The King Must Die Hand Carved Chess Set
/the-king-must-die-hand-carved-8393.jpg "The King Must Die Hand Carved Chess Set")
- Dragon Chess Set - $160.94
- Lladro Chess Set - $2,600.00
- LED Glow Chess Set - $51.76
- Chess Set - U.S. Civil War Collectible Figurine - $76.99
- Chess Bookends - $56.42
Obviously I like this chess set because most of its pieces appear to have leapt right out of my VHS cassette of Beetlejuice, one of the best 80s movies ever, as evidenced by the fact that I am saying so right now. I sure hope its King Must Die eponym is only figurative though, because what a shame to drop 10Gs on a cerebral exploit Raul Pomares surely spent in the 3 digits of hours carving by hand only to have one of the kings spontaneously burst into flame (this seems to be the most logical form of death for a wooden chess piece) upon completion of game 1.
Pomares' slate/travertine board--also his own forging--measures 46" x 46", and holds 32 unique sculptures representing its pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, queens, and kings. Each piece is whittled from wood and sits atop a marble base. Other materials contributing to the set's composition include epoxy clay, ink, varnish, and paint.
As an artist, Pomares strives to create objects that serve a purpose, that can be used, so that an owner or admirer will "immerse him/herself in that world and interact with art rather than observe it." In addition to the featured chess set, he also sells ornately carved bottles, as well as displays a gallery of (sadly not for sale) sick wooden guitars and hookahs on his Website. Pomares will entertain commissioned work. Someone should ask him to make a letter holder that looks like the shrimp cocktail that grabbed Otho & Co. by the face at the Deetzes' dinner party.
Batman Chess Set
Of course the Batman Chess Set costs nearly $800. The Dark Knight is a fancy superhero. The fanciest superhero of all, I would say. And check out how dashing he looks in fine pewter and diecast metal. Villains the Joker...
Kama Sutra Chess Pieces (NSFW)
And suddenly, the intense inaction and sporadic finger movements of chess captivate the masses and enamor even those who have no idea what the hell is going on. Erotic chess pieces abound in Etsy vendor Nicola Ford's...
/chess-set-in-a-ring-59215.jpg?mode=crop "Chess Set in a Ring")
Chess Set in a Ring
I lay down my King and resign. Before even beginning a game on Joe Turner's wonderful, but Grandmaster-level, Chess Set in a Ring. Sorry, make that Grandmaster-vision-and-fine-motor-skill-level Chess Set in a Ring. Made...
Bullet Chess Set
This ammunition inspired chess set is made using spent .223 bullet shell casings. One side uses steel casings and the other side uses brass casings. The kings and queens are the only 4 pieces with an actual bullet re-set...
/vintage-bookshelf-board-games-58091.jpg?mode=crop "Vintage Bookshelf Board Games")
Vintage Bookshelf Board Games
These Vintage Bookshelf Board Games from WS Game Company are, to quote the late, great Chris Farley, awesome! I mean, have a gander yourself. Vintage Monopoly folded and packed up all tidy to look like a book: awesome!...
/arena-the-game-of-chess-in-60495.jpg?mode=crop "Arena - The Game of Chess in Concrete")
Arena - The Game of Chess in Concrete
Inspired by Roman amphitheaters and made of everyone's favorite building material*, Arena - The Game of Chess is Material Immaterial Studio's concrete interpretation of the checkered board and royal playing pieces. It's...
/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-Chess-Set-662.jpg?mode=crop "The Lord of the Rings Chess Set")
The Lord of the Rings Chess Set
Every detail is authentic, richly realistic and true to the Academy Award winning epic film. The board is a magnificent work of art, detailing the story of Frodo, the reluctant hero of The Shire, and the friends and foes...
War of 1812 Chess Set
We can all appreciate the creative skill, labor, and craftsmanship Jim Arnold poured into his elaborate, entirely hand-carved War of 1812 Chess set. But those of you out there who actually know what the War of 1812 is...
/dragon-chess-set-16342.jpg "Dragon Chess Set")
Dragon Chess Set
Welp, judging by the bones fossilized in the platform uplifting this chess set's glass board, the biggest dragons have already been slain. Now all I gotta conquer are the baby fire breathers, and in all likelihood their...
/dogs-vs-cats-chess-set-54855.jpg?mode=crop "Dogs vs. Cats Chess Set")
Dogs vs. Cats Chess Set
Think your chess skills are the cat's meow? That your opponent is barking up the wrong tree...or scratching up the wrong post...saying they can beat you? Then put your feline kings and canine queens where your mouth is...
Nixie Chessboard
Now here's a new spin on smart lighting. Lasermad says their stellar Nixie Chessboard is the first and only Nixie tube-powered chessboard in the whole world, and I believe it. Who has the creativity to even come up with...
/ferrari-carbon-fiber-chess-set-13961.jpg "Ferrari Carbon Fiber Chess Set")
Ferrari Carbon Fiber Chess Set
Sure, $2 grand is steep, but it's not like this is just a Ferrari carbon fiber chess set. Look, you can play checkers on it too. And check out the varnish on those red playing pieces. I can almost see my reflection in...