I am an awful player...well not awful, but it’s just that I loose all the time and I’m not sure which move of mine is going wrong. In spite of my failures, invented thousands of years ago, Chess is a wonderful board game! Considered to be the ‘king’ of board games, it stills attracts people from all over the world, regardless of their age. In the past chess was mainly played by courtiers; nowadays everybody may enjoy this privilege. For the players of today, Bonhams has managed to collect some incredibly important pieces to be sold. Scheduled for 13th of this month in London and dedicated to the world of Chess and Board Games, Chess sets from almost every continent will be offered for sale. The rarest and the priciest of the lot is the ivory inlaid Backgammon and Chess Board from Northern Italy (dated to circa 1500). Estimated at £8,000-12,000 ($16,000 – 24,000), this set might have been a game for an aristocratic personality belonging to Italian Renaissance.

Moving east wards, it’s the fine quality Chinese Export Gaming Table from Canton, circa 1830, that is mounted on a tripod base. Quoted for £4,000-6,000 and expertly carved with dragons’ heads, the figures move on lacquered and gilt chess board that is richly inlaid with mother of pearl.

An 18th century Islamic ivory chess set, stained red and green and decorated with gilding, contains abstract pieces as the Koran forbids figures to be reproduced. I’m sure some Sheik from Middle East won’t bat an eyelid before picking it up for just £4,000-6,000.

Rightly said, Chess is undeniably making a luxurious comeback.231561