Chess Scotland Noticeboard

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

My fellow Chess Scotlandarians,

Today is a sad sad day. I have spent today in London in preparation for the London Chess Classic in December.

We went back to Chess and Bridge Suppliers to leave our bags there as we had a couple of hours before the journey north.

To my dismay, I saw this

I am gutted. For many's a time, that respected poster, Geoff Chandler has come on here and stated, nay instated that these were not a Chess set, in fact he stated that they were used in other games.

I hope everyone will agree that this is the Lewis Chess Men and they are in fact clearly a complete set (retailling at just over £100 I belive).

I would like to hear what Geoff has to say as undeniably this is a chess set Wink

Geoff Chandler · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:57 am Post subject:

Fakes.

They have increased the size of the 'warders' to make then look
like Rooks. Go to the BM and see for the originals pieces.

It's a total rip off, an insult to the game of Chess and to the
whole Norse race.

Some new evidence 'unearthed' very recently.

(I think the BM is releasing this stuff in bits and pieces to save face).

They found boards at Trondheim where everyone agrees
the pieces were carved. 11x11 boards, 14X14 boards no 8X8 boards.

(boards found in 1932 - fact hidden by BM till now).

Historians confirm Vikings buried their dead with gaming pieces.
They have recently found a Viking boat grave with gaming pieces.

I have been looking into Sir Walter Scott, he loved Scotland and was
passionate about everything Scottish. He saw the full set of the pieces
before the BM and dismissed them.

This was at 2 0'clock on the 17th October, 1831 (Today!!)

(time, date and event from Scott's Journal).

He let the BM take the pieces right out of Scotland though he was
offered them first.

"But Scott hated chess" I hear you shout.

You have one quote: "Chess is a waste of brains."

Who has not said something similiar after losing a game.

Read his life story, he often played chess.
(and lost by the sound of it).

Quote from his life story.

Scott could not sketch, so he used to form a kind
of log-book by cutting off branches of trees in the
places of historical interest which he visited — not a
practice to be commended. He intended to have made
a set of chessmen of the wood thus obtained ; the kings
coming from Falkland and Holyrood, the queens from
Queen Mary's yew tree at Crookston, bishops from
abbeys, knights from baronial residences, rooks from
royal fortresses, and so forth. The plan may be said to
have been realised on a larger scale when Abbotsford
was built.

Does that sound like a guy who hated chess?

Scott knew they were not chess pieces and obtained by dodgy means.

New theory (mine) with a possible Isle of Lewis connection.

I have a priest in some tales who is invovled. In one the priest
comes to Edinburgh seeking Forrest.

(the mysterious 'Mr. Pyrie' of whom no one can find hide nor hair of?)

How about his church was built on the site of some pagen religous site.
A very common practice. He found these pieces whilst digging a new
grave. Slipped them to Forrest for a silent back hander.

Explains why nobody has found anymore - they are looking in the
wrong place.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 758

Andy,

I suspect that Chess and Bridge have been selling these sets for some time. Its not clear from the photo but is the packaging and board biodegradable ?

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

Hi Phil,

Yes I noticed that, the packets were indeed biodegradabe. Do you think it could have been Ye Olde Chesse and Bridgee that originally found them?

Geoff Chandler · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:45 pm Post subject:

Ye Olde Chesse and Bridgee..... Smile

Keep rolling the ball across the goal mouth boys , I'll tap it in.

Caxton's book printed 1474 of course does not call what we
call Bishop's "Bishops."

He calls them "Judges."

No Bishop's till the next century.
Pieces carved in the 11/12th century.

So why are these things being sold as chess pieces?

My next step is to contact and enforce the Trade Descriptions Act of 1968.
They are taking & making money under false pretences.