Chess pieces · RCM
4" 1950s Soviet Latvian Chess Pieces - Ebonised Boxwood - Reproduction
No reviews yetReproduction of the 1950s Soviet Latvian design favoured by Tal, 4-inch king, double weighted.
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Description
A reproduction of the Latvian design that Mikhail Tal was fond of. The pieces are slender, with wide bases and the same sleek tops on king, queen and bishop — a fresh change from the standard Staunton. The knights are unusually large, with the mane carved on one side only. The design became much better known after it appeared in The Queen's Gambit.
Details
- Wood: ebonised boxwood (dark), boxwood (light)
- King: 4.0 in (102 mm) tall, 1.7 in (44 mm) base
- Weighting: double weighted with iron and lead
- Set weight: about 2.5 lb (1.14 kg)
- Board to match: 2.16–2.36-inch (55–60 mm) squares
- Included: 34 pieces; board sold separately
Piece sizes
| Piece | Height | Base |
|---|---|---|
| King | 4.0 in (102 mm) | 1.7 in (44 mm) |
| Queen | 3.3 in (84 mm) | 1.6 in (41 mm) |
| Bishop | 3.0 in (76 mm) | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Knight | 2.7 in (68 mm) | 1.5 in (37 mm) |
| Rook | 2.3 in (58 mm) | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Pawn | 1.8 in (46 mm) | 1.3 in (33 mm) |
Good to know
The pieces are tall and slim, so they need 55 mm squares or larger to breathe.
Size
- King height
- 10.2 cm
Care instructions
A wooden board and boxwood pieces will outlast you if you keep two things away from them: water and extremes. Everything below follows from that.
The board
Keep it dry. Water lifts veneer and swells solid wood; a spilled glass should be wiped at once. Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators, air conditioners and fans: heat and dry air make wood shrink, humidity makes it swell, and a board that lives next to a heater will eventually gap at the joints.
Dust it with a dry, soft cloth. Smudges and fingerprints come off with a cloth that is barely damp. If the surface feels sticky, wipe it dry. Once a month or so, a little beeswax or a furniture polish such as 3M keeps the lacquered boards looking new; our boards have a melamine lacquer that takes polish well.
The pieces
Boxwood wants the same thing as the board: no damp, no heat. Store the set in its box or pouch, not on a windowsill. Do not use polish on the pieces; a dry cloth is all they need. A piece that has taken a knock can be re-felted; write to us.
Folding and travel boards
Close them with the pieces inside their compartment, not loose on the board. Magnets do not mind temperature, but the felt does mind damp, so dry a travel set that has been in the rain before it goes back in the bag.
If something has gone wrong with a set, see the warranty or write to shop@worldchess.com.
Shipping and returns
Orders over $300 ship free to the US, UK and EU. Return any order within 14 days of delivery.
Payment options
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Complete the set
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