Lord of the Rings Theme Chess Set

Battle for middle board! The Lord of the Rings theme chess set is a very popular chess set, and with good reason, almost everyone is familiar with Lord of the Rings the movie. Lord of the Rings was written by the J.R.R. Tolkien With this Lord of the Rings theme chess set you have the chance to command the dark forces of Mordor to rule the chessboard. And you can play with white, which has the fellowship of the ring characters, by your genius destroy the evil forces of Mordor. I guess I am making it more dramtic than it is. Anyway this theme chess set, like all Studio Anne Carlton chess sets has great detail to it.The characters were also wisely chosen to fulfill their role in this theme chess set, just have a look at the picture!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! And have a happy new year!

DGT chess set update

DTG chess sets have come out with great new board styles/types and pieces designes.

The new DGT boards come in serveral different kinds of wood, including Rosewood DGT boards, and Walnut DGT boards.

The DGT chess pieces also comes in several styles, like the DGT ebonized professional chess pieces, the DGT Timeless chess pieces, And the DGT Classic chess pieces.

And from what I understand a lot of schools are using the new DGT easy + clock for tournament chess now, you might want to check that chess clock out.

DGT Rosewood Chess Board

DGT Ebonized Professional Chess Pieces

DGT Classic chess pieces

DGT Timeless Chess Pieces

Fisherman Theme Chess Set

The fisherman theme chess set, this theme chess set is all about freshwater fisherman VS saltwater fisherman! I know some people have a preferance in fishing, me? I am happy fishing anywhere! Anyway this fisherman chess set is great! the detail of each individual piece shows amazing craftmanship. A largemouth bass is the king of the freshwater fish and a tarpon is the king of the salt water fish. Truly spectacular detailing, wooden chess game box it comes in is very high class as well. All the pieces fit nicely inside the box for protection and storage.

I really like the rooks, the saltwater rook is an ocean liner, cruising up a wave. And the freshwater rook is a lake/river fishing boat, it looks like its jetting full throttle upstream to get to that river bar! For river fishing I like a flat bottom jet sled best, but you see all kinds on the river... One time on a fishing trip to Canada, I saw a sadly underpowered, very old, Lund dinghy, (I couldn't call it anything else) trying to head upstream with 4 guys in it! It had a 12 horse motor with a prop on it, they wanted to go upstream because that was where the good fishing was. I was shaking my head in disbelief as they put-putted out of the backwater, into the current. They got into the middle of the current and gave it all they had! You should have seen the seating arrangement! it was hilarious, three of the four guys were near the back of the boat and the fourth was nearer the front. You can guess what happened... the bow went straight up in the air! Meanwhile they are trying to head upstream, and that 12 horse is working like 20 clydesdales! but that doesn't do the job, they start going down stream slowly. they are still pointed upstream... still... finally the pilot thinks he's going downstream... He turns the boat downstream to a river bar further down. They all land the boat and get into a huddle to consult. Finally after a while they come up with a game plan. 2 of them get in the boat and head up river, they make it to the bar higher up... 3 trips later they are all on the higher river bar fishing together.

Sorry for that little rabit trail... Anyway, this is a theme chess set that looks great in a den or living room. It really brings a sporty flavor to a room.

Don't get me wrong about Lund though. They have some good boats to. Their older models are a bit rickety though. I'm an Alumaweld guy personally though.

