As I'm trying to draw a detailed plan for a garden design based on the Anglo-Zulu War 1879, this is another of my ideas of what to include. Chess has always been compared to military strategy, so I thought a giant game located in the design would be an interesting addition. Most giant chess games that I've seen tend to have a material board, but wooden or plastic chess pieces. I'm thinking it would be quite straightforward to use coloured slabs to make a board, secured permanently in position, to create a more solid base to play the game on. May I ask if anyone else has either seen giant chess sets for the garden, played it, or even better, has a set for their own garden ? I know it is an unusual question, but it is quite an unusual project. C.J.
I've seen large chess boards set out in some gardens which are open to the public. They've had square concrete slabs set down as the board. Some have been painted black and white others have had different cloured slabs. All were impressive and I think it would look wonderful in your garden if you have the space.
Yes I agree that it's a great idea C.J. Garden games are great fun. Beats sitting inside anyday. How will you do the chess pieces themselves? Will you purchase them?
Thanks for your replies. Yes. I've been playing chess for a while now and acquired a couple of the normal standard sets for the house, one made of wood, the other more ornamental being made of glass. Although I did obtain a couple of computer versions also. There is a raised lawn area (square in shape) in my garden, framed by a 'platform' or 'shelf' on the 2 open ends with 4 pots on each, a 3' fence on another side, and on the last a small ornamental wheelbarrow beside a 9'x 6' extension patio attached to the back of the house. There are 2 stairs in the middle of one of the platforms leading up to this area, but also a set of 4 stairs on the end of the other platform, with a storage area on the other side of the attached handrail. So, the 'blank canvas' is all ready for when I decide to include the chess game. I think to decide the size of the slabs, it will be necessary to eventually purchase the chess pieces and use them to get the required scale. I like the idea of using dark and light brown for the slab colours to soften the contrast between the game and the rest of the garden. I have several other ideas of how to merge the back garden as it is, with the theme that I am trying to design, leaving the front and side garden for my roses and hopefully a nice japanese maple. C.J.
While we are on the subject of chess I'd just like to go off-topic for a moment and say that I finally worked out how to get games working on GardenStew so for all you chess lovers out there check out the chess game OK back on topic
The advantage of having a chess board in the garden, is the fact that children are able to play giant draughts which are also available. I think they'd like the idea of playing a huge version of the game. C.J.
I know many have probably seen giant chess first hand, but check out the Nomi Klein Check Mate Chess Pieces at CHESS USA, and also the way they created the board as well. Now, how cool would that be, playing that in the garden on a summer's day, with fellow chess players, a barbecue and a few beers. It costs a fortune, but wouldn't it be great. C.J.
Now if the chess pieces were big enough to be driven... THAT would be something! But I agree with you C.J it sounds like so much fun
Although not chess pieces that can be driven, have you ever heard of HUMAN CHESS ? A large chessboard with individuals dressed as chess pieces ! This is used for events and team-building. However, if you check the internet you'll find the same sort of idea (humans as chess pieces) but a real CITY is the chessboard ! While 2 individuals play ordinary chess, the moves they make on the board are passed on to the human chess pieces by mobile phone and they move accordingly. There is a great site which gives better details and images. Apparently the game was invented a few years ago by an artist in Boston. (I think) C.J.
Eshowe calling As a pom living in SA six months of the year, i read with great interest and great surprise your / and also my idea of having a chess set in the garden themed on the Anglo Zulu wars. As i live smack in the middle of Zululand. I wish you the very best in your endeavor and hope we can keep in touch. If there is any information that you need i will be only to happy to oblige. as far as i can see, there is only one stumbling block and that is the assigning of a queen, for the British side you obviously use Queen Vic; however i'm not sure who to utilise on the Zulu side as King Cetshwayo had numerous choices, it may be an idea not to use a female and to substitute a witch doctor (Samgona) on the Zulu side and Shepstone AT Chelmsford's side for the British. Regards Robbie
Robbie Hello there. Well, I wonder what the chances were of this happening ? Chess pieces for the garden which have an AZW-theme, would require to be custom-made, giant-sized being quite expensive. I've considered my best option would be to use standard giant chess pieces, but use an AZW-theme in the rest of the garden, therefore maintaining a connection between both. Items in the garden therefore would be visually connected to the AZW, whereas the Giant Chess would be a playable representation of the battles - the use of strategy, defence/attack, etc. Have you seen the small bronze AZW-theme chess set on the Littlehand Limited site ? There are a few excellent pieces to give ideas. Isandlwana is my main interest in the AZW Campaign, and I liked the idea of pieces relating to that (for a standard-size chess game), such as, Durnford or Pulliene (main pieces?) Melvill and Coghill (knights), the King, which is what the game revolves around, would be a bell-tent, representing the camp. Pawns being 24th soldiers, etc. (just ideas though) Additionally, may I ask if you know what plants are most common in Zululand, which may be suited to the climate in the U.K. ? Look forward to hearing more about your idea(s). C.J.
Eshowe calling I note that you mention Durnford & Pulliene, these are not my favourite people as I do not accept the recognition they are afforded, however I am willing to digest other ideas, as for the scale, i am still undecided i really would like a very bold statement and my garden would support this, however vulgarity looms its ugly head and leaves me somewhat in a quandery. I am toying with the idea of two piece figures with the base section able to take some type of balast(plastic pieces of course). In regard to your enquiry on the indigenous flora, contrary to the statement in the film ZULU, everything here grows at an alarming rate and of course I would be willing to offer my limited knowledge on this area, I have a great multitude of friends with the proverbial green digit Regards Robbie
Are you working on the idea of Garden Chess as a structure or to be in use ? I've seen many scales, from about 2' reaching upwards to about 5', possibly higher. I'd really like the tallest chess pieces I could get (within reason) which would be a guarantee of making a statement. However, outwith cost, my garden is very open and more-or-less unprotected, so such a main feature I feel wouldn't be secure. I would very much have liked to own an enclosed courtyard garden, where I could relax a bit more, regarding security. C.J.
