The Five Knights of Lockdown

Out in the wild at a local wine bar with this beauty.👍

A wonderful experience, this weekend. This is my great nephew - he is 9. On the weekend at a family do, he noted that I had a few sets on display and asked - very politely - if we could play. His parents do not play and they were surprised … it seems this young man, taught himself the game online after seeing a board at school. He was more than able… he knew the rules - he analysed the moves … this uncle made a few mistakes and coached a few moves - allowing numerous take backs … he was delighted to check mate me! Just wonderful … he may be hooked. Especially so when a gifted chess set comes his way too. 👍

It's great to put a smile on a youngsters' face!

I am currently attending two chess clubs in my area, and I must say that teaching the young kids I one of the greatest pleasures I have ever had in chess. It must be even more special for you @Powderdigit with the young man being family. I have some very young great nephews and if I am lucky enough to still be around, and they show an interest in chess, it would be a great pleasure to teach them.

While I played chess at school and knew the rules of the game throughout my adult life - I only really started playing in my adult life, during the pandemic.
At about the same time, I became interested in chess pieces …. And here I am, a few years later, a rubbish player and collecting as a hobby.
One of the tenants of this hobby - for me - is to learn from and respect the past… to learn a little through reading and participating in this forum. With such a rich history, there is much to learn. 
This is why I am so chuffed to have picked up these bone pieces recently. While I have no provenance and I cannot prove it - a trusted friend and collector believes these pieces are very likely English made and circa mid-late 1800’s. To which I have matched them to a chess table of similar vintage… of course, these rather delicate pieces are not for blitz and may indeed even seem ugly and unplayable in the context of beautiful and functional classic woodenStaunton sets …

… but here they are … a homage to time’s past and if nothing else, it has me thinking of chess and how it was played long ago… and I’m fortunate to be able to collect a few sets to allow my mind to wander back in time. Cheers, Mark

@Powderdigit Nice match with the table! A British playing set in very nice condition. Congrats! I find these very charming.

You'll find more examples of such sets here and here.

Poetry in still life... thank you for posting today my friend. I appreciate your thoughts along with the set.

great blog here love the whole concept

Yet another beautiful set @Powderdigit. You know I love sets with history, and I have always had a fondness for pre-Staunton sets. I know some owners feel that they really can't play with such sets, as your opponents may not be so familiar with which piece is which. I do not count myself among them. Ever since I got my Simpsons-in-the-Strand set, when I have it out during my usual set rotation, I use it to play through games, studying positions, etc. Within a short time, I became quite familiar with the pieces and can work through my study games easily. Still, I have not taken them to my club to play with any of my friends there, as I feel it might afford me a slight advantage in competitive play.

Your set is a bit different, being made of bone, which is much more fragile than wood. Also, yours is not a modern reproduction, and therefore more precious as a historical artifact. Still, in the safety of your own home, if you should open a book of early chess games and use your set to play through them, I can certainly understand it. Even antique sets were made to be played with, and it would be a shame to simply set up the pieces and not use them. I am sure you would feel much like myself, using your set while studying the games of players from the pre-Staunton era. It was a different style of chess back then, and your pieces will add to the flavor of your study. At least, that is how it is for me.

And a final set of photos for this update. In natural light - warts and all. 😊

I'm glad that set found it's way into such a worthy home. I was watching it, and decided to resist , since I'd found a similar set on marketplace Brissie a couple of months ago. One of the photos also looked like the red Queen had some bad rot at the back of her head, which I now assume was just shadows. I'd never really looked too hard at the English bone sets before. Mine was offered up as an 'incomplete set $15 - good for craft', and 5 mins away from the school sport venue that weekend. So I had to save it, especially as I could see it was complete. It's got a bit of damage, and definitely on the budget end of the bone sets, but you can't really appreciate the workmanship till you handle one.
You really do take great photos and looks awesome on that beautiful board of yours. Makes me think I should have looked a bit harder when it listed. Enjoy, and keep up the great posts. I do have a look in this forum occasionally. It's a really nice community. I do my best to keep away from all you bad influences though. Regards Mark 

@Kram4306 - cheers for the feedback. That’s a wonderful set you have and for $15 - phenomenal. I note too that your knight appears more refined than mine. My queen does indeed have some discolouration - it’s like a small dirty scratch? 
I purchase sets like this for a learning exercise - as much as anything else - I’m interested in how they are made and the look and feel of something from that time. I agree with you that the craftsmanship - on these small bone pieces - is a delight to see. 
Sometimes I then just move sets on but this is a keeper and even better that sits well on two old boards that I have. Have a great day.👍

A wonderful few hrs at the pub tonight - closing out the working week - playing with a set that arrived today. I believe these pieces are being reclassified by some collectors as Danish Union pieces (from Knubbel) - based on the research of Langer/Seiersen and others. Whatever they are called - I love this set and it was so much fun to use at the pub.

Grandious, just grandious! And I mean the idea to use beer instead of clocks Your board looks gorgeous under the Danish Union! And for once filigree necks on knubbel knights. Somewhat elongated set, also kings and bishops. A bit of 'knubbel unknubbeled'.

I really like this old inlaid board and old slim stem dogface pieces. It’s a tight fit but they seem to suit each other well.

Very nice combo!

Happy new year everyone. It’s been a while since I’ve updated this thread and much has happened. With so much turmoil in the world - I feel fortunate to be able to distract my mind with chess and collecting. Much like last Christmas - this year I have shouted myself some pieces and a chess table. The pieces will be the subject of another thread… as they are emanating from Europe via a friend and still a while away. 
This table/board however was an unplanned local buy and in truth, I am not sure what I have! It was 10 minutes away by car and it is beautiful- in my eyes. It was sold by an ageing gent who said he purchased it at an antique store in the ‘70’s. The burr walnut and mahogany is lovely as is the pedestal stand and legs with their simple yet elegant detail. The inlaid wood board has 4cm squares and are a functional size. I am not an antiques expert - so it is either a good copy of a 19th century table or it is an original in ridiculously good condition. My wife loves this table - so it is not going anywhere; if real wonderful! If not, still wonderful … it was not priced as a valuable item.

l will play chess on it whether valuable or not. So…. here is a lovely little table and I’d appreciate any information anyone may be able to proffer. Cheers, Mark

Simply gorgeous!!