Merry Christmas

Chess Boxing

Chess-Boxing? Here is the link ... for more about chess-boxing. They say they are looking for more participants worldwide in all skill levels and are offering to pay expenses.

The Holidays are coming ...

We are told that the holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve - are the most festive time of the year. I certainly love the strings of colored lights that push the advancing darkness back, at least a little. But some of the not-so-delightful rituals of the season are the family gatherings. Maybe your family is the perfect picture of warmth and congeniality that would make Norman Rockwell smile. If so, good for you. For the rest of us, take heart. Here are some tips for surviving these get-togethers.

Psychologists say that it is important to learn to listen to each other. (I’m not sure how this bit of advice and guidance is supposed to help, since listening is the fastest way to rediscover how wrong they really are!) We are instructed to find ways to communicate respectfully and build connections. One important step that is supposed to reduce the confrontational quality of our family holiday gatherings is to surrender our personal desire to be right. Psychologists won’t say this, but I can tell you that the only good way to win a family argument is to outlive your antagonists.

I would like to add a thought to this list of suggestions - Bring out a chess set! Chess is really a fabulous game to introduce into your holiday festivities. Lousy weather is not a factor. Chess is exceptional in its capacity to span the generations (Junior can challenge Grandpa), to cut across many ages (from elementary school children to adult), and to allow the girls to compete with the boys. Chess can channel the competitiveness and maintain a certain level of sportsmanship. It’s got lots of possibilities - and with luck you can whomp your arrogant brother-in-law at last.

So stop by Chess Right Chess Shop (at http://www.ChessRight.com) before you head out to your family get-together and find a chess set just right for your game. Drop us a note with your purchase and we can send your selection via expedited shipping (for an upgraded fee).

We are pulling for you.

FEATURED PRODUCT:

The Einstein Touch Chess Computer is priced right for the holidays at just $34.00 plus shipping. Check it out at http://chessright.com/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=381 today.

We have many new products arriving so please check back with ChessRight.com often.

Looking for something in particular? Need replacement pieces? Let us know and we can help you search.

Keep playing chess!

What's New in October?

Several fun calendar dates arrive(d) in October 2010. "Binary" day was October 10th (10.10.10) and "Palindrome" day is coming up on October 20th (10-20-2010). While these are fun moments to observe on the calendar, did you remember to observe National Chess Day on October 9th?

Also in current events in chess ....

- The International Chess Federation (FIDE) re-elected Kirsan Ilyumzhinov for another term as their president.

- The Ukraine chess team was undefeated in the 2010 Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, while the Russians swept the Women's Division.

There are plenty of other chess competitions and tournaments coming up. Check the listings at our Playing Chess page for an event near you (current standing as grandmaster not required).

What's New at ChessRight.com?

- Check out our newest book, "Paul Morphy Confederate Spy," by Stan Vaughan. Contains historical fiction, political intrigue and some fully annotated chess games. Publisher's suggested price: $18.95 but currently discounted to $17.50 at ChessRight Chess Shop.

- We have added a NEW Alice in Wonderland chess set . These brightly colored chess pieces are based on the beloved characters from Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic. This has been a popular theme for chess pieces for many years. This new set offers an economical alternative to the Studio Anne Carlton's Alice In Wonderland chess Set.

Please visit ChessRight to find the chess set just right for your game!

New Distributor for Lord of the Rings Handpainted Chess Set

LORD OF THE RINGS CHESS PIECES

Recent changes here at the Chess Right Chess Shop include a new distributor for Studio Anne Carlton's handpainted Lord of the Rings chess pieces. This set is offered on the House of Staunton website for $299.00 (plus $8 handling charges, plus shipping costs). Through this exciting new arrangement, we can offer this same set of Tolkien's beloved characters for half the price ... for a limited time! See our special offer now.

But WAIT! (as the TV pitchmen would say) We aren't finished yet!
Enter the coupon code "Blog" at checkout to receive an additional 10% off your purchase.

Not interested in that set? That's OK - this coupon has been coded to take 10% off ANY purchase of ANY item(s) totalling $150.00 or more. This coupon code is offered on this blog only and will expire at the end of October 2010. So visit Chess Right Chess Shop today to take advantage of this special 0ffer -- for yourself or to get an early start on your Christmas shopping for that special someone.

We are celebrating this exceptional special and we want you to join in the savings - please visit Chess Right Chess Shop today. (Remember: enter the coupon code "Blog" at checkout to get 10% off any purchase of $150.00 or more while this offer lasts).

Chess and Tennis?

