The Regency Chess Company Annual Meeting was held in August in the historic city of Bath, England. Over the course of several days we discussed new product introductions, website enhancements, overall strategy and customer service.
During a break one day we took a tour of the ancient Roman Bath Spa in the center of the city. The fully restored and operational spa was complemented by an excellent museum of artifacts.
We have two very interesting sets that will soon be unveiled. The first is a highly detailed luxury pewter chess set with a most interesting and original theme. The second is classic Staunton Chess Set to the nth degree. Soon to be unveiled!
We have a number of exciting contemporary modern chess sets that will be added to our site shortly. The photos below of the Blue Metropolis Chess Set are just a sampling of what is about to appear on our site …
These distinctive pieces are sourced from Italfama of Florence in the Tuscany region of Italy.
More to follow …
And here it is – The Finnesburg Brass and Olive Chess Set. This elm burl wood board in olive colour is a striking background for the brass chess pieces.
The chess tournament will accommodate players at 3 levels – Championship, Intermediate & Beginner. Experienced tournament directors and organizers Serguei Ianine, Chris Field and Frank Dixon are running the event.
We will have many of our pieces, boards, clocks, sets and accessories on display. Let us know if you would like us to bring something specific to the event!
We are pleased to announce our sponsorship of the 2015 Ontario Open ChessChampionship hosted by The Brantford Chess Club. The event will be held at the Quality Inn & Suites 644 Colborne Street East, Brantford on the Victoria Day long weekend from May 16 to May18.
The hosts will also hold the 2015 Ontario Open Blitz Championship on Sunday, May 17 at 8:30 p.m. If you have never witnessed blitz, aka speed chess, lightning chess and 5 minute chess, I recommend that you check it out!
There will also be a lecture by the very knowledgeable and entertaining Grandmaster John Fedorowicz on Saturday, May 16 at 8:30 p.m. If you are in any way interested in tournament chess then this is an absolute must!
Searching for Bobby Fischer was a 1993 movie adaptation of the book written by the father of New York chess prodigy Joshua Waitzkin. It featured the popular actors Ben Kingsley, Lawrence Fishburn, Joe Mantegna and actress Joan Allen.
In the quest to nurture his son’s talent, father Waitzkin hires a strict old-school trainer who tries to instill in Joshua Bobby Fischer’s intense will to win. This method of instruction is in direct contrast to the lessons Josh learns in playing against chess hustler Vinnie (Lawrence Fishburn) in Washington Square Park.
Some of the movie was shot in Toronto, which brings me to my connection to the film. While playing during a large international chess tournament in Toronto I was recruited to audition as a film ‘extra’. My photo was taken and my contact information was written down. Several weeks later at another chess tournament I was once again approached to audition. I told them I had already applied, but they insisted on another application with another photo – so I obliged.
For some inexplicable reason I was denied my chance at stardom – both applications were rejected! If I had only applied once I wouldn’t have taken the rejection so harshly! At least I can be content that I didn’t suffer the fate of renowned Hungarian/American Grandmaster Pal Benko – he was included in a few scenes, but they all ended up on the cutting room floor!
DGT’s most advanced Chess Clock, the DGT3000, was introduced late in 2014. It is in full accordance with all FIDE (World Chess Federation) rules and regulations. It was used in the World Chess Championship match between victor Magnus Carlsen and challenger Viswanathan Anand of India.
The DGT3000 replaces the DGT XL and has many new features:
– seconds are shown from the start
– larger display with more information
– 25 pre-set timing systems
– 5 slots for customized settings
– 5 year warranty!
How long will it be before we see this game timer at a big chess tournament in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver?
Recently we sent one of our Old English Elite Ebony Chess Sets to Happy Valley/Goose Bay, Labrador. I had the pleasure of a an enjoyable conversation with a very nice lady. I must say, that with very few exceptions, the many Newfoundlanders I have met are very natural, fun, happy, family-oriented and pleasant people.
In the course of our conversation, I challenged the lady as to whether or not Happy Valley-Goose Bay was the happiest place in Canada! I based my argument on the fact that, just the week before, I had sent a Conqueror Chess Set with a Green Carry Bag to Paradise, Newfoundland. What place can be happier than Paradise?
The DGT North American was specifically designed with time options particular to market in the USA and Canada. DGT consulted with the United States Chess Federation in the development of this chess clock.
The clock uses 10 built-in algorithms which are combined to make a complete array of timing choices.The clock is not only useful for chess but Go, Scrabble, Shogi, Scrabble, etc. It is particularly popular with the Go community who appreciate the Byo-Lomi incremental time option.
On November 7 the World Chess Championship Match begins in Sochi, Russia. Five-time champion Viswanathan Anand of India looks to recapture the title he lost last year to Magnus Carlsen of Norway.
The 44 year old Anand is expected to present a stronger game than he did in last year’s match in Chennai, India. In March of this year Anand clinched the Candidates Tournament, against the world’s strongest players, with a round to spare. In September he finished first at the Bilbao Spain Grand Slam Final ahead of Levon Aronian of Armenia who at the time was ranked number 2 in the world behind Carlsen.
The players will once again be using the official F.I.D.E. (Federation International D’Echecs) World Championship Chess Set designed by Pentagram architect Daniel Weil. This attractive set incorporates features of the Parthenon of ancient Greece. It has been specifically designed for the very best chess players in the world.
In September another Canadian was crowned as World Champion at the 2014 World Youth Chess Championships in Durban, South Africa. Qiyu Zhou of Ottawa won the U-14 Girls title.
In 2010 Jason Cao of British Columbia became U-10 World Chess Champion in Halkidiki, Greece.
In 2013 Harmony Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ontario won the U-8 Girls title at the World Youth Chess Championships in El Alin, United Arab Emirates, She is also an accomplished pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall. I assume that she got to Carnegie Hall the same way as she did to the chess title … practice, practice, practice!
