| bottom-link"> | | | | They have a very natural appearance, with streaks |
| In 1849, the first Staunton wooden chess pieces were | | | | and the grain of the wood that gives them a naturally |
| made. The thing that set the Staunton apart from all | | | | beautiful and strong look. They are usually a |
| other chess sets was the design of the pieces. Up until | | | | brownish-red color but can be stained different shades. |
| that time there was no sta... | | | | Rosewood chess pieces are generally heavier than |
| Nathaniel Cook and John Jaques are credited with | | | | most other wooden chess sets, giving them a unique |
| designing the pieces. They came up with designs for | | | | feel. |
| the separate pieces that would be distinguishable from | | | | Shisham wood, also known as Indian boxwood, is also |
| each other, sturdy, and well balanced. They called | | | | commonly used to make chess sets. Shisham chess |
| them Staunton chess pieces after the current world | | | | sets are durable and often have exquisite attention to |
| chess champion Howard Staunton, who agreed to | | | | detail. These wooden chess sets often come in a |
| endorse these particular pieces. Since then, Staunton | | | | variety of beautiful, natural-looking shades of brown |
| chess pieces are the standard chess pieces, used | | | | and can be stained a variety of colors. They are |
| almost universally. | | | | weighted towards the bottom to prevent them from |
| Many different types of wood are now used to make | | | | tipping but are not as heavy as rosewood chess |
| chess pieces in the Staunton style. Rosewood and | | | | pieces. |
| shiham wood are two of the most commonly used | | | | Wooden chess sets are among the most popular in |
| woods. Many chess enthusiasts prefer wooden chess | | | | the world. Well-made wooden chess sets show great |
| sets to sets made of any other material because of | | | | craftsmanship and a sort of intangible playability. Many |
| the weighted feel and natural look of the pieces. | | | | chess fans use wood chess sets simply because they |
| Rosewood chess pieces are among the most popular. | | | | like the feel of wooden pieces. |