Travel Chess Computers

In the last 3 years, travel chess computers have advanced from toys, to powerful gaming and tutor systems. The Processors of the latest travel chess computers are highly developed, to give you the stiffest competition ever seen in travel chess computers. Travel chess computers like the Maestro travel chess computer, made by (Saitek Mephisto) and the Deluxe Talking travel chess computer, (by Excalibur) have not only improved their game of chess, but they also offer more features. These features have made these two computers outshine their competition by a mile! I have operated both chess computers, I like the Maestro travel chess computer the best, but both the Maestro and the Deluxe Talking travel chess computers have undeniable features.
The reason I like the Maestro travel chess computer the best is because it has a great backlit screen, so there is never a problem playing it, ever! I have played many LCD screen chess computers, it is really annoying when you can't quite see the pieces because of bad lighting. The backlight LCD screen really is a great new feature. It sucks more juice out of the batteries of course, but it is an optional feature, so you only use it in poor lighting condition. Read All Maestro Features.
The Deluxe Talking travel chess computer has good features to. The sound element involved in the game, makes you more aware of what is going on in the game. I cranked up this chess computer to the max level and got creamed! I eventually was able to beat the Deluxe Talking travel chess computer after I turned down the level to about 1100. I really like how detailed each individual piece was, each piece looked like a Staunton chess set should. Read All Deluxe Talking travel chess computer features.

Both of these handheld travel chess computers are the top of the line, the very best of their class. They are in fact very similar to each other, they are both about the same strength, in a post in the near future I am going to pit one against the other in a chess game and see which one wins. I will write an article on the results of both travel chess computers.

Chess Helps Prevent Alzheimers!

The top 3 alzheimers preventatives are Chess, Crossword Puzzles, and Disco Dancing! Alzheimers disease is a form of dementia. It is clinicly proven the elderly people that play games like chess, are far less likely to suffer from dementia of any type or form. Chess provides healthy activity for the mind. Even for people that currantly have alzheimers, chess can help slow the disease down, it is also know to slow down MS.
Have I mentioned chess is fun?! Chess is fun!

Hunter Theme Chess Set

"Wow!", that what I thought when I first spotted these American theme chess sets. The entire American theme chess set series are the most detailed, life-like series of theme chess sets I have seen yet! They are simply stunning.

Hunter Theme Chess Set:

The hunter theme chess set is whitetail deer hunters VS elk hunters, the pawns for white, are white tail deer, the white king is dressed in hunter orange with black fading spots on his coat and pants. All the white kings compadre's are dressed in hunter orange with fading spots as well, but each are equipped with their own hunting gear, all are ready for action. The rooks are little log cabins, the log cabins have little chimneys that poke out over the roof, these chimneys are so real looking, I can almost imagine smoke coming out of them. Yeah, you can see individual little bricks in the chimneys, that is how well made this theme chess set is made.

Here is something that really stands out about this theme chess set. Both sides, both black and white, each have different styles to them, the black rooks, pawns, kings, bishops, knights, queens, all look different than the opposing side. No it's not just that they are different colors, they actually have different styles!

The black pawns are all elk, the pawns in this theme chess set are truly amazing. The black king and his cohorts are all dressed in bright hunter orange jackets and hats, with black pants. Each unit carries the essential equipment that every hunter needs, binoculars, backpacks, no doubt loaded with camping supplies, the rooks are little green tents, they look an aweful lot like old army surplus tents.

Getting to the end of the description I just realized what a kick this chess set really is! The white side with the whitetail deer on it, the hunters are actually hunting the elk, and vice versa! And while I was writing that, I realize that they shoot each other to! better not let one of those pawns put your king in check! Thats just not right, deer putting hunters in check!

Anyway, cool chess set.

Chess Clock

The chess clock was designed for competitive chess players that wanted to add more spice to their games by throwing a time factor into the game. Chess clocks worked so good for chess that people started using them for other games like, scrabble, shogi, Go, and a great many more competitive board games. I even have seen Chronos clocks used in courtrooms, I have seen self employed people use chess clocks to track how much time they actually spend working at their jobs, and how much time they spend on their breaks!
But really, chess clocks have a great purpose, there would be no Blitz Chess without a chess clock, and many of the fierce wars waged on the chess board would seem more tame, long, and even boring, especially for onlookers, without the chess clock.
If you enjoy playing chess but don't actually own your own chess clock, you should really consider buying one. Playing chess with a chess clock adds a whole new flavor to the game of chess.

