Last few days - show will close on the 20th of November!!
Extra-large - the uses of oversize chessmen
I. Ergonomy in chess
Ergonomy is the science of the basic rules underlying human work - and its optimization in a situation of shared work. As such it has always been a siamese twin to the somewhat shady aims of taylorism, which aims at optimizing the utilization of human and machine forces in order to produce more and cheaper goods and services.
But from a less ideologically charged viewpoint, ergonomy - composed from the greek word Ergos (work) and Nomos (law) - simply means the design of equipment and devices that suit the human body, our capabilities and cognitive abilities! In other words, any design activity is bound to to be concerned with adapting environments, tools, machines and work processes to the people who will use them.
Zooming down into the field of chess, it means simply having chess ambientes that permit the exercise of the game of chess with the greatest ease and comfort. In other words, design of chess pieces - and adaptation of chessmen , chess boards, and chess playing environments to man's limited range, movements and facilities!
Chess is usually played among persons sitting on the opposite side of a table - although it can be played sitting on the floor, lying down, standing up and even floating in weightless space, as astronauts have proved time and again. But sitting down on both sides of a table conditions the size of chessmen and boards - adult human beings standing in general between 1600 mm and 2000 mm high (2), their arm lengths and height sitting down involve a maximum size of board and table - and their hand sizes are best served with a certain height of chess men.
A median size of chessmen will have sets with kings between 85 and 95 mm height - and that is exactly what the International Chess Federation FIDE has suggested to use for the last 80 years, and what is laid down in the FIDE handbook as suitable for tournament play. These sizes conform to what is generally known as Staunton 5 and 6 , according to the universally accepted Staunton scale.
But from a less ideologically charged viewpoint, ergonomy - composed from the greek word Ergos (work) and Nomos (law) - simply means the design of equipment and devices that suit the human body, our capabilities and cognitive abilities! In other words, any design activity is bound to to be concerned with adapting environments, tools, machines and work processes to the people who will use them.
Zooming down into the field of chess, it means simply having chess ambientes that permit the exercise of the game of chess with the greatest ease and comfort. In other words, design of chess pieces - and adaptation of chessmen , chess boards, and chess playing environments to man's limited range, movements and facilities!
Chess is usually played among persons sitting on the opposite side of a table - although it can be played sitting on the floor, lying down, standing up and even floating in weightless space, as astronauts have proved time and again. But sitting down on both sides of a table conditions the size of chessmen and boards - adult human beings standing in general between 1600 mm and 2000 mm high (2), their arm lengths and height sitting down involve a maximum size of board and table - and their hand sizes are best served with a certain height of chess men.
A median size of chessmen will have sets with kings between 85 and 95 mm height - and that is exactly what the International Chess Federation FIDE has suggested to use for the last 80 years, and what is laid down in the FIDE handbook as suitable for tournament play. These sizes conform to what is generally known as Staunton 5 and 6 , according to the universally accepted Staunton scale.
Open Air Chess
Open Air Chess pieces - found in many city squares ....good physical exercise...
2.What is an extra-large chess set?
Chess pieces up to the 19th century would have all kinds of sizes - but with the creation of chess clubs and the triumphant arrival of the Staunton style things started to change. Jaques immediately started to sell their chess men in various sizes, classifying them as "Club size" - meant for serious play in chess clubs! - as standard size - and as library size, and numbering them from XXX till 6, according to the base width. The base of XXX kings measured 1 3/8 " across, No.2 kings in wood measured 2 " across base, the base of the top range Nos. 6 kings in ivory 2 " across (1). Other companies either copied the Jaques grading along with the style, or - for example the shortlived British Chess Company - installed their own numbering system.
From this rudimentary classification arose what is today known as the Staunton scale - with a grading of pieces according to king height in inches or mms, handy for manufacturers, players, traders, organizers, and the chess world in general. When exactly and under which circumstances this scale was adopted - I do not know - specific information will be most gratefully received!
According to the Staunton scale, we have to consider the FIDE sizes as standard in competition chessmen, and the old "Club size" (4 1/2 inches) as large. If the patient reader of these musings will grant me the liberty, we will leave figurative chessmen out of the picture - as they are not only meant for play, and sometimes even impractical or even unfit for play, and not always graded by size!
