Inspired by Through the Looking Glass — and that would be the Lewis Carroll classic, not the Lost episode — the pieces of this chess set are each contained in a cylinder that turns opaque when they're removed from the board. The pieces turn transparent again when you put them back down in one of the squares.
The idea is to show that chess pieces have no value unless they're in play. I suspect the real effect, though, will be to flummox players with bad attention skills since they'll forget which piece is in their hand after they pick it up. Where are you going to move that bishop, friend? Or is it a rook? Make your move and find out!
Contact designer Yasmin Sethi if you want one of these cloaking, memory-taxing chess sets.
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Yasmin Sethi, via Pan-Dan
editor@dvice.com
By teapot7 at 3:22 AM ON 07/03/08
Havve a look at the comment thread on BoingBoing, most particularly comment #11. It is indeed a nice idea, but sounds a bit less realisable than the designer thinks.
By Wesley at 12:59 PM ON 07/08/08
I do like this. Though I can imagine how annoying it would be to set up the set. Still would like to own it.
By Cool Wallpapers at 7:59 AM ON 07/18/08
awesome...this must be very expensive. i like it very much
By xidarain at 10:56 AM ON 07/21/08
That is so photoshopped, why do people put so many shops on the interwebs.
By Stop Smoking at 10:58 AM ON 07/24/08
Pretty cool idea but it could be a little aggravating I think.
By RPO at 9:40 AM ON 07/29/08
That is a nifty set of chekcers
By Recruiting Services at 4:15 PM ON 07/29/08
Interesting idea. Points for creativity
By chicken recipes at 9:57 AM ON 10/08/08
that is really cool. i just started playing chess i would definitely use these pieces