Chess and Tennis may sound like an unlikely combination, but that’s just what the Chess Club of St. Louis has done!
The news story suggests that the Chess Club wanted to celebrate their second year in their new facility, so they have constructed a giant chess board the size of a tennis court. Last month (July 2010), tennis star Lindsay Davenport played some exhibition tennis on this oversized chess board as part of the Chess Club’s grand celebration.
However, it’s more than just a two-year anniversary in their facility. The St. Louis Chess Club proudly hosted the US Chess Championship in May 2010. Read more about it: (http://saintlouischessclub.org/content/2010-us-championship)
More current chess tournaments have been added to our "Playing Chess" page to find a competition near you. While you are there, you can go a few rounds against the chess computer, watch some chess videos, or visit some of our links to other chess sites.

Take this opportunity to rethink your chess board. We have many beautiful chess boards which your favorite chess pieces will appreciate and enjoy. For guidelines on what size your chess board should be, please check out these tips:
http://chessright.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html
It may not be enough to play tennis on, but you can get a lightweight, weather-proof chess board with six-inch squares. Our Nylon Chessboard is suitable for use indoors or outdoors.

Please stop by Chess Right Chess Shop to see all the beautiful chess boards.

Patriotism and American History

July is the month we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, considered to be the birth of the U.S. The founding fathers expected the observance would be July 3rd, when they voted to accept the resolution, not July 4th when they formally signed the document, which they considered a mere formality.

The Battle of Gettysburg also happened in July, another historic moment in the development of our country. This month’s featured product is our Deluxe Civil War chess set which will be “on special” all this month for the reduced rate of $114.00 - that’s 20% off our everyday low price of $142.50 and still includes shipping and the free book. This is a beautiful decorative chess set with an etched glass board that sits raised off the tabletop on four horse head columns. Very eye-catching! Check it out.

There were some difficulties here with our Fourth of July celebrations, and we never did get the directions to the local fireworks right. But we did grill burgers and dogs in the back yard.

We here at Chess Right know a little something about what it is like to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Less than 1% of the American population is currently serving in the military, and even fewer have been deployed to the war. So perhaps you are one of many Americans who may be looking for ways to support our troops but don’t know anyone serving at the war? We support the Megachess Signature Chess Program! If you are interested in organizing an event, or just looking for an event near you, please contact us for more information. Or, as an alternative, your local veterans’ hospital would be grateful to accept your donation of a gently used chess set (just mark your donation “Sets for Vets”). To learn more about “Sets for Vets,” visit: http://www.uschesstrust.com/programs-and-resources/sets-for-vets-program/
July is a great month for family vacations and pool parties. As always, we hope you have fun and stay safe, and of course, keep playing chess! Be sure to visit Chess Right Chess Shop for the chess set just right for your game.

Chess Variants

The game of chess is centuries old and still played all over the world. I suspect if an inventor were to pitch chess in its modern form to Milton-Bradley, or Parker Brothers, or any other major distributor of toys and games, it would probably be turned down as “too complicated.” Luckily, we will never need to test my theory as the game is already well established.
Chess is so well received world-wide that many variants have also been introduced over the years. As summertime comes and schools let out, this is a season for having some extra fun. So perhaps this is a good time to try your hand at one or more of these great chess variants - just for the fun of it.
One of the popular chess variants is called Bughouse, or Tandem Chess. In this game, two teams of two players each face off over two chess boards. As chess pieces are captured and removed from one chess board, the player passes the captured piece to his partner who has the option to place the piece anywhere on his playing board.
Andernach Chess calls for the piece making a capture to change color. For example, if your bishop captures my rook, I lose my rook but I gain a bishop on that square. In Suicide Chess, the object of the game is to lose all one’s chess pieces. Capturing moves are mandatory. There is no check - the king is captured like any other piece. Kung-fu Chess is a variant without turns. Either player can move any piece at any time without waiting for his opponent to move.
When non-traditional pieces are added, these are referred to as “fairy chess pieces” whether they are shaped like fairies or not. For an example of “fairy chess pieces,” check out our Seirawan chess pieces. This chess variant adds four new pieces, two to each team, the elephant and the hawk, but is played on a traditional (8 by 8) chess board. Instructions for playing this chess variant will be posted at ChessRight soon.
Other chess variants use different boards, such as a hexagonal board that was very popular in the 1930s. I’m curious about the three bishops in the diagram since none of the chess sets I own would support this configuration. Other variant shaped boards include boards shaped like the infinity sign, cylinders and, of course, our favorite 3-D Chess (reminiscent of the multilevel board from Star Trek but much more familiar and playable). Our 3-D Chess set is one of our best selling products and lots of fun and has recently restocked so we have sets ready to ship.

