Alumni (The Scholars); Soviet ‘Shkolnik’ Metal Chess Set, c.1960

The Scholars (Alumni); 32 vintage metal chess pieces without board, Soviet, cast (knights) and hand-turned aluminium, Shkolnik II pattern, natural vs black, artistically restored, c.1955-1965

King Height: 6cm, weight 20g, base width 3cm

Queen: 5.3cm, wt. 20g, base width 3.2cm

Bishop: 4.8cm, 16g, bw. 2.7cm

Knight: 5cm, 23g, bw. 2.8cm

Rook: 4cm, 20g, bw. 2.7cm

Pawns: 3.5cm, 10g, bw. 2.3cm

W: Antiqued battle-grey felt pads; B: same

 

A rarely seen, scaled-down, metallic variation of the ubiquitous ‘Shkolnik II’ carbolite chessmen used throughout the youth “Pioneer Palaces” of the Soviet Union during the 1950s and ‘60s. These medium-sized aluminium pieces are hardy and sturdy – and a lot fun to play with! Also, as they closely resemble the Staunton pattern, they don’t prove a distraction if running through the classic Soviet matches of the Cold War era.

 

Aside from the four knights, which have been finely cast from a permanent mould, the set has been skillfully hand-turned on a lathe, thereby there are very slight (practically indiscernible) differences between the pieces. Perhaps the most obvious is the difference in size between the two king finials, which are otherwise identical. Also, I converted the opposing finial colours of the royals and clerics, sticking with tradition, as the originals were of the same colour. It just seemed natural – you can thank me later… 

 

A few pieces of the dark army have been meticulously touched up in areas where they were barren of paint, eliminating anything that caused a distraction during the course of a game. The light side has been treated with a very light wash of thin, light shellac to seal the aluminium. This also highlights the fine thread-lines caused by the turning process, something you don’t see with modern metal chess sets turned and finished by robotic arms!

 

Both Queens carry the hand-painted ‘Power’ signature on their bases and the Alumni are also accompanied with one of our unique Chess Schach Certificates of Artistry, dated, signed and stamped by yours truly.

 

Etsy Set Price: $$650.00

 

*last photo: Alex Marshall; courtesy of www.sovietchesssets.com

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