We are all familiar with the pieces of a standard chess set - the kings and queens, the bishops, the knights, the rooks and of course, the pawns. But have you ever seen a chess set where the king and queen are the spitting images of Homer and Marge Simpson, and the pawns are miniature versions of Bart?
A Simpson-themed chess set is just one of many novelty sets that you can choose from these days. Although standard chess sets remain to be the bestsellers, themed chess sets have definitely increased in popularity over the years, and it's not difficult to see why. After all, who wouldn't be delighted to see their favorite characters come alive in an exciting game of chess?
Attractive though they may be, one needs to take some time before deciding on buying a themed chess set. These are merchandise that you don't simply buy on a whim. In order to avoid buying something that would turn out to be not what you wanted at all, it would help to take a few important things into careful consideration first.
Price
Many themed sets can be rather expensive, particularly the ones that are available in limited editions. There are some sets that are reasonably priced but there are also others that cost several thousands of dollars.
Even if you have already decided on which particular set to buy, it is advisable to do some comparison shopping first before you make the actual purchase. You can do this both online and in traditional stores - the more outlets you check, the better your chances of finding the best deal.
Longevity
The novelty of a themed chess set can quickly wear off. For example, you may be pretty stoked about getting a Hello Kitty chess set today but you may feel quite silly playing with it a few years down the road when your interest in the cute beribboned cat has diminished. You may even be too embarrassed to let people know that you have it and so instead of taking it out to play with when you have company, you'll just keep it buried underneath a pile of junk in the attic or the deepest recesses of your closet.
Of course, this does not happen all the time. In fact, there are some classic themed sets that just get even better as they age. The point is to try and think of how you would feel personally about your themed chess set, say, ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now. You just definitely wouldn't want to buy something that you will want to get rid of in a few years time.
Material
Some people buy chess sets to play with while others buy them to use as decorations in the house. Themed chess sets, in particular, are more frequently used as decor because they not only look very interesting but they also make for excellent conversation pieces for your visitors.
Before you buy a themed chess set, you first need to decide whether you are going to use it primarily as a display or if you are actually going to use it in actual games. Your decision will determine a number of different factors regarding the set, such as the type of material that the pieces can be made of. Fragile materials like glass and some kinds of wood would be perfect for a display piece but not so much for a set that would be played with on a daily basis.
If you expect your chess set to be used frequently, then it should ideally be made of a sturdy material that is not easily prone to breaking or scratching. Many themed sets are made of wood, but there are also ones that are made of plastic, which are ideal for younger players.
Aside from these considerations, you would also have to realize that playing with a themed chess set can be rather confusing, especially if you are used to using a regular chess set. With some sets, it can be pretty hard to distinguish between the different pieces. Before making each move, you may have to look closely to determine which is which, and this added task can certainly distract you from the actual game.
If you are not really that eager to have a themed set and are only interested in getting one for the purpose of novelty, then you may want to think twice before making the purchase. Furthermore, if you are a serious chess player, there are many classic sets that would probably suit you better.
On the other hand, if you are truly interested in getting a themed set, either for purposes of display or gifting to a special person, there are several great options that you can choose from. Just make sure to take your pick carefully so that you can be sure to get your money's worth.
No comments:
Post a Comment