MASTERPIECES

a chess artwork crafted for generations

These chess sets embody my passion for my craft and attention to detail. The pieces are even larger, heavier, and more refined than those in my Original Version. As a passionate chess enthusiast, I have thoroughly studied the requirements of a tournament chess set and carefully considered every aspect of the design. All dimensions and proportions comply with the regulations of the USCF (United States Chess Federation). With a king height of 114 mm (4.5 inches), the set meets the largest standard for tournament chess pieces. Two extra queens are included for pawn promotion. The pieces can be safely stored in a high-quality wooden box. The extra-large, solid chessboard is perfectly matched to the size of the pieces. These sets are the result of years of design development and pure craftsmanship — true masterpieces, crafted to be admired and used for generations to come.

KASPAROV VS. TOPALOV 1999

THE CRAFTMANSHIP

After dedicating a long time to refining the form of these pieces, their curves and details have become second nature to both my hand and eye. I use only traditional woodturning tools and techniques to craft these chess pieces. This allows me to shape the most graceful curves and work out even the finest details with precision. Each dimension is carefully checked—no measurement deviates more than 0.4 mm from my original design. The knight’s head is carved by hand. The entire chess set is made from a single plank of maple and a single plank of walnut. Each set is created through numerous steps of pure handcraftsmanship and represents the highest possible quality.

“When you see a good move, look for a better one.”
— Emanuel Lasker

FINEST FINISHES

The heart of my chess sets is the pieces themselves – featuring a surface finish that is truly exceptional.
For the refinement, I use a special technique called wet sanding: in this process, wood oil is gently massaged into the surface in several steps using fine sandpaper. This allows the oil to penetrate deeply, resulting in a natural, ultra-smooth, and highly durable finish. I work exclusively with natural hard oil waxes, which give the pieces a unique tactile quality and a silky-matte sheen – refined to the touch and built to last.

DUAL WEIGHTING

Weighting plays a crucial role in tournament chess pieces. It gives the pieces significantly more stability and prevents them from tipping over easily during play. Moreover, a well-balanced piece feels noticeably more refined and high-quality in the hand. For my Masterpieces, I have developed a custom dual-weighted system. Precision step-drilled cavities allow for maximum weight while maintaining perfect balance. The custom-made brass inserts by a metal artist increase the weight of each piece up to four times compared to the pure wooden pieces.

THE BOX

custom storage solution

For storing the pieces, I developed a thoughtfully designed system. It consists of two inlays – one for the white pieces, one for the black. Each piece rests securely and precisely in its custom-shaped recess. The inlays can be stored inside a custom-fit wooden box. The handles, crafted from solid brass, are custom-made by a metal artist and also serve as spacers, allowing the inlays to be stacked without issue. For both the inlay lining and the felt pads on the underside of the pieces, I use Alcantara – a premium material with a leather-like feel and exceptional durability.

THE CHESSBOARD

extra large & solid

The extra-large chessboard is perfectly matched to the pieces. With a square size of 60 × 60 mm and overall dimensions of 600 × 600 × 24 mm, it also meets USCF standards and offers ideal playing conditions. The board is made from two particularly strong veneer layers, combining the advantages of both veneered and solid wood boards: high stability, an elegant solid wood appearance, and maximum shape retention—completely warp-free. The surrounding solid wood frame is heavily beveled on the underside, giving the board a visually slimmer look and creating an elegant “floating effect.” At the same time, this design makes the board easy to lift.