A faithful reproduction of the iconic 1959 Zagreb tournament chessmen, this complete luxury chess set combines distinctive Russian-crafted pieces with our substantial 50 cm Deluxe Mahogany Spanish chessboard and Deluxe solid mahogany hinged-top storage box. Beautifully weighted, felted and supplied with additional queens, it is a wonderfully balanced set for serious play, collecting and display.
Set Features
The 1959 Zagreb Tournament Chessmen
The Zagreb chessmen are one of the most distinctive tournament designs to emerge from the great era of mid-20th-century competitive chess. Closely associated with the 1959 Zagreb tournament, the pattern combines unmistakable character with the clarity and practicality required for serious play.
This faithful reproduction preserves the elegant proportions and smooth, rounded contours that give the Zagreb design its unique appearance. Rather than relying on excessive decoration, the beauty of these chessmen comes from their strong silhouettes, flowing profiles and careful balance between form and function.
The result is a chess set with genuine historical personality. It is immediately recognisable to enthusiasts of classic tournament chess, yet its restrained styling means it remains equally attractive in a contemporary home or dedicated chess room.
A Distinctive 100 mm Tournament King
Standing at an impressive 100 mm, the king gives the set a substantial presence on the board. Its height and proportions establish the confident tournament character of the entire design without making the chessmen feel oversized or cumbersome during play.
Throughout the set, the profiles have been designed with smooth transitions and rounded contours. There are no unnecessarily harsh or sharp edges, creating chessmen that are extremely pleasant to pick up and move during a game.
This tactile quality is particularly important in a set intended to be played with regularly. The pieces feel substantial and reassuring in the hand while retaining the elegance for which the Zagreb pattern is admired.
The Iconic Zagreb Knight
Perhaps no piece defines the Zagreb pattern more clearly than its knight. Its distinctive profile gives the set much of its individual character and makes it immediately distinguishable from a conventional Staunton design.
The knight has a confident yet refined appearance, combining a strong profile with the softer, rounded modelling found throughout the remainder of the chessmen. It provides an attractive visual focal point without becoming overly elaborate or distracting during play.
For collectors of historic tournament patterns, it is this individuality that has helped the Zagreb design remain so appealing many decades after the tournament with which it became associated.
Weighted and Felted for Serious Play
Each chess piece is beautifully weighted to provide increased stability and a satisfying sense of substance when handled. The additional weight keeps the chessmen securely planted on the board and gives the set the reassuring playing feel expected from quality tournament chess pieces.
The bases are finished with protective felt, allowing the pieces to glide smoothly across the chessboard while helping to protect the playing surface from unnecessary wear.
Two additional queens are also supplied. Should a pawn reach the opposite side of the board, both players therefore have a proper second queen available for promotion rather than having to substitute another piece.
50 cm Deluxe Mahogany Spanish Chessboard
The Zagreb chessmen are paired with our substantial 50 cm Deluxe Mahogany Spanish chessboard. Featuring generous 50 mm playing squares, the board has been selected specifically to provide a well-balanced playing surface for the 100 mm tournament-sized chessmen.
The proportions allow sufficient space around each piece, keeping the position clear and uncluttered even when the centre of the board becomes crowded. This makes the combination equally comfortable for casual games, serious study and longer competitive-style play.
The rich mahogany appearance also provides a wonderfully traditional setting for the Zagreb design. Its warm tones complement the historical character of the chessmen and give the complete set a substantial, established appearance.
Deluxe Solid Mahogany Hinged-Top Chess Box
Completing the set is our Deluxe solid mahogany hinged-top chess box, providing a suitably refined storage solution for the chessmen when they are not in play.
The use of solid mahogany gives the box both substance and visual warmth, while the traditional hinged-top construction allows convenient access to the complete set of chessmen.
Its mahogany finish also works beautifully alongside the accompanying chessboard, ensuring that the storage box feels like an integral part of the complete set rather than simply an added accessory.
A Classic Tournament Design for Players and Collectors
The enduring appeal of the Zagreb design lies in its ability to combine individuality with genuine playability. It has sufficient personality to interest a collector, yet its proportions and clearly recognisable silhouettes make it equally suitable for regular chess.
The rounded forms feel particularly comfortable during play, while the weighted construction gives every move a satisfying sense of purpose. Paired with the generously proportioned 50 cm board, the pieces have ample room and remain visually clear throughout the game.
It is a combination that works just as well as a permanent home chess set as it does as a centrepiece for a collection of classic tournament designs.
A Complete Official Staunton Zagreb Chess Set
With its distinctive 100 mm Russian-crafted Zagreb chessmen, weighted and felted bases, two additional queens, 50 cm Deluxe Mahogany Spanish chessboard and solid mahogany hinged-top storage box, this is a genuinely complete premium chess set.
Each element has been matched carefully so that the board and chessmen remain properly proportioned. The 50 mm squares provide generous playing space around the pieces while retaining the strong visual presence expected from a substantial tournament-sized set.
For players who appreciate the atmosphere and history of classic tournament chess, or collectors looking for one of the most recognisable chess designs of the 20th century, the 1959 Zagreb Tournament Chess Set is a distinctive addition to the Official Staunton collection.