Pards’ Bronze chess set
As chess is a game that belongs to no one individual or culture, there is no true standard chess set. My goal with the Pards set was to make what would be my personal ‘standard’ set.
The pieces were sculpted, molded, and cast in solid bronze. The board, carefully laminated from hardwood.
My design was influenced by the abstract pieces of shatranj, the historic version of the game as it existed in the Islamic world. Inescapably, I was also influenced by Michael Graves, who’s chess set was my first and who’s designs had long been my ‘default.’
The chess set is named for the grandfather whom I never had the chance to meet, but had the chance to understand (at least in part) by playing his game.
Each piece reflects the piece’s function as well as how the player interacts with them. For example, the pawn’s unchanging momentum is emphasized in its lean and the knight’s mane allows the player to deftly pinch it and lift it over other pieces. The base of each figure is slightly oblong to acknowledge the directionality of the game.