Weighted Chess Set

The Hastings Weighted Chess Set is the best quality plastic chess set on the market. To me it's unquestionable, Hastings weighted chess set is the best weighted chess set I have ever seen. I have had an extensive background when it comes to weighted chess sets, I have seen and used them all! The first time I used a Hastings weighted chess set, I liked it so much I immediately bought it.

The Design:

The design of the Hastings weighted chess set is impeccable, they are put quite simply the most detailed plastic chess pieces, with the most life-like look I have ever seen achieved in any weighted chess set to this date.

The Kings:

Stand a robust 4" tall the king has a wide bottom that gracefully slopes up, the wide bottom is great for playing blitz chess, the king doesn't fall over easily.

The Queens:

The queen has a wide felt covered bottom, she has a great crown design, very sharp and detailed.

The Rooks:

Built quite sturdily, the rooks look like what they are supposed to look like, Strong! the battlements look so real you can almost picture a few archers up there firing down on the enemy!

The Bishops:

Very deadly looking, the bishops look like bishops... How do I describe a bishop?

The Knights:

Very, very aggressive looking, the knights are to most life-like piece of all. They are a classic staunton design. Every aspect of the knight makes him look like he's on the attack, flaring nostrils, open mouth, He looks like he's charging into battle and loving every minute of it! Also the knight in the hasting chess set has a unique mane design that only the Hastings chess set has.

The Pawns:

Look like ladies in waiting, waiting to gain that eighth rank to become the kings new bride. Sure... What they really look like is bald and round headed little pawns, that weigh a lot!

All the pieces in this weighted chess set have wide bottoms. There are two reasons for this design. First of all they wont fall over easily, and secondly they can hold a bigger chunk of lead in the base.

Buy Hastings Weighted Chess Set:
The Hastings Weighted Chess Set is available in two color combinations.

Black & Natural -- Red & Ivory

Chess Boxing (My 100th post!)

Chess Boxing has grown from a small tournament in cologne to gain international recognition. Chess boxing gyms can be found springing up all over the world, for the express purpose of training people in the worlds number one thinking sport, chess, and the worlds number one fighting sport, boxing! The first chessboxing gym opened in the Berlin district of Mitte, soon you may have one in your own district. Chess boxing enthusiasts hope to get enough worldwide recognition to become an olympic sport, and it is very possible that it could become so.

WCBO.com World Chess Boxing Organization now offers a few chess boxing T-shirts for sale.

the world chess boxing organization also has a newsletter you can sign up to, it is free, very interesting, and informative.

Chess Boxers from the USA are in demand right now, right now WCBO is recruiting chess boxers in the US for the express purpose of holding a chess boxing match in Los Angeles, there are very few limitations on this invitation, you have to be under age 35 with an estimated ELO of 1800. Here is an application form to fill out, you could be the next world champion chess boxer. Also if you are interested here is an email address you can use to find out more about chess boxing participation.

contact@wcbo.org

Talking Chess Computers

Talking chess computers can be one of the best chess improvement tools for kids. Most kids don't have a chess battle buddy that they can play chess with anytime they want; a talking chess computer provides them with a chess partner every time they turn it on. And talking chess computers are the best because they provide the audible part of chess that a normal chess buddy would. Talking chess computers generally help young people understand what's going on, talking chess computers were designed with the idea in mind that they would help coach you in chess. And like I said before a talking chess computer makes a good substitute for a human player, at least for a while. Playing chess on a talking chess computer might not seem at first to be as much fun, but with the built in coaching modes talking chess computers feature, you can't help but improve your chess game.

