Step 1 - Select Wood
Golden Rosewood and Natural Boxwood
Step 2 - Would you like to Add a Board?
Do not add a board
Tournament
Our Tournament Wood Chess Boards are affordable, ideal for both serious and casual play, and feature House of Staunton Logo.
Savings of $10
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Standard
Our Standard Wood Chess Boards offer the perfect combination of affordability & luxury, and are available in a variety of woods.
Savings of $20
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Superior
Our Superior Wood Chess Boards are designed for the discerning player, crafted in Europe from exotic woods.
Savings of $20
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Signature
Our Signature Wood Chess Boards are handcrafted out of solid woods and are the finest chess boards available.
Savings of $50
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
eBoard
Step 3 - Would you like to Add a Box?
Do not add a box
Tournament
Our Slide-top Chess Boxes are affordable, with two large storage compartments, a slide top lid, and HOS logo silk-screened.
Savings of $10
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Standard
Our Standard Wood Chess Boxes offer the perfect combination of affordability & luxury, and are available in a variety of woods.
Savings of $50
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Signature
Our Signature Wood Boxes are the ultimate way to protect your luxury Chess Pieces, with individual storage compartments.
Savings of $100
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Superior
Our Superior Wood Boxes are a terrific way to protect your luxury Chess Pieces, with die-cut foam storage compartments.
Savings of $100
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
The Reproduction of the 1939 Olimpico Series Chess Pieces - 3.75" King
THIS ITEM IS IN STOCK!!
PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Found this item at a lower price elsewhere? We'll match it!* Certain restrictions apply.
The House of Staunton is proud to offer our Reproduction of the 1939 Olimpico Chess Pieces. A full tournament-sized chess set, it features a 3.75" King with a 1.5" diameter base. The chess pieces are hand carved by our master artisans and crafted out of the highest grade woods. The chess pieces are heavily weighted with luxurious billiard cloth base pads and a beautiful finish.
As with all of our chess sets, our Reproduction of the 1939 Olimpico exemplifies a perfect combination of distinct beauty and functionality. It has been designed to withstand the rigors of practical play while maintaining an elegance which has become the hallmark of a House of Staunton chess set. The design, quality and craftsmanship of this set is UNMATCHED by any set of Chessmen in its price range. Nothing even comes close!
The Chessmen are new and each set consists of 34 Chessmen, including four Queens, a standard that was introduced by The House of Staunton in 1993.
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ISBN
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Does not apply
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King Height
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3.75'' inch / 9.53 cm
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King Base Diameter
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1.5'' inch / 3.81 cm
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Basepad Material
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Billiard Cloth
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Material(s)
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Ebonized Boxwood, Golden Rosewood, Indian Rosewood, and Natural Boxwood
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Median Set Weight
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38.4 Ounces
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Total Number of Pieces
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34 Chess Pieces, including 2 Additional Queens (for Pawn Promotion)
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Fitted Coffer Compatible?
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Too Small for Coffer
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Chess Board Included?
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The Chess Board featured is for photographic purposes only and must be purchased separately
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Recommended Chess Board Size
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2.25" inch / 5.7 cm
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Wood Selection(s)
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Ebonized Boxwood and Natural Boxwood, Golden Rosewood and Natural Boxwood, and Indian Rosewood and Natural Boxwood
History of the Chess Pieces
The 1939 Buenos Aires Chess Olympiad convened under the dark shadow of a looming world war, the last Olympiad that would be held until 1950 in Dubrovnik. Ironically, Poland and Germany battled for first place even as Germany panzers streamed towards Warsaw. When the German team finally emerged the victor, no one applauded them at the trophy ceremony. Drama swirled around the presence of Alekhine, playing for France, and Capablanca, playing for Cuba, and whether they would meet in another world championship match. The English team left Argentina before completion of the tourney, fearful of being stranded there by U-boats and Kriegsmarine raiders. The U.S. never sent a team out of financial concerns. Many European players, among them Miguel Najdorf, stayed in South America rather than return their war-ravaged homelands. Many who did return died in the war.
The chessmen used at the Olympiad were manufactured in Argentina and known as the “Magistral” set. They were made not of wood, but of Bakelite, and molded in several pieces which then screwed together on imbedded brass bolts. They came housed in a very unique, large black rook. Originals survive today in several museums and private collections.
