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(More customer reviews)Back in the mid '70's, my mechanics instructor retold a story about Honda of Japan, American Honda, and the newly introduced Honda Goldwing motorcycle which had just been developed and three prototypes shipped here to the States for evaluation of and for American road worthiness as well as safety. Needless to say, the three prototypes fell short of the goals set...the motors were way too powerful for the puny tires and spoked wheels of that era, compared to today's crotch-rocket wheelsets. American Honda communique'd back to Honda of Japan that the bikes were dangerous and they had no intention of even trying to market the Goldwing in the U.S. as the liabilities were too great.
Well as you know, Goldwings are going strong here these 35 years later as all Honda needed do was dumb the horsepower down and make a few other changes. But as for the three prototypes?...They were ground down into little pieces, no souvenirs for nobody.
So what does this story have to do with chess? I think the same fate was dealt to the original Fischer-Spasskey playing set(s). I could almost swear I saw a news video of the proprietors of the tournament, after it was over, breaking the chess pieces in two in a box at their feet. Am I certain this was the tournament? Nope. But Vegas rips playing card decks in two every day if not at the end of every day. And who knows if that wasn't one of Bobby's demands. Maestro Frank would know if any one.
This 'memorabilia' set has a rather understated knight appropriate to the rest of a chess set's pieces as was the original tournament Jaques of London knights were understated in appearance. Ramparts on the rooks are nice and tall compared to the 'cigar ashtray' ramparts on other more expensive sets. But the ashtray look goes back to the original Staunton designs of the 1800's. Bishops are nice and have a labor of love feel to them, IMO. Pawns are an inch & 3/16 in case you prefer to choose your board size by doubling pawn width. A 2 & 1/4 inch board should work just splendid. Boards bought outside of House of Staunton will likely be 3 millimeters shy of 2 & 1/4 inch, if the board is made in Spain. Boards made in Spain are the best for the money but Spain prefers metric and thus mass markets boards at 55 mm...3 mm shy of 2 & 1/4. But H.o.S. boards are on the money by ordering enough boards from Spain so as to warrant a custom run with English dimensions for the squares. If you're going to get into this you might as well get to know the particulars of the collecting hobby & items, my apologies if this is too much information. Stay aware & informed & don't let anyone sell you a board too small or not accurately conveyed as what it's dimensions truly are.
Lastly, shop House of Staunton before you shop anywhere else. Now's a good time. Else you can shell-out $800 for an orginal J. of L. set. But remember, wood is wood and Frank won't sell you short.
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In 1972, Robert James "Bobby" Fischer and Boris Spassky battled for the World Chess Championship in the most widely followed match in the history of Chess. Despite a disastrous start, where he lost the first 2 games, Bobby Fischer fought his way back and decisively defeated Spassky by a final score of 12.5 - 8.5, single-handedly ending the Russian dominance of Chess. The Chessmen that were used during the match were produced by the legendary Jaques of London.
The House of Staunton is proud to offer the Reykjavik II Series Chessmen, a faithful reproduction of these historically important Chessmen. This full-tournament sized set features a 3.875" King, weighs an impressive 54 ounces and includes 4 Queens. The design and feel of these Chessmen make them ideal for serious tournament competition.
As with all House of Staunton Chessmen, this set exemplifies the perfect combination of beauty and functionality. The design, quality and workmanship of each House of Staunton piece is UNMATCHED by any set of Chessmen in its price range. Nothing even comes close!
The Chessmen are new and each set consists of 34 Chessmen, 17 light and 17 dark (including the two additional Queens.)
Indulge yourself - Own a legend!
Click here for more information about House of Staunton Ebonized Reykjavik II Series Chess Pieces
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