Some chess variants use both new pieces and unique playing boards. We recently got some more Dragon Chess boxes back in stock. In this variant, there are four new pieces, two dragons added to each team, with a board consisting of the 124 playing squares. Instructions for playing Dragon Chess are included in each box, or you can use the central 64 squares on the playing board for a traditional chess game.
If you are looking to add a little fun to your chess game this summer, try one of these games. Or send us your favorite variant for us to try and to share. By changing the rules to the chess games, even if only for a little while, the beginners can challenge the more experienced players for a chance to upset the natural order of things. Summer chess can be fun again.
Visit Chess Right Chess Shop for all your chess needs.

COLLECTING

From Grandma collecting pictures for her scrapbook in an old shoe box to the fellow that collects antique cars in his garage, and back yard, and front yard, people love to collect things that have meaning for them.

SOMETIMES CHESS SETS ARE PART OF A COLLECTION.

The new arrival of the Santa Fe train chess set with diesel vs steam is just such a collectible. The train enthusiast that goes loco for all things locomotive will be thrilled to add this chess set to his train collection. Here he can show off his affection for trains while keeping his strategy skills sharp with friends, neighbors and family.

The boy who always wanted to grow up to be a fireman, especially if he did, will appreciate the Red Hats of Courage chess set or the Policemen vs Firemen chess set to add to the memorabilia he is already accumulating.

The World War Two veteran (or the history buff that loves collecting relics from that historic conflict with the Nazis) would delight in adding our World War II chess set to his archives.


SOMETIMES CHESS SETS ARE THE COLLECTION.
With so many attractive chess sets, the hardest part is picking just one. If you are not already collecting keepsakes and memorabilia with a theme, and if you love playing chess, it’s likely that you are a candidate for amassing a marvelous chess set collection. It starts off modest enough - perhaps you got a plastic chess set when you were young. Then you saved up and bought the main wooden chess set that you prefer to play, usually a traditional Staunton style. Then you added a small travel chess set to go with you on vacation. Soon, it just builds. Perhaps you like the look and feel of a stone or glass chess set so you buy one. Perhaps you find a decorative set that amuses and delights you, like a golf- or other sports-themed set or a set depicting a favorite period in history, and you buy one of those, too. Then, of course, you will need another chess board - or maybe even a chess table - to display your new decorative set. Then another chess set catches your eye at a flea market or yard sale, at such a bargain price that you just can’t pass it up. That set will need a new chess board, too. Perhaps one of your friends or relatives passes a chess set along to you when they are cleaning out the attic. And so it grows and grows.

We here at Chess Right Chess Shop encourage this sort of hoarding behavior. Chess sets can be so beautiful, and many folks think you are so smart just to have a chess set on display. (Sure, we all know a few chess players that are as dumb as a box of rocks, but that’s not the impression that most folks have. And there’s no reason to make any changes in that public image, thanks anyway.)

Chess is a classic game of strategy, little wonder it’s called the “Game of Kings.” Chess sets come in a variety of styles and material, from intricately carved wooden Staunton-style pieces to cast metal or hand-painted stone figures. It's highly unlikely that the game will be going out of style any time soon. So we say, “Collect away!” and let the admiring compliments roll in.

Please visit Chess Right Chess Shop to purchase a beautiful chess set just right for your collection

Chess Pieces from Film Canisters

Very creative ... take a look: http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/chess.htm

Alice in Wonderland

The recent release of Tim Burton’s movie of “Alice in Wonderland” has brought a renewed interest in the 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll. This new movie tells a tale of Alice’s return to Wonderland several years after her initial visit. Critics have been divided in their opinions about this new movie, but the original tale remains a classic part of our culture.
Studio Anne Carlton has updated and re-released their popular Alice in Wonderland hand-painted chess set. Please visit our website to see this new set and read one recent review of this new set. Add this delightful chess set to your home decor and get some conversations started.
Visit Chess Right Chess Shop to see all our beautiful chess sets and find the set just right for your home.