Anything beyond club size, therefore might be considered extra-large. Such chessmen cannot be used for organized tournament play, except under special circumstances.
From this rudimentary classification arose what is today known as the Staunton scale - with a grading of pieces according to king height in inches or mms, handy for manufacturers, players, traders, organizers, and the chess world in general. When exactly and under which circumstances this scale was adopted - I do not know - specific information will be most gratefully received!
According to the Staunton scale, we have to consider the FIDE sizes as standard in competition chessmen, and the old "Club size" (4 1/2 inches) as large. If the patient reader of these musings will grant me the liberty, we will leave figurative chessmen out of the picture - as they are not only meant for play, and sometimes even impractical or even unfit for play, and not always graded by size!
Anything beyond club size, therefore might be considered extra-large. Such chessmen cannot be used for organized tournament play, except under special circumstances.
Stone oak set
This svelte and elegant set in Iberian stone oak stands 135 mm to the king - with a base of about 60 mm.
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Tall and slim
With the thumb rule of 4 pawns to fill a square , we need a board with 90 x 90 or 100 x 100 mm squares - almost one meter to reach across to the opposite side!
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Old Polish
Older polish set in maple wood, well executed, with kings standing at 230 mm( ca. 9 1/2 ") - carved by knife or adze, substantial bases, would look even better painted.
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Big Cesar
The flagship of the omnipresent polish chess production, this large figurative set is at least partly machine-finished, and housed in an enormous folding board case of 80 x 80 cm! Pieces represent a reigning court of the 17th century, and are quite impressive - although not as appealing as the Older Set !
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Big Cesar
This set is contemporary - has been made for the last 30 years, with the carving having become more and more machine-driven. Ultimately, the manufacturers have tried their hand at colouring, with mixed results.
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II. Practical considerations:
The bigger the pieces get, the larger obviously will be the chessboard - which means that ground row mate yonder may be just out of a players reach! Very large chess boards will not fit on standard tables - they will gravitate to a low-slung coffee table, situated between arm chairs and sofas at knee level. And if they get very big - it's down to base, to the floor! Meaning this thumb rule applies: the bigger they get, the lower they drop - also applies to politicians!
Other considerations are that in manipulating larger equipment one uses up more energy - playing blitz games with wooden outdoor pieces may be considered athletic exercise. And inside the house it is surprising how many walls and corners You can bang into when carrying around large boards, boxes and pieces. And last not least - big sets and boards take up big amounts of space - here is where small housebred sets come into their own!
Other considerations are that in manipulating larger equipment one uses up more energy - playing blitz games with wooden outdoor pieces may be considered athletic exercise. And inside the house it is surprising how many walls and corners You can bang into when carrying around large boards, boxes and pieces. And last not least - big sets and boards take up big amounts of space - here is where small housebred sets come into their own!
Spanish patio set
Spanish patio set from the 70ies - lovely stone oak wood, varnished, no steeple on the set, and a knight that reminds me of a baby dinosaur that has been gambolling over TV screens for quite some time! King stands 200 mm high.
Filipino Staunton
Voluminous chessmen from the Philippines - a bit congested on the cloth board - but needing a long reach on a board that measures 90 cms wide! The gent playing - Kai Finkler, like most of us a chess man in a larger game - stands 2020 mm tall!
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III. Origins and destinies
Large sets for playing chess outdoors or on the floor seem to be a creation of the 20th century - at least I have not come across instances of large chessmen before that. When people wanted to play on a large scale in the old days - mainly potentates , or torunament orgnaizers seeking to drum up attention - they would mount a spectacle of "Living Chess" , playing with human figures dressed up suitably.
But with the arrival of large town squares - and later shopping streets and pedestrian zones - public or semi-public chess became a minor fad. On the other hand, the rising popularity of chess following WW1 created an appetite for playing chess in rest homes, old age homes, holiday camps and the like. I have seen a photo of a worker's rest sanatorium on the Krim in Soviet days, where people played floor chess, using huge wooden pincers to grab the pieces and move them around, while seated.
