So, that Staunton chess set I won from the House of Staunton through the ICC has arrived, and I’m quite pleased. 
First of all, it came very well packed. These pics really don’t do it justice, but you get the idea.
And here they are lined up for battle on a well-worn field.
(By the way, that’s Dangerous Weapons: 1.e4 e5 by John Emms, Glenn Flear, and Andrew Greet peeking out there.)
Jacob Aagaard – Soren Bech Hansen, Copenhagen 1994
And now they’re really going at it! The Attacking Manual Volume 1, by Jacob Aaagard, the winner of the above and one of my favorite chess authors, providing the marching orders.
The verdict? While I’m used to playing with a slightly larger set, these feel great. So, put away the database for a while, crack open a book, and push some real wood around again.
What a concept! 
Tags: House of Staunton, pieces, wood chess set
Congratulations, Erin – and what a beautiful prize
Plus, it is time you had some good luck (I know it was expertise/knowledge, but . . . ) coming your way. Things are looking up! Hugz.
It never amazes me how gratifying it is to play on a god chessboard and I prefer standard chess pieces, I have seen many variants but the standard are better to play with.
God luck to you and I hope you will have many hours of fun.