As I have written in a previous post, one of my favorite games to play is chess. I have played it since I was a kid and had gotten very good at it as a result. I used to play any chance I got and was always ready to set up the chess board and spend as much time as it took to deliver my strategy to my opponent. Chess was one of those games for me that, win or lose, you could always find me smiling while I played.
Today, we have so many options when it comes to chess play. It used to be the pinnacle of chess was those expensive marble sets with the felt bottomed chess pieces and the built-in electronic timer (not that I had one of these with dragons and knights, I’m just saying). Now, we have travel sets, cheap sets, expensive sets and electronic chess available on every electronic device imaginable. For an avid chess player, it’s a wonderland of chess!
Care for a Game of Giant Chess?
If asked what my favorite form of chess play is as an adult, I would have to say that it’s Giant Chess. I am not sure if that is the actual name for it, but that’s what I call it and it seems very accurate. Giant Chess are those large chess boards and 3 foot tall chess pieces that can be found in parks all across the country and in fact, all over the world. I first saw the game played this way in a park in Wiesbaden, Germany. They combine the intellectual game of chess with some much needed fresh air and sunshine. I like to think of it as an extra workout once or twice a week as lugging around those giant chess pieces for a couple of hours tends to take its toll on you, but in a good way.
There is something about playing chess outdoors in general that makes me happy, but playing chess with ridiculously large chess pieces is even more fun! It also helps you work on your strategy and there are less wasted moves. Remember, every time you make your move, you have to carry that giant chess piece across the board. And, as a little chess history lesson, because here at 1Ksmiles we like to drop a little knowledge and learning on you, the longest decisive chess game is Stepak-Mashian, played in Israel in 1980, that took 193 moves and 24 hours 30 minutes to complete. Imagine doing that with a giant rook to drag around!
If you want a smile, play a game of chess. If you want a fun filled afternoon that will have you laughing out loud, play a game of giant chess. Chances are, there is a park near you with a board all set up! And if not, you can get a set of your very own and play in your yard. I am thinking to get a set and move the couch to the side and play in the living room.
Have you ever played Giant Chess? Do you even call it that? Where did you play? What was your experience? Click here to leave a comment and share your opinion and experience. Would love to hear from you.
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check out the many different sets they have on Amazon such as this one:
It makes me smile too, especially when i look at you in the midst of the game. Cheers!
We have one of these giant chess boards at one of our parks. It’s amazing how many people congregated around it watching the game.
I’m not too bad at chess. Do you play online at all? I regularly play Mitch on SchemingMind.com
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Mitch did tell me that the two of you play. I do not get into many games. An issue of time really.
I remember watching games with the giant chess pieces in the parks in Germany and you are correct, many people did congregate around to watch the games.
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I want such a huge chessboard in my backyard. That would look so cool.
Right? do you have room for one Lukas? Use the link to Amazon I have at the end of the post and maybe you will find one to fit your desires and budget.
Let me know if you get one.
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These giant chess pieces look awesome O.O! I could always think better with a bigger chess board & pieces. Especially in playing online on a phone. This is why I’m more apt to play chess on a computer with a bigger screen. If I do play on a phone, I try to have a chess board handy to “think my moves out.” With this huge set, I could really think big!
You could indeed think really big. The BEST way to think I say! 🙂
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I remember playing giant chess once and it was grand! So much fun- thanks for bringing back a great memory!
Melissa
Curious as to where you played this Melissa.
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Hi,
These giant chess pieces look awesome. I could always think better with a bigger chess board & pieces. Especially in playing online on a phone. This is why I’m more apt to play chess on a computer with a bigger screen. If I do play on a phone.
Here in Kansas City the public library on 10th and Main (4th Floor) has a giant chess board just like those and after a friend introduced me to them, I was hooked to the game! One of my buddies crushes me all the time and tells me to keep practicing. I practice sometimes on sites like chess.com and chessbounty but I enjoy the appearance of the pieces more than I understand the game. LOL
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