Last not least, in a standard range of goods, there is always the oversize upper end of the range. Several European manufacturers of chess men always sported a top size of chessmen, at high cost, both for personal pride, and in order to satisfy the occasional interest for an oversize chess set. Mexican chess piece makers have had a great time selling huge chess sets to tourists from Texas and adjacent regions - where they like everything big - steaks, automobiles and decolletés! Philippino turners have had a field day selling huge chess sets to the numerous US servicemen who at one time or another have passed through the US Naval Base at Subic Bay.
Today, there is at least one Indonesian turning manufactory which does very well in exporting huge chess sets in Teak all over the world. As for plastic outdoor sets, they are legion.
But with the arrival of large town squares - and later shopping streets and pedestrian zones - public or semi-public chess became a minor fad. On the other hand, the rising popularity of chess following WW1 created an appetite for playing chess in rest homes, old age homes, holiday camps and the like. I have seen a photo of a worker's rest sanatorium on the Krim in Soviet days, where people played floor chess, using huge wooden pincers to grab the pieces and move them around, while seated.
Last not least, in a standard range of goods, there is always the oversize upper end of the range. Several European manufacturers of chess men always sported a top size of chessmen, at high cost, both for personal pride, and in order to satisfy the occasional interest for an oversize chess set. Mexican chess piece makers have had a great time selling huge chess sets to tourists from Texas and adjacent regions - where they like everything big - steaks, automobiles and decolletés! Philippino turners have had a field day selling huge chess sets to the numerous US servicemen who at one time or another have passed through the US Naval Base at Subic Bay.
Today, there is at least one Indonesian turning manufactory which does very well in exporting huge chess sets in Teak all over the world. As for plastic outdoor sets, they are legion.
Mexican folding board
A very tall man - Kai Finkler, 2.02 m - is almost hidden behind the huge Mexican folding board, which houses a very solid Staunton set - pine wood, kings at 255 mms.
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Russian floor set
If the table space is too tight, we drop to the floor. A carpet chess board is ok for slow games - although it does not really provide a flat playing surface. These Russian pieces were certainly played on tileboards - many sanatoriums or rest homes formerly as a matter of habit had black-and -white checkered tile floors - kings stand 246 mm high - no felts, not needed on tiles.
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IV. Design
Most extra-large chess sets - exceptions like the polish giants shown above confirm the fact - are made for playing, and therefore often modeled in Staunton style. The ideal proportion for Staunton chessmen or other playing sets is to have a base half as wide as the king is high. That is, a king standing 90 mms high should have a base 40 to 50 mms wide. This proportion of 1 :2 is rarely reached - only in the very best and most expensive competition sets - because it simply means that half of the original wood block or cylinder the pieces is turned from - is thrown away, is lost, and the producer makes use of roughly only half of the well dried and expensive wood he has acquired! A simple question of calculating commercial margins and plus values, and avoiding wastage!
In extra-large sets, pieces usually are simply "lenghtened" - that is, scaled upwards in lenght, and not in width, so the proportion of king height to base width slips to 1: 4 or even more! The same base diameter serves for much taller pieces - in order to avoid an even larger loss of material. Besides, as the perspective is often from above, and pieces are gripped from above, at a leisurely rate - there is less need for lateral stability - and weighting very large chess men is quite unusual. In wood sets, the weight of the material provides some additional stableness - and in the popular and light outdoor plastic sets, usually the hollow bottom can be weighted with sand.
In extra-large sets, pieces usually are simply "lenghtened" - that is, scaled upwards in lenght, and not in width, so the proportion of king height to base width slips to 1: 4 or even more! The same base diameter serves for much taller pieces - in order to avoid an even larger loss of material. Besides, as the perspective is often from above, and pieces are gripped from above, at a leisurely rate - there is less need for lateral stability - and weighting very large chess men is quite unusual. In wood sets, the weight of the material provides some additional stableness - and in the popular and light outdoor plastic sets, usually the hollow bottom can be weighted with sand.
German Staunton
Elegant and well finished German Staunton set from the 60ies - just a bit tweaked on the somewhat too small board it is shown on. The opposite colour tops on the bishops provide a Central/East European flair - kings stand 285 mm with a base width of 75 mm - ratio of height to base diameter is 4 : 1 !
