Wholesale Chess Sponsors Photo Portfolio Contest

Chess players have come of the nicest smiles we have seen! We base this on the happy faces that have come through in a series of photos of chess players and chess clubs from across the nation.

The submissions are a part of the Wholesale Chess Photo Portfolio contest. Those who send a photo are automatically entered to win a $50 Wholesale Chess Gift Card. The pictures are displayed on our home page banner and roll through a series. So if you don’t see your favorite picture, refresh your screen and it will soon come up.

The photos will be posted on the banner whenever we do not have a sale that is advertised there. We will continue the contest over several months while we continue to get new photos.

Wholesale Chess is the #1 Chess Web Store providing chess sets, boards, pieces, clocks, software, DVDs, computers and all other chess equipment to retailers, clubs, schools and chess enthusiasts around the world.

Pick Your President for February Savings

All you chess aficionados can choose the amount you want to save this month by picking your favorite president (or founding father) during the Wholesale Chess President's Sale, which runs from February 14 through February 24.

For example, you gotta' love Honest Abe (who, in fact, was a chess player.) President Lincoln is on the $5 bill and is good for $5 off a $50 order.

The $10 bill shows Alexander Hamilton, (founding father and one of -only two non-presidents to be on US currency.) Hamilton is good for $10 off a $100 order.

Ulysses S. Grant, (born Hiram Ulysses Grant but changed his name so his initials were not HUG,) is on the$50 bill. Enter his name in the promo box and take $15 off any order over $150.

"Old Hickory" Jackson's image is on the $20 bill. President Jackson will get you $20 off a $200 order.

You'll feel like a president when you play chess with the handsome Chevalier wood pieces we have on sale. (Save $50 plus your presidential discount!)

If you have travel in mind…say between the House and the Senate…you can save on either the Saitek Maestro Handheld computer, or the pocket size Aluminum Magnetic Travel Set. If you are trying to get a balanced budget, you will be happy to know that several of our sale items Ship Free!

And don’t forget our 36 inch demo board for explaining the game. (Any political figure could use that!) For this sale it’s cheaper than our 27 inch set. Take a look at the other items that we have on sale, too. You not only get big savings but you also get your presidential discount on top of these low prices!

Executive Pieces Make a Handsome Set for Private or Tournament Play

If we had to choose one chess set as a favorite from our less-expensive plastic pieces, it would be the Executive Staunton Chess set (item #0175.)

First, the color of the white side is gorgeous. Some whites in the plastic sets lean to a natural or caramel hue but these have a classic ivory color that is reminiscent of exotic ivory. (It’s good the days of hunting those majestic elephants for ivory are gone, but that beautiful ivory color will live on forever!)

Second, the pieces have a matte finish to offset glare, but enough sheen to show-off nicely in the overhead lighting of tournament play.

The Executive Set is a classic Staunton design with a 3 7/8 inch tall king who sports a 1 5/8 inch base. The king weighs 59 grams so it has a nice solid feel. (The entire set is nearly three pounds so it is a great weight for private our tournament play.) The queen stands firmly at her king’s side at about what could be considered his shoulder height. Rather they stand--the set has two queens of each color.

The knight isn't as cheesy as some are. This one has a proudly raised head with laid back ears and a clipped mane. He shows just enough teeth to look threatening--but not so much that he looks unduly evil. A pawn is a pawn, but the rooks are sturdy looking and the bishops look as though they will do their job well.

The price alone makes this an excellent value. It sells for just $14.99. If it is ordered in the Executive Set Combo it is an even better deal. Some plastic pieces look cheap, but you’ll be proud to show up anywhere with this set.