Soviet-era Latvian Chess Set

The Historical Chess Set Series

#14 - Soviet-era Latvian Chess Set

Soviet Latvian chess pieces, also known as Latvian Staunton, are a unique and distinctive style of chess pieces that originated in Latvia during the Soviet era. The inspiration for this set is a Latvian set made in the 1960s. Characterized by their slender, elegant shapes and minimalist design, often the pieces are made of wood, with the dark pieces typically stained black or dark brown and the light pieces left in their natural color or stained a lighter shade.

Historians believe the design of the Soviet Latvian chess pieces to have been influenced by the traditional Staunton chess set, which Jaques of London first introduced in 1849 and has since become the standard for chess pieces used in tournaments worldwide. The Latvian Staunton pieces, however, have a more streamlined and modern appearance, with elongated bodies and simplified features. The knights, for example, have a more abstract representation, with a curved, almost crescent-shaped head, while the bishops have a simple, conical shape.

We can trace the history of Soviet Latvian chess pieces back to the early 20th century when Latvia was part of the Russian Empire. Chess was a popular pastime in Latvia, and local artisans began producing unique chess sets. The design continued to evolve during the Soviet era, and the Latvian Staunton style became more widespread.

Despite gaining notoriety as the chess set seen in the final game between Beth Harmon and Vasily Borgov in the Netflix Series The Queen's Gambit , there is limited information on tournaments where players specifically used Soviet Latvian chess pieces. Latvia and possibly other Soviet republics likely used these pieces in local and regional tournaments. However, they were not widely adopted for international matches, as the traditional Staunton design remained the standard.

In recent years, Soviet Latvian chess pieces have become sought-after collector's items, particularly among chess enthusiasts and those interested in the history and culture of the Soviet Union. The chess sets' unique design and craftsmanship make them an exciting and valuable addition to any chess collection.

NOTES:

The King and Queen in this set have finials of alternate colors. To facilitate printing these with different filaments or resin, separate models are available for the body and the finial. The finials have posts that glue into the body. Print the model with the finial and body combined if you are painting the pieces.

Size (height/base):

With a king height of 95.4 mm when printed as modeled, this set is slightly larger than a Staunton Scale 6 (St. >6), a standard tournament-sized set.

- ♔ King: 95.4 mm / 38.7 mm - ♕ Queen: 84.4 mm / 38.5 mm - ♗ Bishop: 78.5 mm / 36 mm - ♘ Knight: 66.4 mm / 37.2 mm - ♖ Rook: 57.4 mm / 35.6 mm - ♙ Pawn: 48.4 mm / 33.3 mm The recommended chessboard for this set will have squares 50 mm - 54 mm on each side.

Scaling:

To resize this set to one of the following standard sizes, scale the model by the factor given before printing.

- FIDE Size 1 - St. 5 (King 87 mm): 0.92 (92%) - Club Size - St. 9 (King 112 mm): 1.17 (117%) REFERENCES:

- Chess set in finale of Queen's Gambit? - Which Chess Set is used on the Netflix Series “The Queen's Gambit”? - Chess Set in the finale of The Queen's Gambit ABOUT THE HISTORICAL CHESS SET SERIES:

Introducing a remarkable resource for chess lovers and history buffs – a collection of historical chess set printable models from around the world! Immerse yourself in the game's rich cultural history with designs ranging from the ancient world to modern times. Each set is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of its era that showcases the evolution of chess throughout the centuries, providing a stunning visual representation of the game's journey that will impress any chess enthusiast. Whether you're a seasoned player or a history buff, this collection has something to offer everyone. Join us on a journey through time and discover the beauty and intricacy of chess through these historical sets, which will captivate, inspire, and invite you to engage with the game in a whole new way.

