What good is money

It isn't always about speed and newness. Sometimes its the nostalgia and the feel of the road:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1959_Porsche_356A.JPG

 

that's ugly

 

To get the most beautiful handcrafted chess set, made with real ebony (the cheap stuff is painted black):



http://www.houseofstaunton.com/Stor...t+and+Chess+Board+Combinations&exact_match=on

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/Store/category=Jaques+of+London+Chess+Sets&exact_match=on

 

nitro, do find the very large chess pieces are distracting and degrade your play? i have because the battlefield is partially obscured

 

I agree, but you know, that is a function of the size of the board too.

But generally, a four inch king is about right. You could go a little bigger, but too much bigger and you need a huge board.

 

Maybe you need the chair that is higher?

 

i've been reading lately a bit about Jose Capablanca, do you know of him?

he was World Champion from 1921-1927

 

Capablanca is considered the most natural player in history. It is said that the only book he ever read on chess was a treatise on rook endings. The rest of his play had an inner logic that only God knows where it comes from. At one time he was considered invincible and was given the nickname, The Chess Machine. He is the favorite chess player of many many world champions because of the clarity of his play makes him a great study.

He was also very famous for his charm and dreamy good looks. He had penetrating deep blue eyes. Women that didn't care for chess would come and see him play (mostly in Manhattan) just for the spectacle. He dressed impeccabley and had the manners of a diplomat. He was educated at Columbia University, but dropped it all for chess.

 

YES, that's him! He lost his title to Alexander Alekhine in "27" never to regain it.

From 1916-1924, he lost only 34 serious games including a run of 63 games undefeated, an incredible feat.

 

Capablanca started to believe in his own myth, and was ill prepared for the match. Alekhine avoided him at every turn afterwards that Capablanca seeked a rematch. Soon afterwards, Capablanca started having health issues at a relatively early age, and he was never the same again.