Red Wolves (Lupus Rufae); Soviet GM1 ‘Wolf-Eared Knights’ Tournament Chess Set, c.1965

Lupus Rufae (Red Wolves); 32 vintage chessmen without board, weighted, wood, Soviet GM1 ‘upright knights’ pattern (prob. Dagestan Penal Colony, DASSR), tinted shellac vs. black, artistically recreated, c.1960-1970

Height: King 12.5cm, weight 35g, base width 4cm; Queen 10.5cm 32g, Bishop 8.5cm 24g, Knight 9cm 35g, Rook 7.5cm 27g, Pawns 7cm 15g

W: Gulag Blue felt pads, B: same

 

The prison series ‘Orange is the New Black’ springs to mind when first clapping eyes on these vibrant GM pieces. But although they were indeed a product of the Soviet penal system the light pieces were actually inspired by the fiery-orange patina of an earlier Soviet pattern, the ‘Baku’ chessmen, which I have attempted to recreate here using multiple thin layers of tinted amber shellac. A technique that lends the light army great depth that will only mature and intensify with age.

 

The silky smooth lacquer finish of the dark pieces is original, barring a few invisible touch-ups here and there. The ‘feel’ of this original finish has been matched exactly on the light pieces and with eyes closed the light army are indistinguishable from the dark – believe me – I’m verifying this as I type! The ‘ball and peg’ finials of the royals are replacements true to the GM1 design, the colour scheme my own, making it easier to identify the similarly shaped king from the queen during a fast-paced game.

 

The ‘Red Wolves’ moniker is a play on the recently adopted nickname for this GM1 variation, itself derived from one of our own Chess Schach sets I named ‘Wolf-Eared Knights’ back in 2019 (see ‘Lupus Auribus Milities’ in our Archive Gallery). The knight’s over-sized V-cut ears with their characterful dropped jaw being a particular trademark for this stocky, Brutalist, GM1 design.

 

Both kings carry the 2023 hand-painted, iridescent pearl ‘Power’ signature of the artist on their bases and the RED WOLVES are also accompanied with one of our unique Chess Schach ‘Certificates of Artistry.’

 

Etsy Set Price: $900.00

 

Ref code: LR23