Chess-Boxing? Here is the link ... for more about chess-boxing. They say they are looking for more participants worldwide in all skill levels and are offering to pay expenses.
The Holidays are coming ...
We are told that the holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year\'s Eve - are the most festive time of the year. I certainly love the strings of colored lights that push the advancing darkness back, at least a little. But some of the not-so-delightful rituals of the season are the family gatherings. Maybe your family is the perfect picture of warmth and congeniality that would make Norman Rockwell smile. If so, good for you. For the rest of us, take heart. Here are some tips for surviving these get-togethers.
Psychologists say that it is important to learn to listen to each other. (I\'m not sure how this bit of advice and guidance is supposed to help, since listening is the fastest way to rediscover how wrong they really are!) We are instructed to find ways to communicate respectfully and build connections. One important step that is supposed to reduce the confrontational quality of our family holiday gatherings is to surrender our personal desire to be right. Psychologists won\'t say this, but I can tell you that the only good way to win a family argument is to outlive your antagonists.
I would like to add a thought to this list of suggestions - Bring out a chess set! Chess is really a fabulous game to introduce to your holiday festivities. Lousy weather is not a factor. Chess is exceptional in its capacity to span the generations (Junior can challenge Grandpa), to cut across many ages (from elementary school children to adult), and to allow the girls to compete with the boys. Chess can channel the competitiveness and maintain a certain level of sportsmanship. It\'s got lots of possibilities - and with luck you can whomp your arrogant brother-in-law at last.
We are pulling for you.
What\'s New for October?
Several fun calendar dates arrive(d) in October 2010. \'Binary\' day was October 10th (10.10.10) and \'Palindrome\' day is coming up on October 20th (10-20-2010). While these are fun moments to observe on the calendar, did you remember to observe National Chess Day on October 9th?
There are plenty of other chess competitions and tournaments coming up. Check the listings at our Playing Chess page for an event near you (current standing as grandmaster not required).
Check out our newest book, Paul Morphy Confederate Spy, by Stan Vaughan. Contains historical fiction, political intrigue and some fully annotated chess games. Publisher\'s suggested price: $18.95 but currently discounted to $17.50 in the shop ... more
New Distributor for Lord of the Rings Handpainted Chess Set
Recent changes here at the Chess Right Chess Shop include a new distributor for Studio Anne Carlton\'s handpainted Lord of the Rings chess pieces. This set is offered on the House of Staunton website for $299.00 (plus $8 handling charges, plus shipping costs). Through this exciting new arrangement, we can offer this same set of Tolkien\'s beloved characters for half the price ... for a limited time! ... more.
Chess and Tennis Anyone?
Patriotism and a little US History
Chess Variants
COLLECTING
From Grandma collecting pictures for her scrapbook in an old shoe box to the fellow that collects antique cars in his garage, and back yard, and front yard, people love to collect things that have meaning for them.
SOMETIMES CHESS SETS ARE PART OF A COLLECTION
The new arrival of the Santa Fe train chess set with diesel vs steam is just such a collectible. The train enthusiast that goes loco for all things locomotive will be thrilled to add this chess set to his train collection. Here he can show off his affection for trains while keeping his strategy skills sharp with friends, neighbors and family.
The boy who always wanted to grow up to be a fireman, especially if he did, will appreciate the Red Hats of Courage chess set or the Policemen vs Firemen chess set to add to the memorabilia he is already accumulating.
The World War Two veteran (or the history buff that loves collecting relics from that historic conflict with the Nazis) would delight in adding our World War II chess set to his archives.
SOMETIMES CHESS SETS ARE THE COLLECTION.
With so many attractive chess sets, the hardest part is picking just one. If you are not already collecting keepsakes and memorabilia with a theme, and if you love playing chess, it is likely that you are a candidate for amassing a marvelous chess set collection... more.
Chess Pieces from film canisters ... very creative!
The recent release of Tim Burton\'s movie of \'Alice in Wonderland\' has brought a renewed interest in the 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll. This new movie tells a tale of Alice\'s return to Wonderland several years after her initial visit. Critics have been divided in their opinions about the movie, but the original tale remains a classic part of our culture.
Studio Anne Carlton has updated and re-released their popular Alice in Wonderland hand-painted chess set. Add this delightful chess set to your home decor and get some conversations started.
Calling all Classicists! "The Ides of March" refers to the middle of the month, the 15th of March, a day that was once celebrated with a parade in honor of Ares, the God of War. History holds that on the 15th of March in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar, Roman dictator for life, was assassinated in the capital city of Rome. A seeress had warned Caesar of this event, in the phrase later coined by Shakespeare, "Beware of the Ides of March!" ... more
A new video about Speed Chess has been added to the page called "Playing Chess" (as have some more announcements regarding upcoming tournaments around the U.S.). If Speed Chess looks like something you could enjoy, please be sure to check out our assortment of chess clocks for the one that fits your style and budget.
Q: Where can I learn to play chess? I want to know the rules of the game and how the pieces move.
A: You can learn about the basic moves on a website called "Chess is Fun" which will show you how to set up the chess board, how each .. more
Q: I want to learn to play better chess. Where can I go to get better at chess?
A: Children as young as five years old can learn to play chess, but folks will spend a lifetime trying to learn to master the game. That is the beauty of ... more