Asia

Chinese "disc" sets for both International chess (our chess is so called) and Chinese chess ("XiangQi") are described at the Symbols and figurines page.

China. I don't know why this type of set is called "Burmese". To my knowledge are these sets made in China and not Burma (today's Myanmar). Actually it is more a decorative set as a set to play with, although the latter is well possible.

China. These 2 "Staunton" sets are recognizable by the knights which are typical Chinese. The big set has its original box, which is typical Chinese as well. The small set has a nice box of glass which is, of course, not original to the set. It isn't a chess box at all.

China. This travel set is "Staunton" too.

China. This set is a "Staunton inspired" set made of Nephrite/Jade.

China. That small "pocket travel game", made in China, was meant for the German market.

China. This modern compendium with chess set in "Staunton" style was a gift of my company in 2001. It is called "7-in-1 game set".

India. The 1st "Vizagapatam" set is actually a decorative set. I doubt if it really was meant for play. Unfortunately it misses 2 pawns and flags and has some damages as well. The 2nd "Vizagapatam" set was normally sold in a big Sedeli-work box acting as board and containing several (mostly 3) smaller boxes for the chess and the checkers/backgammon pieces. Shakers and dices could also be part of the game set. I do have only the chess pieces. Same could apply to the 3rd set, which is all ivory in stead of the more common ivory and horn ones.

India. This "Berhampore" set is actually also a more decorative set as a playing set. I do not think it is intended for actual play. These sets are called "Berhampore", because they are said to be made in Baharampur, formerly known as Berhampore (also sometimes spelt Behrampore), a city of Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India. It should not be confused with Brahmapur, city in Odisha, India.

India. The "Anglo-Indian Monobloc" set is meant for the English market and intended for actual play. It is called "Monobloc", because the chessmen are made of one piece of ivory. However in this set it is not true for the King's cross, the Knight and probably some other pieces. Not sure if that is an exception.

India. This "Delhi" set is a nice example of the kind, although it is not that big. Also for these sets can be said that they are more decorative than meant to play, I guess. But I'm  not 100% sure. The box it came in has a sideways sliding lid and is originally of a German set, I think.

India. These sets are generally referred to as "Muslim" or "Hindu". The story is that they are completely abstract because in Islam it is not allowed to use humans or animals for display or figures. However, it is unlikely that these sets, which come in many variations, are only made by Muslim craftsmen. It is not clear what Bishops and Knights are, and Indian people told me that it depends on the area in India. Sometimes the taller piece is used as Bishop and sometimes as Knight. The board of cloth is probably younger. These boards are not only used for chess but I don't know the other game(s). The set here does have a beautiful patina and is one of my favourite sets.

India. So called "Mughal" sets are made in wood, bone or stone (mostly) for the tourists in large quantities. But they have a nice form and decoration. Well suited for play as well. I'm not sure the 3rd set is a real Mughal set, because it has Staunton alike features. Stone sets, like the 4th set here, do reside in a cassette with stone board mostly.

India. The last set is a large modern "Staunton" set. I'm not 100% sure it is Indian, but the material and way of turning and cutting looks modern Indian to me. The bud rosewood is a loved material in Indian sets nowadays, and the wood has a nice colour and grain indeed. In this case are the pieces weighted which makes it a great set to play with. The box/board resides in a case to protect against damage.

India ~ replicas. Some years ago you could buy these replica sets from India for not too much money. Most of these sets are hard to get today and prices have gone up tremendously. These sets are very well made using good materials. Especially the wooden sets are made of first class wood. The bud rosewood is stunning! The classic patterns are all based on antique sets and not exactly Chinese copies. The "Old English" set is based on several examples, including my own "Old English" set. See Old English (England) page.

I have to say that  the "Pepys" set is actually more a decorative set and less meant for play.

Iraq. This board was brought from Iraq to the Netherlands by my father in law long ago. He worked there a long time for his company and got it from his Iraqi friends. It is a real old board, according to my father in law around 1900, but it may be a bit younger I think. But it has real mother of Pearl inlaid. Later boards, say after 1950, mostly have plastic looking like real mother of Pearl inlaid.

Israel. Yemenite filigree work, made of silver wire, one side natural with turquoise and the other gold plated with ruby gemstones from the dead see. Most pieces marked on the bottom "Made in Israel" and "925" (this means sterling silver), a few marked "Sterling" and a couple unmarked.
With operation "The Magic Carpet" during 1949-1950 the new state Israel rescued many Jews living in Yemen. Some were Jewelers and shortly after they settled in their new country they started to work their old trade. These sets were made during 1950ies-1960ies by only a few talented individuals. Not many sets were made, they were fairly expensive and sold mainly in high end tourists stores (such as "Mas-kit"). Because the extensive work, time and cost required it was not very profitable and the trade (and the people) died with time.

Israel. I cannot tell much about this nice olive wood set from Israel.

Mongolia. Three nice examples of Mongolian chess sets. Although figural, these sets are made for play indeed. The Mongolian play chess with some different rules. They also do have their own names for the pieces: Noyon (King), Bers (Queen), Teme (Bishop), Mori (Knight), Tereg (Rook) and Fu (Pawn).

Dating these sets is a bit problematic. At the internet they were described as about 100 years older, being 18th century. But I do have my doubts and dated the sets as I believe is more likely. Maybe the 1st set here is older.

I got rid of the two yak-wool boards because they were pretty affected by moth larvae. Unfortunately, other cloths in my house had been affected too. All in all I had severe damage which was not reimbursed by insurance (attack by moths is explicitly excluded!).

Myanmar. In Myanmar chess has its own rules and initial position. I'm not sure whether all pieces move like our chess. The figures here are the traditional figures used to play Burmese chess. It is a standard chess set. I do have several other sets listed in Myanmar at the "To look at" menu.

Myanmar. This cute glass chess set has been handmade in a small factory just outside Yangon (formerly Rangoon).

Philippines. This is a typical Philippine "Staunton" set, very recognizable by the elongated cross on the kings and the bulging bases. The older sets, as this one, are made of Narra and Kamagong, which are very rare timbers protected by the laws of the Philippines. Chess sets of these rare timbers have therefore not been produced for several decades. The newer sets are made of lesser quality wood. There exist also Indian replicas. There was a time you could see the old sets at eBay at regular basis, but nowadays they are seldom offered.

Philippines. The 2nd set is a nice example of a so called "Moro" set. The Moro chess set design is coming from the island of Mindanao by the Maranao tribe, part of the Muslim Moros - a name derived from the Spanish term for "Moors' - which are the largest non-Christian etnic groups in the Philippines with about 4 million members. With the characteristic very ornate knights are these sets easy recognizable. Every set has a different carved knight, but the okir carvings are very specific.

Vietnam. This is a horn "Régence" and a horn "Staunton" set, both very common sets from Vietnam.