Circa 1930s "Leningrad Schoolboy" Soviet Chess Pieces in Ebonized & Boxwood - 4.2 inch King

The 1937 Leningrad Schoolboy Chess Set is a significant piece of Soviet chess history, embodying the USSR's strong cultural emphasis on chess as both a sport and an intellectual pursuit. The set was designed and produced during a time when chess was deeply integrated into Soviet society, serving not just as a pastime but as a reflection of Soviet ideals of discipline, strategy, and intellect.

Origin and Design

The chess set emerged from the vibrant chess culture of Leningrad (modern-day St. Petersburg), one of the USSR's major hubs for chess education and innovation. Its creation was aligned with the Soviet government's initiatives to promote chess in schools, youth clubs, and workers' unions as a way of fostering critical thinking and strategic skills among its citizens.

The design of the set is functional and minimalist, reflecting the utilitarian ethos of the Soviet Union at the time. The pieces were crafted with simplicity in mind, using durable and widely available materials such as wood. The shapes of the pieces are distinct yet unadorned, ensuring they were accessible to schoolchildren and amateur players while remaining suitable for serious play.

"Some Russian collectors refer to the design as the “Leningrad Schoolboy” set as it is found in photographs of Leningrad schoolboys playing with them. Here is one such photo from the St. Petersburg Archives provided by Sergey." - extract from sovietchesssets.com

Image ref: sovietchesssets.com (All rights reserved to the owner of the picture)

References:

1. STAUNTON CHESS SETS VINTAGE & NEW Facebook Group post by Chess Collector & researcher on Soviet Chess Sets; Mr. Chuck Grau
2. www.sovietchesssets.com
3.https://escholarship.org/content/qt0s71f0cw/qt0s71f0cw_noSplash_22625b826d6aad8c2769f6e3e401dac6.pdf

Box Content: 34 chessmen (including 2 extra queens)