![]() Their familiar pieces are used in these competitions as well as elite tournaments around the world. The white pieces, on the other hand, were carved from maple, with both aesthetics and functionality in mind.The Staunton Standard: Evolution of the Modern Chess SetĢ018 marks the tenth anniversary of the Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC), which now hosts some of the United States’ and the world’s most prestigious chess tournaments, making it the perfect time to examine the history of the Staunton chessmen. However, I later spoke with Holger Langer, who had direct contact with the former owner of Bohemia, and discovered that these sets were actually made from walnut. The pieces in the reproduction set had a color and grain that looked strikingly similar to those of my set, leading me to draw this conclusion. Initially, I believed that the wood used in my chess set was sheesham wood, as the only information I found online was about a Chess Bazaar Reproduction Bohemia set made from sheesham wood. I personally like the slits on Bishops, particularly widened ones, as they add an aesthetic beauty for me, but that is my opinion. The Bishops in these German sets lacked the slits on their mitres that are commonly seen on other sets, while the Rooks have flattened tops. Interestingly, it reminds me of the character "Falkor" from the 1984 film, The NeverEnding Story. Although some have compared it to a dog, I have seen other knight pieces that resemble canines more closely, so I prefer to refer to it as a "Dragon" Knight. Its pointed ears and open mouth add to its striking appearance. It is important to note that these sets are not derived from the "Bohemian region" (Czech.), but rather from the actual name of the company, "Bohemia." Therefore, these names are frequently confused by people (including myself at first).Įxamining my recently acquired chess set, the Bohemia "Dragon" Knight is an intricately carved piece with a fiery-looking mane, a sturdy head, and a slender neck. The names "Dragon" and "Chicken" Knight describe the features of two distinct series produced by Bohemia. The set that included the "chicken" knight was likely produced between the late 1960s and 1970 and was used in the 1970 Chess Olympiad in Siegen, Germany. These sets were predominantly produced around the 1960s, and while older sets had finials with opposite colors on the Bishops, newer sets had uniform finials. One of the most highly prized sets created by the Bohemia chess manufacturer was the "Dragon Knight"collection, which was meticulously handcrafted from a combination of maple and walnut and had a moderate weight that made it particularly desirable to collectors. Unfortunately, in 2019, the company came to an end when its former owner and managing director, an elderly woman named Edda Dittler, was unable to find anyone to take over the business after she retired (anyone interested?). ![]() It later moved to Heiligkreuzsteinach in the Odenwald region near Heidelberg in 1952. Holger explained the factory was established in Querfurt, Saxony Anhalt in 1946, immediately after World War II. He provided me with valuable insights about the company's beginnings. However, I was lucky enough to get in touch with Holger Langer, an expert chess collector from Hamburg, Germany, who had communicated directly with the former owner. Researching the history of the Bohemia chess factory was difficult because there isn't much information online (I hope this Blog post adds to the available information). Furthermore, I will delve into some intriguing chess games that were played on similar Bohemia sets during the 19th Chess Olympiad in Siegen, Germany. The set was produced by a company called Bohemia, and in this blog post, I invite you to join me on my journey of discovery as I explore the exquisite chess set and its origins. Recently, I had the pleasure of acquiring an original German chess set dating back to the 1950s-1960s, which came with a stunning box and board. For collectors, the excitement of acquiring a new item comes not only from possession but also from the research and learning that comes with it.
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