Deluxe Talking Chess Computer:
This talking chess computer is a handheld, LCD touch screen talking chess computer. It's like a little palm pilot. You control this talking chess computer with a stylus, that's like a little pen. This handheld talking chess computer has the best LCD screen available, the pieces are designed so as to give you the best representation of chessmen I have seen yet on an LCD screen. The playing level on the Deluxe talking chess computer can be adjusted to suit you best, playing chess at just your level usually is best for learning and improving your chess game, and it's a good confidence builder if you win at least 50% of the time. Great for traveling, and you can play the deluxe talking chess computer against a human player as well as the computer itself.
Buy Deluxe Talking Chess Computer!

Talking Chess Trainer:
The talking chess trainer is a good starting computer, it's more affordable than the others and it still has great features. It has real chess pieces and a fairly large board. The pieces are plastic and slightly magnetic to the board. the playing strength of the talking chess trainer is not as high as the more expensive chess computers, but you get what you pay for right? It's a good computer to start out with for more reasons than that to, the talking chess trainer, even though it's playing strength is lower has good coaching modes, a hint button, and a take-back-move feature.
Buy Talking Chess Trainer!


Talking Chess Academy:
Made by Saitek Mephisto, the talking chess academy is the mother of all talking chess computers. The talking chess academy has the largest board, the highest playing strength (can be adjusted) and the best coaching methods! This is for serious chess players; the talking chess academy is a highly developed chess computer that can be a powerful analysis tool and a great way to improve your chess game. The academy has the latest state of the art technology, it has an auto sensory chess board, that auto sensory system makes it so the chess computer can recognize each individual chess piece on the board, so when a piece gets moved it finds where it has been moved to and registers the move. With the older chess computers you had to push down on the piece you were going to move, them move it, and push down on the square you moved it to, with an auto sensory chess board all you have to do is move the piece! Just like a normal chess game. One of the analysis features includes a setup mode. The setup mode is a feature that allows you to set up the chess computer in a puzzle position, then when you start playing the puzzle the computer makes the move for your opponent, the take-back-move button comes in really handy for puzzles to.
Comes with a 2 year manufactures warranty and an AC power adapter. The Talking Chess Academy really is the mother of all talking chess computers!
Buy Talking Chess Academy!

Theme Chess Set

"So what is a theme chess set?" an easy question to answer, a Theme Chess Set is a chess set with a theme, no really, Theme chess sets can have anything for a theme, lets say the Civil War. The Civil War theme chess set is the most popular theme chess set in the world. The reasons why are obvious.

For many Americans the Civil War is the main historic event in their lives, that war is still waging in many hearts today, well maybe not that way for most, but most have a feeling about it that can't be easily expressed in an article, at least not by me. I guess it's just something that is part of us. So that is why the Civil War Theme chess set is so popular. There are several different designs of just the Civil War theme chess set, for instance, there are some theme chess sets that have General Lee & General Grant for kings, and others with President Abe Lincoln & President Jefferson Davis (the Confederate President). Playing a game of chess with a Civil War theme chess set for some means more than just a chess game, it's Gettysburg all over again! So whether you are Pro-Union, or Pro-Confederate. You are bound to enjoy a Civil War theme chess set. A Civil War theme chess set makes a great gift to, if you have a history buff family member or friend, this is a great gift choice for him or her!

Buy Civil War Theme Chess Set

Chess Bracelet

The Chess Braclet is a great morale booster for kids in chess! Kids in chess clubs love to show off their love for the game of chess with their flashy balck and white checkered silicone chess bracelets. These chess bracelets are a great, inexpensive way to get kids excited about chess, and the more you buy the cheaper they get! Thanks to the wholesale chess quantity discounts on the silicone chess bracelets, you can buy more bracelets and spend less!

Chess clubs really go in for these chess bracelets, also it really looks spiffy when a scholastic chess team all walks onto the floor with matching chess braclets and cloths, almost professional!

Chess wristbands are also just another way of expressing how much you enjoy the game of chess, These silicone chess wristbands are made super strong, they are able to withstand almost any treatment! The chess wristbands come in two sizes, small (for kids) and large (for adults), and in two styles, one style of wristband says CHECKMATE! on it and the other wristband says PLAY CHESS on it.