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Grounded
This massive british set from the 70ies was always meant to be played on the floor - in the garden or on a veranda. While no beauty, it is meant to resist dog bites, child kicks and other abuse - the kings stand 290 mm and each pine roll weighs over 1 kg (2 pounds!). The extra high kings and queens are useful to avoid discussions among short sighted players.." I say, where is my queen?"
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V. What is the point?
This is one of these questions that leave enthusiasts dumbfounded - but lets try to answer them. The interest or attraction of extra large sets is threefold - haptic, ludic and manic.
Haptic, because it is fun to touch , handle, move and play these large figures - and every move in a game becomes a potentially "heavy" statement. Of course, we humans are always attracted by the unusual in size - very large dogs, very small cars, and so on. Let us omit the psychological explications some analysts would think up, Freudian or not - and just say that every child loves a big cone of ice cream.
Ludic, because playing a game of chess with large pieces is quite different than sitting down at a table and whizzing off dozens of blitz games. A big set forces ponderous moves, the physical exercise is not to be discounted - esp. in floor sets - and the sheer size forces a more paused rhythm of playing and thinking. In other words, the game gravitates towards - a meditative stance, and this is where the playing of chess is the most satisfying. Besides, we all know that a big chess set in a public place is an immediate crowd generator and attention spinner - where a big board and pieces are planted , You will have people around all the time!
Manic, because chess is a contagious disease, or at least an intoxicating game, which will grip its practitioners, and in some case change and influence their life. Therefore, it is now wonder that anything chessic will strike a chess fan's eye, especially if it is out of the ordinary. And big pieces - stand out, call for attention, weave a subconscious web of fascination.....it is no coincidence that large pieces have been often used as trophies, serve as lampbases, as objet trouvé for decoration, or as ash-tray holders, just to name a few. One company had a whole load of 500 wooden chess queens in large size made, in lovely grained ash wood, to hand out as a promotion offer. Big success too, by what I heard.
Haptic, because it is fun to touch , handle, move and play these large figures - and every move in a game becomes a potentially "heavy" statement. Of course, we humans are always attracted by the unusual in size - very large dogs, very small cars, and so on. Let us omit the psychological explications some analysts would think up, Freudian or not - and just say that every child loves a big cone of ice cream.
Ludic, because playing a game of chess with large pieces is quite different than sitting down at a table and whizzing off dozens of blitz games. A big set forces ponderous moves, the physical exercise is not to be discounted - esp. in floor sets - and the sheer size forces a more paused rhythm of playing and thinking. In other words, the game gravitates towards - a meditative stance, and this is where the playing of chess is the most satisfying. Besides, we all know that a big chess set in a public place is an immediate crowd generator and attention spinner - where a big board and pieces are planted , You will have people around all the time!
Manic, because chess is a contagious disease, or at least an intoxicating game, which will grip its practitioners, and in some case change and influence their life. Therefore, it is now wonder that anything chessic will strike a chess fan's eye, especially if it is out of the ordinary. And big pieces - stand out, call for attention, weave a subconscious web of fascination.....it is no coincidence that large pieces have been often used as trophies, serve as lampbases, as objet trouvé for decoration, or as ash-tray holders, just to name a few. One company had a whole load of 500 wooden chess queens in large size made, in lovely grained ash wood, to hand out as a promotion offer. Big success too, by what I heard.
Ricart biggies
This massive floor set by the long vanished spanish maker Ricart - check the telltale shoebox knights heads! - fairly bursts the 100 x 100 mm squares of the large chess board. The smaller version still stands at 122 mm king size - the floor set sports a whopping 255 mm king with a 90 mm base (proportion less than 1 : 3) !!
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VI. Collecting ?
Collecting travel sets is certainly an easier enterprise: a whole collection of them will fit comfortably into one medium-size cupboard! With these largish sets, it is quite clear: You cannot do it in a bed kitchenette, these things need a LOT of space! That's probably why collectors shy away from very large equipment - although the argument is that these sets have no "pedigree", or monetary value, or whatchamacallit - they simply will not fit into the average collectors life! I recall visiting one collector - living in a two-room apartment with his wife, in fairly small rooms, and lots of chess sets squished in here and there - one had to move carefully! And on the top of one cupboard a huge chess set was bunched together, out of reach and slightly dusty!