CHESS SETS IN THIS SERIES:

- Man Ray 1945 Prototype Wood Chess Set - March 13, 2023 1945 Wood Chess Set prototype design by Man Ray, as illustrated in the book "Imagery of Chess, Revisited". - Austrian Biedermeier Coffeehouse Chess Set - March 19, 2023 An Austrian chess set in the Biedermeier Coffeehouse style made around the Biedermeier period between 1815 and 1850. - French Directoire Chess Set - March 26, 2023 A classic French chess set design, also called the French Revolutionary chess set, from the Directoire period 1795-1799. - English Rowbotham Chess Set - March 26, 2023 A stylized chess set commissioned by the Reverend Rowbotham from John Jaques of London and designed by Nathaniel Cook. - Soviet-Era Russian Poni Minimalist Chess Set - March 31, 2023 Russian chess set designed in the 1920s by Alexey Poni, a classic example of minimalistic style and functional design. - French Dierdot Chess Set - April 8, 2023 French chess set also known as the Encyclopédie Chess Set, an artifact of the 18th-century French Enlightenment period. - Leonardo Da Vinci's Chess Set - April 14, 2023 Leonardo Da Vinci's chess set design found in De Ludo Scachorum, written by Luca Pacioli, a Renaissance mathematician. - Duetsche Bundesform Chess Set - April 21, 2023 Deutsche Bundesform (German Federation Form) chess pieces used exclusively at the Munich Chess Olympiad in 1936. - Czechoslovakian Coffeehouse Chess Set - April 28, 2023 A vintage coffeehouse style chess set similar to those made in Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) ca. 1950. - Romanian Bundesform Chess Set - May 7, 2023 Chess set originating in Romania in the early 20th century exhibiting the German Bundesform style of chess pieces. - Polish Coffeehouse Chess Set - May 15, 2023 A rare Polish coffeehouse design heavily influenced by Austrian aesthetics and the popular Regence style of 18th Century France. - Budapest/Hungarian Chess Set - May 19, 2023 This is a unique and elegant Staunton-inspired chess set made in Hungary ca. 1920's-1930's with a rare Knight shape. - Bulgarian Chess Set - May 26, 2023 A beautiful Bulgarian design chess set inspired by a handmade set made in Bulgaria/Eastern Europe ca. 1950s–1960s. - Soviet-era Latvian Chess Set - June 2, 2023 Chess set similar to the one seen in the final game between Beth and Vasily in the Netflix Series, "The Queen's Gambit". - Old Windsor Castle Chess Set - June 9, 2023 Rare souvenir set of chessmen made using the old oak from the St. George Chapel at Windsor Castle during the 1820s. - German Bohemia Chess Set - June 16, 2023 German Bohemia chess set with "chicken-head" Knight made circa 1970s and designed for the 1970 Siegen Chess Olympiad. Look for future weekly releases, including rare and beautiful Yugoslavian, and Romanian chess sets. Send me a message if you have a particular chess set design that you would like to see as a 3D model. I am always open to new ideas. Although I have steered clear of the Staunton design, I am considering adding the more popular formats, like the 1959 Zagreb and the 1950 Dubrovnik sets. Let me know if you are interested in adding Staunton sets.

FAIR AND COMMERCIAL USE:

The models in the Historical Chess Set Series allow others to enjoy playing the game of chess with something other than standard Staunton chess pieces (see license below). These models are licensed for an individual's personal use. Individuals may print sets to give away, providing parties have no other value exchange. Any commercial printing or distribution is strictly prohibited. Please don't make me wake up my lawyer; she's grumpy when she doesn't get her beauty sleep, and you will suffer the consequences.

DISCLAIMER:

Please be advised that there is no intention that the models and representations provided herein are exact reproductions of their original counterparts. Instead, they should be regarded as artistic interpretations, reflecting the creativity and vision of the artisan.

The artisan has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and fidelity of these models. It is essential to recognize that they may contain variations, deviations, or artistic liberties the artisan took to enhance their aesthetic appeal or convey a particular message.

As such, we encourage users to appreciate these models for their artistic value and creative expression while acknowledging that they may not be precise replicas of the original subjects. Please enjoy these works with an open mind and a discerning eye, understanding that they represent a unique blend of historical inspiration and artistic interpretation.