You either love it or you hate it but you can’t deny that chess is a timeless classic possessing a unique and almost unachievable longevity.

The history of this classic game spans an amazing 1500 years, with its origins dating back to India in the 6^th century AD.Although since its ancient inception, the humble chessboard has not been radically transformed or altered.

Having said this, there are some ‘alternative’ and highly collectable chessboards out there.

If you happen to be a chess fanatic you may be interested in hearing about five of the most ‘unconventionally’ designed chessboards available.

PIKDA Chessboard

Designed by Franco Marino Cagnina, a designer from Argentina, the PIKDA chessboard is an edible board which features cookie-cutter-like chess pieces that can be filled with appetizers such as meats and cheese. Once the game is finished, the board can double up as a serving platter – the perfect accessory to spark stimulating conversation, not to mention fun, at a dinner party.

Electric Chess

This truly remarkable chess set was designed by chess player and American architect Brent Blake. The set features a white laminate base, a mirrored Plexiglass surface, as well as several components including sockets, bulbs and plugs. Instead of traditional chess pieces, the electric Chessboard uses coloured and transparent bulbs so players can differentiate their pieces.

The Pharmaceutical Chessboard

Using etched and transparent pill bottles and a surgical-inspired board with ‘biohazard’ signs, the English artist, entrepreneur and art collector, Damien Hirst aims to employ the concept of ‘mental Escapology’ with his pharmaceutical-inspired chessboard.

Amorphous Organic Chess Set

With each individual piece on the chess set encapsulating a single suspended insect, designer Alastair Mackie brings a touch of animal kingdom magic to the game of chess. A ground insect denotes the white pieces and a flying insect denotes the black pieces, and with each insect being trapped inside transparent amber cylinders, lit up by the glowing surface of the board, which helps make the Amorphous Organis Chess set resonant of “Jurassic Park”.

Charles Hollander ultra-extravagant chess set

Made out of gold and encrusted with diamonds, only the most exquisitely refined of chess player will have the chance to play on this impeccably designed chess set. The luxury item designer is certainly no stranger in creating bedazzled jewelled designs, but this ultra-extravagant chess set really could be the ultimate gift for the lover of lux items.

Be Sociable, Share!

•