BraRoe Chess Blog

Once chess pieces have been created and all of the details that need to be worked in to the material have been completed, the final step is adding material to the base of the pieces. The added padding provides 2 functions. 

The first is to protect the pieces and chess board from each other when playing. Some times all of the moving of the chess pieces across the board will strip finished away or lead to chips in the chess set. It should be noted that this is not a defect in the quality of the chess set, just part of the natural wear. 

The second reason for the padding is more for the feeling of the game of chess. Having the padded bottoms allows the chess pieces to float across the chess board. When moving the queen from end of the board to the other has that additional sense of gliding along her path. 

There are two different types of padding that are available for chess pieces, leather and felt pads. Leather pads are usually reserved for chess pieces that are on the more expensive side. They add a good and thick cushion on the bottom that is very durable. The other option is green felt that is professional billiard table quality. The green felt provides a good quiet sound when playing, as well as the utmost protection for your fine wood chess board. 

Tags: Chess Pieces, Chess Boards by BraRoeChess
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There are more than a hndful of chess players that keep their chess sets on display. Not only do I not blame them, I encourage them! A well selected chess set is a remarkable site, and certainly the talking point to most any room that houses it. The concerns that is brought up most often is whether or not to display a chess set with all the pieces aligned and ready to play, or to leave them in set as if a game where already in progress.

Proponents of the first choice like the clean look of the chess set. Ready to go, with endless possiblities just waiting, the game beckons to be played. Seeing the chess set gives that sense of hope when looking a board ready to go.

The other option is too set the board up as if there were a match already in progress. Showing off the battle of wits that has been engaging two players. When one walks by such a chess set on display, the natural inclination is to stop and look at the game.

Either way, it really doesn’t matter. Both ways show off a chess set, and gives people a good idea of a hobby or interest of yours.

Tags: Chess Sets, Chess Pieces, Chess Boards by BraRoeChess
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We see several different mark that make any chess set unique. The materials, color matching, and details of the pieces are just a few of the area. While each piece has its own unique touches to it, the one piece that can have the largest amount of detail put into it is the Knight.

With that in mind, the logical debate that erupts is how to align you knight when playing chess? It is something that we debate every once in a while – do you line your knights up facing each other or facing the opposition.

Proponents of the former, my self included, choose to face their knight toward each other. That is too show-off the knight. With all the detail and hard work in the pieces, not displaying it would be just a shame. Some try to make the argument that ergonomically, it is also easier to grab the pieces and move them. That argument usually gets debunked.

The other argument is to have the knights facing toward the opponents. The main argument there is psychological, that the knight focused across the chess set in an attack bearing show your opponent why you are there.

Whatever the reason, I am sure that we can all agree that the knight is an impressive piece on the board. We would like to hear from you though, how do you orient your knight?

Tags: Chess Pieces by BraRoeChess
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Matching metal chess pieces to the right board is something often concerns players that are looking to have chess pieces made from metal. There are very few metal chess boards and sometimes, a board made from metal is not what is being sought. Luckily, there are three options that are available.

The first is of course a metal chess board.  Metal chess boards are boards that are made from wood and are covered, like a veneer, with metal. Usually the board is made of Brass. The white squares are made retain the brass’s natural color, while the black pieces will have brass that is tinted another color, such as blue, red, or a darker brass. Brass boards will match with any metal chess pieces.

The next option is leather chess boards. Leather chess boards are made with a wood base and then have a leather cover over them for the playing surface. Boards can come in black and gold, black and brown, or burgundy and gold for the colors of the squares.  There are several options of leather chess boards that come as chess chests, with storage for the pieces beneath the board.

The third option is a carefully selected wood chess board. Most chess boards that are glossy in finish will be excellent options for chess board, especially non-traditional colors such as grey or Blue. Light colored woods such as Hazelwood and Bubinga are options that will match well with metal chess pieces. Rosewood and Black, matte finished boards usually do not mesh will with the metal chess pieces.

So, it is easy enough to be able to find a chess board that matches your style with your metal chess pieces if you can keep these three rules in mind. As usual, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at Bradford @braroechess.com anytime.

Tags: Chess Pieces, Chess Boards by BraRoeChess
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One of the defining traits of a chess set is the knight. While each of the other pieces can bring their own flair to a chess set, especially the crown of the King or the coronet of the Queen. But with the Staunton chess set, the knight is the one piece that offers the greatest opportunity to find a chess set with exceptional detail.

While there are several different styles of knights, and many areas where a craftsman may showcase his work, there are generally three different types of knights: German, French, and Russian Style.

German Style
German Style chess pieces are where the nose of the knight is cut so that it is at a 45 degree angle. There is nothing overly significant about the angle, it just a way to have the knight stick out.

French Style
The French style is when the nose is straight across. More often than not, designers are going to create chess sets where the knight is fashioned at this level. Again, there is nothing special about the angle, but it does allow the knight to have a more prominent display of a mane.

Russian Style
The final style is the Russian Style. Here, the knight is the most head strong, with the nose pointing straight up and down. Symbolic of the history that the Russians have brought to the game and history of chess, the knight stands proud amongst the rest of the chess pieces.

No knight is right or wrong, but now you have an idea of the different designs behind the knight the next time you view a chess set.

Tags: Chess Sets, Chess Pieces by BraRoeChess
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When searching for a material for chess pieces, you would be hard pressed to find a more striking material than ebony. Ebony chess pieces have been the centerpieces of many chess set collections.

Chess pieces by themselves are impressive to look at. Their shapes, curves, and lines intertwine with each other in a lucidity that can rarely be imagined, yet manifests so perfectly in front of our eyes.

By themselves chess pieces are great. When the pieces are in your hands and moving across the board, it feels almost like they are being moved across on air as they dance from one position to the next. What gives the pieces that extra delight is the additional weighting.