Chess Pieces

I've been cleaning up bits of filament and setting up a machine for a friend as well as wanting to learn to play chess for quite a while so I finally printed a set of pieces. I got the files for these on the MakerWorld site and it only took a couple of days to print them. Supports were required but they cleaned up not too badly. I think they will do quite nicely to learn with.



Tom

The pieces look great; an intriguing design I haven't seen before.  The rooks resemble Japanese castles.

Anyone who enjoys puzzling over complex drawings to understand how something works can't help but love chess.  However remember:  you can learn the rules of the game in an afternoon but it takes a lifetime to learn to play well.

Marv, these are on a Viking Theme and there are dozens of different themed pieces on Maker World. The Rook is supposed to be a Viking tower but I agree that it looks very oriental.

I also agree about the lifetime of learning. Many of the hobbies I have pursued over the years are the same way and that is why I enjoy them.

Cheers

Tom

"However remember:  you can learn the rules of the game in an afternoon but it takes a lifetime to learn to play well."

Yeah, yeah, whatever.     

All four of my sons learned to play chess in their school's competitive chess club.  They quickly got way to good for the old man to hold his own, I guess I was too busy puzzling out drawings and CAD models at work to spend much time learning to play well.

I played chess at school and was quite good. I could beat some of the teachers. I have played my 8 year old grand nephew and he is good. The last true game I played was on the Jasper to Prince Rupert train over 44 years ago. Someone in the coach said "Does anyone fancy a game of chess?" Like an idiot I said yes.

AVTUR

As long as you're printing pieces you might want to consider printing a third queen.

As you probably know, if a pawn reaches the eighth rank, it can be "promoted" into any piece its owner chooses.  Unless the promotion yields an immediate checkmate, most players will promote the pawn to a queen.  Since the color of the promoted pawn (black or white) can't be predicted, having an extra queen of each color is a possibility.  However, these promotions are very rare so having a third queen of a different color (e.g. red) solves the problem without the need to make two extra queens.

When I turned my steel and brass set...

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/metal-chess-set-55396#post81789

I made a third queen of aluminum, which worked but I had to drill it out and fill it with some lead bird shot to mimic the feel of the true queens.

Thanks for that Marv.
No, I did not know that wee gem of information as I am a complete newbie. One of my wishes as I blew out the candles on my 80th birthday cake was that I wanted to learn the game if I could. This is the start!!

Cheers

Tom

Thanks Krypto, I forgot to post that link. I also found my cell phone in the refrigerator!!! It's that time of life!!







Tom

Quote from: wagnmkrThanks for that Marv.
No, I did not know that wee gem of information as I am a complete newbie. One of my wishes as I blew out the candles on my 80th birthday cake was that I wanted to learn the game if I could. This is the start!!

Since a player starts off with eight pawns, it's theoretically possible for him to have nine queens in play.  However, the chances of this happening are vanishingly small.  Even three queens is very rare. 

When using the more common Staunton pattern set, a promoted queen is often indicated by an upside down rook.

My experience is that pawn promotion is more useful as a threat, rather than a fait accompli.  Tying up several of your opponent's pieces trying to block or capture a pawn near the eighth rank gives you time to set up your own traps.

The other move you'll need to study is castling.  It's the only move where you're allowed to move two of your pieces and you can only do it once per game.  Unlike promotion, it occurs frequently so understanding it and using it is essential.

Thanks Marv. I am currently printing a 3rd Queen and it will be very easy to spot!

Cheers