THE IDES OF MARCH

THE IDES OF MARCH
Calling all Classicists! “The Ides of March” refers to the middle of the month, the 15th of March, a day that was once celebrated with a parade in honor of Ares, the God of War. History holds that on the 15th of March in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar, Roman dictator for life, was assassinated in the capital city of Rome. A seeress had warned Caesar of this event, in the phrase later coined by Shakespeare, “Beware of the Ides of March!”
So it is fitting for the month of March that we here at Chess Right should welcome TWO new decorative chess sets with Roman themes. From the Studio of Anne Carlton, the Roman Chess Men are made of durable polyresin and ground stone. Our introductory price: $104.00 includes shipping anywhere in the U.S. and comes with a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. From the Studios of Ital Fama, the Roman Bust Chessmen are cast in metal by Italian artisans. Our introductory price: $426.00 includes shipping anywhere in the U.S. and comes with several options and premiums (please see our store for details).
Choose either one of these sets to add a bit of classic history to your home and your chess game. Now you can help Caesar renew his quest for world domination.
To add a quick note of perspective to our current national situation, Cicero was a Roman orator of the same approximate historical time period as Julius Caesar. Cicero had warned of the dangers to the Roman Republic when the citizens learned they could “vote open the doors of the Treasury.” One quote attributed to Cicero urges that “The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced … the mobs should be forced to work and not depend on government for subsistence.” Sounds like something that could just as well have been said in our own era, doesn’t it?

TIME CHANGE
A new video about Speed Chess has been added to the page called “Playing Chess” (as have some more announcements regarding upcoming tournaments around the U.S.). If Speed Chess looks like something you could enjoy, please be sure to check out our assortment of chess clocks for the one that fits your style and budget.

Visit ChessRight.com today for these and many more chess products!

Impossible Chess Set

What's New for February?

These tough economic times have taken a toll on us again here at Chess Right. For the fourth time in the last six months, we have lost a supplier. We still have more than 200 items for sale on our site, and if you don't see what you are looking for online, ask us. We actually have many more items that are not posted online. But if you have had your eye on one of our many beautiful chess sets and don't see it on our site anymore, you will know what happened -- that item is no longer available. In some cases, there are still a few inventory items remaining before we discontinue so you may need to act quickly.

What's that? Did I hear you say that you'd love to "act quickly" for one of our chess sets but you're short of money? Consider a visit to our newest partner, America One. They are still making personal loans, even if your banker isn't. While we hope you will use your new-found funds to purchase one of our chess sets, that's really not required. These loans can be for any reason. See our website for links to all the details.

TOURNAMENTS: We have begun adding upcoming tournaments to our new "Playing Chess" page, along with links, videos and resources on how to play chess and how to play better chess. Please check back often to see upcoming chess tournaments. Maybe you can compete for some of the prize money, or perhaps you will enter one of these tournaments just to have fun meeting other chess players.

FEBRUARY'S FEATURED PRODUCT: In February, we commemorate Presidents' Day -- observed this year on Monday, February 15th, 2010. Our featured product is the American Revolutionary War Chess Set from the Studios of Anne Carlton.
This product is sold elsewhere for $199.00 plus shipping and handling. Our excellent price is $169.00 plus $15.00 for shipping anywhere in the U.S. Total cost delivered to you is $184.00 with all the Studio Anne Carlton quality and satisfaction guarantees. And who knows? Maybe you can rewrite history ...

Claymation

For traditional and unusual chess sets, visit www.ChessRight.com today!

(Sorry, none of our sets can do the fun animations seen in this video. At least, not in this universe, possibly in some parallel universe ...

Questions and Answers about Playing Chess

Q: Where can I learn to play chess? I want to know the rules of the game and how the pieces move.

A: You can learn about the basic moves on a website called “Chess is Fun” (http://www.princeton.edu/~jedwards/cif/intro.html) which will show you how to set up the chess board, how each piece moves and will give you the basic rules of chess. It will even help you learn some strategies.
You may also want to view the video tutorial on our new “Playing Chess” page (http://chessright.com/playingchess.htm) called “How to Play Chess: The Pieces” for instruction on the fundamentals.

Q: I want to learn to play better chess. Where can I go to get better at chess?

A: Children as young as five years old can learn to play chess, but folks will spend a lifetime trying to learn to master the game. That is the beauty of the “Game of Kings” -- that it will always be challenging and there is always another level to achieve. The best way to get better at playing chess is to play regularly, play as often as time allows, and play against people who are better than you are.
Personally, I have a very competitive nature. Sometimes I think I’m a little too competitive, and it’s important to know that about myself. For me, I find it practical to practice by playing chess against the computer. If you think you would benefit from playing against the computer also, I have put a computer game on our “Playing Chess” page (http://chessright.com/playingchess.htm) which is free and limitless, no strings attached. Please come over and help yourself any time, day or night.
Also, from time to time, I will be posting links and resources on chess strategies on the “Playing Chess” page to help improve your skills in chess. Right now, there is a video on the page about Knights Openings that may be of interest. English is apparently a second language for the makers of this video, so all GrammarNazis are warned to stay away. But the strategies discussed in the video are understandable and may even prove to be helpful.
Check back to our new “Playing Chess” page often as these resources are subject to change.

Keep playing chess!
Visit Chess Right Chess Shop today