable articles are written and published on the subject of chess sets. Watch this space!