Customer Reviews

Turned Chessmen: For Collectors, Players and Woodworkers (Mike Darlow's Woodturning series)

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Professional Woodturner Mike Darlow is a self-publisher in rural Australia who describes himself as "a poor and only occasional chess player". Nevertheless, he has found a personal passion and rich outlet for self-expression in turning and designing chessmen. His objective in writing Turned Chessmen was to promote an understanding of the design of chessmen, both to give more pleasure when players use them, to make players more discerning when they buy them, and to encourage new designs which can be played with.

In my opinion as a chess player and modest collector of sets, Mr. Darlow has succeeded magnificently in achieving his objectives. Turned Chessmen is a combination of history, anecdotal detail, aesthetic and philosophical guide, and a thoroughly - documented how-to-do-it manual.

The book is extensively illustrated - - containing more than 260 photographs, diagrams and drawings. Its opening chapter is a 56 - page recounting of the History of Chessmen, with more than 60 images of chessmen spanning more than a 1000 years from an Ivory King circa. 8th - 10th century up to several 20th century examples. Perhaps the most significant "find" is the extremely rare set of "Improved Geometrical and Universal Chess-Men" designed in 1864 by the American architect Frederick S. Copley, which became the inspiration for several wallet-sized flat-folding portable sets.

The next successive chapters are
* a Gallery showing sets recently made by six
contemporary woodturners (including Darlow himself);
* a 15-page compendium containing 35 illustrations of
piece symbols;
* a 30-page discussion of the essential considerations
and elements involved in designing chess sets;
* a collection of drawings for 10 different styles of
chess sets, available for copying or inspiration;
* a 35-page manual for making chessmen, illustrated with
94 photographs of actual tool-work on the lathe; and
* a brief concluding chapter on crafting boards, boxes
and tables.

Finally, Mr. Darlow has assembled an extensive bibliography of books on chessmen and on the history of chess.
In short, Turned Chessman is an enjoyable read and a highly valuable resource of anyone who has any interest at all in chessmen as a form of participatory sculpture.

A really outstanding book for anyone interested in chess sets - history and collecting as well as making your own modern sets. Also, woodturners/woodworkers would be very interested in this book written by an accomplished woodworker who has published in this field before. The writing is high quality as are the illustrations and photos.

If you like chess sets, if you like wood turning, you may not miss this book

There is nothing more that I could add to the previous reviews. Several chess experts have seen this book and had high praise for the contents. Great for anyone interested in chess. Even if not a woodturner.