The Library Collection - The Zukertort Series Luxury Chess Pieces - 2.875" King

Offered here is a reproduction of the Jaques Zukertort Style Staunton Chessmen, created by noted Staunton authority, Frank Camaratta. It is an exact rendition of the Zukertort Style Staunton Chessmen as they appeared in 1875. An image comparing the original with our reproduction is shown here. The original Jaques Zukertort chessmen are shown on the bottom of the image.

This is a weighted tournament-size set featuring a 2-7/8″ King with a 1-3/8″ diameter base. Each of the chess pieces rests atop green English baize base pads. These ReproductionZukertort Style chessmen are accurate – right down to the impression of a red king’s crown on the summits of one Knight and Rook from each army to designate the Kingside piece. The set being offered is crafted from antiqued Boxwood and pure Gabon Ebony.

The Chessmen are new. Each set consists of 34 Chessmen, including four Queens to facilitate Pawn Promotion, now a standard that was introduced by Mr. Camaratta over 20 years ago. Note the masterful workmanship of the Knights, which are derived from the noble steeds whose visages are captured in the Parthenon frieze (expropriated between 1801 and 1812 by Thomas Bruce, 7th Lord of Elgin and since referred to as the Elgin Marbles). This distinctive, finely detailed Knight head is the hallmark of a true Staunton design.

These impressive Chess pieces are turned and hand-carved by our master artisans and crafted out of the highest grade woods. The design of these 1875 Zukertort Chess pieces exemplify a perfect combination of distinct beauty and functionality. They have been designed to withstand the rigors of practical play while maintaining an elegance which has become the hallmark of all Frank Camaratta creations. The chessmen are accompanied by a correct Facsimilegreen Manufacturer’s label from the Camaratta Codex of Jaques Staunton Chessmen Labels. A premium Mahogany storage box and suitable chessboard are available.

The design, accuracy, quality and craftsmanship is UNMATCHED by any set of Chessmen at any price.  Nothing even comes close! Here’s your chance to own a set of Library-sized Reproduction Zukertort Style Staunton chessmen exactly as they looked when they first appeared in retail outlets in 1875. These magnificent Chessmen are made available on a very limited basis. These chess pieces play and display best on a chessboard with 1-7/8″ or 2-0″ squares.

About Johannes Zukertort

Johannes Hermann Zukertort (Jan Hermann Cukiertort) was born on 7 September 1842. He died on 20 June 1888. Zukertort was a German-Polish Grandmaster. He was one of the World’s top players. Zukertort filled his relatively short life with a wide range of other achievements as a soldier, musician, linguist, journalist and political activist.

Zukertort learned to play chess in Breslau when he was 19. He studied with Adolf Anderssen. Zukertort developed into one of the most successful tournament players of his time. He was also an outstanding match player. Due to the lack of top-level tournaments, Zukertort’ s best performances were mostly in match play, notably against Anderssen in 1871 and Joseph Henry Blackburne in 1881.

In 1872, he played Wilhelm Steinitz in London, losing 9–3. Poor health and lack of physical stamina appeared to be one of Zukertort’s long-term weaknesses. Some commentators attributed illness to the severity of his defeat in the 1872 match against Steinitz. Although Zukertort lost both his matches against Steinitz, he proved to be one the World’s leading players throughout the late 1870s and early 1880s. In the 1883 London tournament, he won 22 of his first 23 games. That was enough to give him an insurmountable lead. Unfortunately, his lack of stamina and poor health cost him his last three games. This weakness was to haunt him again in his quest for the World title. The 1886 World Chess Championship match lasted from 11 January to 29 March 1886. After building up a 4–1 lead Zukertort wilted, lost four of the last five games and lost the match by 12½–7½.

After this defeat, Zukertort’s health suffered and he was a greatly weakened player for the remaining two years of his life. Diagnoses of his ailments include rheumatism, coronary heart disease, kidney problems, and arteriosclerosis. His results after the 1886 match declined steeply. Zukertort died 20 June 1888, in London from a cerebral hemorrhage after playing a game in a tournament Simpson’s Divan, which he was leading at the time. He is buried in Brompton Cemetery in London.