But of course big chess sets are a lot of fun, and historical artefacts of an imposing presence. And great to play with among friends, if You can arrange a suitable scenarium for play. Whether they will ever amount to any monetary value - right now they do not, they are downright cheap to buy - is a moot question, and perhaps not so important.....
But of course big chess sets are a lot of fun, and historical artefacts of an imposing presence. And great to play with among friends, if You can arrange a suitable scenarium for play. Whether they will ever amount to any monetary value - right now they do not, they are downright cheap to buy - is a moot question, and perhaps not so important.....
Floor combat
This modernist chess set was designed to be played on a tile board or on wood slates - kings stand 550 mm, the pieces are very well finished and smooth to handle. Not really suited to a PVC floor mat - because of the "horseshoe nails" ... ratio of height to base is 6 : 1 !
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 Heavy duty
Massive nails embedded in the bases - these pieces will not splinter when plonked down hard, but the tile floor may....
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VII. The End ?
If You have followed my meanderings so far - thank You for Your patience! - You may be looking fror a wrap-up to the subject - well, here goes:
Although chess in general seems to be on the ebb - at least my personal impression is a bit bearish - street chess is quite popular, and with more and more inner city malls and pedestrian zones being created, it is highly likely that chess will continue to be one of the attractions in these playgrounds.
But large floor chess sets in wood - despite those valiant Indonesians - are certainly disappearing, for a number of reasons. Wood is expensive, when one pieces gets stolen it is difficult to replace, large wood pieces are notoriously difficult to make on a turning lathe, and the stuff is HEAVY to dislocate, store, carry around. City halls might even be open to litigation by onlookers who have had a rook dropped on their toes! In general, "plastic has won the day on us", as a former maker of tall chessmen told me years ago. PU pieces have taken over - they are cheap to make, lighter to carry around, unproblematic to store, and easy to replace - if chessmen get carried away, for instance!
Intermediate big pieces are a different proposition - some of the makers have gone away, leaving these large reminders of their efemeral presence as chess piece manufacturers. Such sets - like the large Ricart set shown above - are certainly interesting, if only as testemonials. Large sets are still made in India, Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia. Big chessmen will continue to have their appeal for chess lovers - they may symbolize affluence and success, signal status and/or generate show effects in companies or institutions. But mainly, they will always provide a lot of pleasure and excitement for the lucky people who can play chess with them.
Although chess in general seems to be on the ebb - at least my personal impression is a bit bearish - street chess is quite popular, and with more and more inner city malls and pedestrian zones being created, it is highly likely that chess will continue to be one of the attractions in these playgrounds.
But large floor chess sets in wood - despite those valiant Indonesians - are certainly disappearing, for a number of reasons. Wood is expensive, when one pieces gets stolen it is difficult to replace, large wood pieces are notoriously difficult to make on a turning lathe, and the stuff is HEAVY to dislocate, store, carry around. City halls might even be open to litigation by onlookers who have had a rook dropped on their toes! In general, "plastic has won the day on us", as a former maker of tall chessmen told me years ago. PU pieces have taken over - they are cheap to make, lighter to carry around, unproblematic to store, and easy to replace - if chessmen get carried away, for instance!
Intermediate big pieces are a different proposition - some of the makers have gone away, leaving these large reminders of their efemeral presence as chess piece manufacturers. Such sets - like the large Ricart set shown above - are certainly interesting, if only as testemonials. Large sets are still made in India, Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia. Big chessmen will continue to have their appeal for chess lovers - they may symbolize affluence and success, signal status and/or generate show effects in companies or institutions. But mainly, they will always provide a lot of pleasure and excitement for the lucky people who can play chess with them.
Notes:
(1) see Alan Fersht, Jaques and British Chess Company Chess Sets, Kaissa Publications, Cambridge 2010, pp. 38 / 39 for the respective tables
(2) children's requirements are seldom taken care of in youth chess - fe shorter pieces, smaller boards, tables, chairs....
(1) see Alan Fersht, Jaques and British Chess Company Chess Sets, Kaissa Publications, Cambridge 2010, pp. 38 / 39 for the respective tables
(2) children's requirements are seldom taken care of in youth chess - fe shorter pieces, smaller boards, tables, chairs....