Buy Chess Bracelets!

InstantChess.com Online Chess Game

"InstantChess.com is the simple way to play chess online. You can play quality games that challenge your mind like a gym for your brain." - InstantChess.com

Those words are direct quotes from InstantChess.com, Whats great about playing chess online at Instant Chess is that you get to play trial game with people online for free if you want to just check out their gaming features. Of course there aren't nearly as many features on the free online chess game as there are on the member version, but you still get to see what they are all about and check out theit online chess server.

Also they have a great gaming community there, you get to play against all playing strengths, and meet a lot of chess players. Another cool thing is, on the homepage you can bring up a screen that shows games in play, you can actually look in on peoples games and watch wtheir moves. You can become member for 100 games at the cost of $9 with a standard membership, or buy the premium membership for $49. Of course you don't have to be member at all to just putt around on their FREE online chess server but it's up to you, have fun!

Affiliate Sales Representative

Do you perhaps have a website dedicated to chess? Or maybe you would like to create a website with the game of chess involved. Whether you are interested just in making money with your website or you want to make a little extra cash with your personal website like maybe a myspace, either way you have the opertunity to make a steady income with your website.
Affiliate sales is a new easy way to make money online, you need no product, you don't need to ship anything, and its entirely free become involved in. Affiliate sales isn't a get rich quick scheme either, it's more of a steady secondary cash flow, and depending on how well your site is ranked on search engines your site will make more or less.
If your website is chess related in any way, I have the perfect affilite sales program for you! the ChessHouse.com is the worlds leading chess supplier, to schools and to residentials alike, they ship worldwide to all but 2 countrys! They have the best affiliate sales program for chess products available. You could earn up to 12% of each order reffered by your website to ChessHouse.com, and while this may not seem like much, average orders range from $20 to $600 orders! And those are fairly substantial figures. If you don't currantly have a website but yu are interested anyway, I would encouraage you to either use a free website such as Blogger or Myspace. Both of these free servers are super user friendly and nyone can use them.

Become A ChessHouse.com Sales Affiliate!

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is the dominate chess learning book, there is no question about it, more people have used the Bobby Fischer teaches chess book to learn the game of chess than any other book. It seems I always knew how to play chess, I learned to play before I can remember anything, But the first book I read that taught combinational play was Bobby Ficher teaches chess.

The Design Of Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess:

The format it is written in is entirely unique, it's written and printed in a style no other book in the world has been, I say that because half of Bobby Ficher teaches chess is upside down! There is a reason for that, Bobby Fischer teaches chess shows you how to play the game through practice problems, the book makes you learn by doing, and after you think you have the answer to the chess problem, the way Bobby Fischer teaches chess is made, you have to turn the page to see the answer, so there is no involintary cheating. And after you work your way through Bobby Fischer teaches chess right side up, you flip it over and go through it upside down!

The curious design of this chess book really is a great way to work a chess puzzle, you don't have to referance an index to get the answer to the problem, and the answer isn't on the same page as the chess problem so it keeps those people that can read upside down from cheating! And you can still work steadily page by page through Bobby Fischer teaches chess. It is the best design ever. Bobby Fischer teaches chess was published by Random House

The Content Of Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess:

First of all, Bobby Fischer doesn't take for granted you even know how to move a king! He starts you out in the beginning with the moves of each piece. After you learn the moves of each piece, you head from there to a guide (or forward) on how to use your edition of Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess to get the most effective learning results from it. And then comes the meat of the meal! How to go about checkamting the other guy from the first move to the last, you will learn how to deliver tough combinational checkmates and checkmate patterns, all the simple checkmates as well, how to stage massive assaults against the opposing enemy, and how to build inpenetrable defences.

A Word From Bobby Fischer, World Champion Chess Player:

"My book was written to help you play better chess. It can help you even if you don't know chess notation and only play casually now and then. It can help you if you are more experianced and have begun to play in tournaments. It can also help you if you don't know how to play at all."

