Just for general knowledge, the current World Chess Champion is Vishwanathan Anand and he has been at this position since last few years. But that doesn’t sum up the entire history of the game, does it? There is a rich heritage of each game and Chess is no different. It is a mind game but that doesn’t mean that it lacks passion and energy. In fact, the game lovers are so passionate about it that they have spent millions of dollars to buy some of the best Chess sets that were created decades before. These sets were special as their creators were some of the best renowned artists of that time. Now, it’s clear that you can’t afford these sets. But you should at least get a chance to discover about their history and what about hearing it from the owners themselves!

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We are talking about the new iOS app, ChessSetArt that has been developed by Prairie Media. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and requires iOS 5.0 or later version of the OS. The app has also been optimized for iPhone 5. The app is very unique and probably one of its kind in the entire App Store.

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The app actually consists of documentary films about 25 of the world’s best chess sets. The different sets are 1905 Faberge, Solvador Dali, Chinese Ivory, Man Ray, etc. These documentary films tell us about the history of these sets, how they were made and their journey through the time span. The persons who are part of the films are Susan Polgar, the world’s first female Grandmaster; Sarah Coffin, Curator of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum; Graham Beal, Director of the Detroit Institute of Arts; and the collectors themselves, Dr. George and Vivian Dean. This way you are watching the biographies of these sets and these experts are the voice.

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Other than the films, the app also consists of facts related to these sets, different views of these sets, related documents, etc. The entire feel of the app is luxurious. You feel like you belong to a Royale family and the chess sets feel so lively and real in front of you that you just don’t want to take your eyes off them. The bright materials they are made of shows off. It simply depicts why these sets are so costly and precious to their owners.

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The app is available for $17.99 in the App Store. But we don’t think that price is a matter of concern here. The app is not a game to be played but a journey through the different phases of time and the unchanged behavior of these priceless items. But you may not take it to be only for Royale game lovers or exhibitionists. It’s educational as well as a unique experience that you might not have anywhere else. Also, the price of the app is justified with the effort the developers have put to film these documentaries in such a beautiful way. We will definitely recommend this app to everyone.

Pros: 25 documentary films of world’s best chess sets; amazing quality of films; polished graphics; facts, documents related to chess.

Cons: high priced for a normal user.

Apps400 Rating :   *  *  *  *

Download the App Here