A complete departure from the classic wooden chess board and piece combination. Both the board and pieces, designed and fabricated by professional chess artisans from Italy. The solid Brass and Nickel plated Brass construction of the pieces very special, with understated character. They are a good weight and feel nicely balanced in the player's hand. They are hand turned carefully finished and polished. The design of these pieces harks back to the modernist movement of the early twentieth century. The pieces are fitted with red felt pads on their underside to protect the playing surface and are presented in a special cardboard presentation box, making them the perfect gift.The Italian made Erable and Elm board in blue is a visual masterpiece. Finished in a very high gloss lacquer, the wood grain and knotting of the burl looks almost three dimensional under the rich lacquer. The inlaid squares are bordered with a thin veneer of Ebony that sections of the playing area from the edge. The