"Programmed instruction, the method used in Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is a new concept in teaching chess. It has been used previously in industry and schools with exellent results. You can learn quickly and retain the material far better than with ordianry textbooks or lectures, even the beginner will remember what I teach him and be able to use it immediatly."

Buy Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess!

Fritz 10

Fritz 10 just recently came out on the market (Nov. 17th) and is now available to buy. If you love chess or know someone that does, the Fritz 10 software is an essential tool for your improvement at chess, not to mention it's loads of fun. Fritz 10 would make a great gift for anyone, there is only one problem with giving Fritz 10 as a gift, you might not spend as much time with the recipient! They will love Fritz 10 so much they will always be on the computer!

Fritz 10 has all the latest, state of the art programming. The graphics on the all new Fritz 10 are just incredible, along with the powerful game engine, the maximized data-base, and the play chess online features. It all comes together to become the best software ChessBase has come up with yet.

And Fritz 10 isn't just for experts, don't even go there. Fritz 10 is for everyone! The highly advanced technology put together by the Fritz 10 creation team, has made great coaching features that can take you through a game and show you how it could have been played better, or during a game some great moves you can make. Fritz 10 is quite simpley, the best chess software you can buy as an all purpose gaming software.

Buy Fritz 10 now!

Gambit Chess Books

Gambit Chess Books are on sale big time! Right now Gambit chess books are on sale, on sale ata whopping 20% off! Gambit chess books publish well known titles such as; How To Beat your Dad at Chess by Murray Chandler and Storming the Barricades by Larry Christianson.
Gambit chess books have the most modern chess titles available, they are publishing more new chess books than any other publishing company. All Gambit chess books have sturdy bindings on them, making them a long lasting sturdy book that looks great.
All the Murray Chandler books were created with kids in mind. Murray Chandler's idea was to make books specificaly targeting kids and improving their chess game. And all Murray Chandlers books published by Gambit chess books have nice hardback covers and bindings. Gambit books publishes books by great GM chess players such as John Nunn, Peter Wells, Alex Yermolinsky and so many more.
You can't go wrong Buying any of the Gambit titles, all the authors published by have achieved a high status in chess, all of the authors have achieved master status and a large percent of them are Grand Masters. This deal won't last very long, if there is someone you know that enjoys chess these books make a great gift.

All you need to do to claim the 20% discount on your order is include the coupon code gambit when you place your order.

GameKnot.com Online Chess Server

GameKnot.com boasts that they are the right online chess server for you! They say that Game Knot can meet your needs, whether you have just ten minutes to play online or all day, you can get most out of this online chess server. You are garunteed to get good excersize for our cranium and have fun at the same time. There is no software to buy and no download to install, It is completely free to register to GameKnot.com They even give you tips on getting started on their game server. They offer all kinds of playing modes, like blitz chess, classic chess and so much more.

So register now! It's fun and free and at the same time its eduacational.

Weighted Chess Set, Cheap Cheap Cheap!

These weighted chess pieces are great for speed chess! Ya this Weighted Chess Set is weighted so well that they don't tip over like the hard plastic non weighted chess sets. This weighted chess set is the cheapest price you will find online, and thats cheap in price not in quality. The lead is inserted solidely in the bottom of the chess piece so it doesn't rattle at all. Placed over that is a round tab of felt, the felt is there to protect your chess board from the hard chess piece's bottom.

So you might be thinking "oh yeah, another cheap quality weighted chess set" well your wrong! This weighted chess set is the standard tournament sized 3 3/4" chess pieces made from quality plastic! And they Weigh in solidly over 2 lbs They are the real deal priced right. This weighted chess set even has extra queens! They were styled after the Club Special Tournament chess pieces, a design that has held up over the ages of scholastic chess tournaments. And thats saying somthing! Those kids can get real wild with those chess pieces!