My grandad taught me to play chess many years ago. About 20 years later, during the Covid lockdown in 2021/2022, my passion for the "game of kings" was rekindled. At the time, I was attending the Academy of Art and Design in Munich. For my final project in becoming a "Designer in the skilled crafts", I worked on a design for chess pieces. I was looking for a contemporary style and minimalist design combined with the main characteristic features of the six different pieces. I chose the Staunton design as my guideline, as it has been established as the norm in international tournament chess for over a century. The design process and its realisation ended up taking over two years. The most significant characteristic of these pieces is that they match the standard recommendations of international chess associations (FIDE, USCF) in size and proportions. Contemporary art meets maximum functionality.
Paul Joshua Chess
exclusive chess sets contemporary design meets traditional craftsmanship
All measurements of the design correspond to the FIDE standards for tournament chess sets. The king has a height of 95mm (3.75 inches). The squares on the board are each 55mm (2.16 inches) big. All pieces are weighted using an inlay made of stainless steel. This makes the pieces stand firmly on the board and less likely to tip over. These sets are in part produced by two partnering manufacturers. The pieces and the boards are both made in Germany by skilled craftsmen, who produce the sets according to my designs and ideas. One manufacturer specialises in turned wooden pieces, the other in boards for board games. However, completing the chess sets requires multiple steps that can only be done by hand. The fine details of each piece, the carving of the knight's head, the insertion of the weights, the finishing touches and the surface treatment are done by myself. These chess sets combine state-of-the-art technology and pure craftsmanship. Their shapes, precision and surface finish are second to none and meet the highest quality standards. The pieces and boards are placed in high-quality custom-fitted boxes.
product overview
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The chess pieces are made from 3 different types of wood. I use maple for the white pieces. For the black pieces, you can choose between American walnut or black-stained ash. The pieces are treated with a high-quality hard wax oil. The color of the felt bottoms matches the color of the wood.
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95 mm King (3.75“)
single weighted pieces
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chessboard 440x440 mm, squaresize 55x55 mm
A custom-made chessboard design matching the pieces. The frameless chessboards are made from selected veneers. The solid wood edges are beveled, creating a floating effect and making the board easier to lift. Anthracite colored felt glides protect the underside of the board. You can choose between 2 different chessboards. The classic version is made of maple and American walnut. The white chessboard is made of maple and oak and has a limed surface. The boards are treated with a high-quality hard wax oil.
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The chess sets are available in 3 different variants, which result from the different woods and colors of the pieces and boards.
"Classic": pieces: maple | black ebonized ash; chess board: maple | walnut
"Scandinavian": pieces: maple | black ebonized ash; board: maple | oak
"Natural": maple | walnut; board: maple | walnut
To find out more click on the shop. -
34 chess pieces (including 2 extra queens for pawn promotion)
chessboard
customised storage box
total weight 2.9kg