Chess made of oak "Ice Battle" with blackened zinc alloy pieces

At dawn on April 5, 1242, the knights of the Livonian Order formed a "pig" on the ice of Lake Peipsi. In chain mail and helmets, with long swords, they seemed invulnerable. To meet them, Alexander Nevsky lined up the Novgorod army with its rear to the steep, steep eastern shore of the lake. The chosen position was advantageous because the Germans advancing on the open ice were unable to determine the location, strength and composition of the Russian army.

Putting up long spears, the Germans attacked the center, however, having stumbled upon the steep shore of the lake, the sedentary, armored knights could not develop their success. On the contrary, the knights' cavalry crowded together as the rear ranks of the knights pushed the front ranks who had nowhere to turn for battle. The flanks of the Russian order of battle did not allow the Germans to develop the success of the operation. The German "wedge" was caught in a pincer. At this time, Alexander's squad struck from the rear and completed the encirclement of the enemy…

Some knights managed to escape from the encirclement, and they tried to run in their heavy armor across the ice of the lake. The Novgorodians pursued the remnants of the knight's army, which had fled in disorder, all the way to the opposite shore, seven versts.

The "Ice Battle" was the first time in the history of military art when heavy cavalry cavalry was defeated in a field battle by an army consisting mostly of infantry. The Russian order of battle turned out to be more flexible, as a result of which it was possible to encircle the enemy, whose order of battle was a sedentary mass.

Ice Battle chess is an ideal gift for anyone whose main job is to interact with other people - this is where flexibility in approaches and easy maneuverability are important.

The set is delivered on an exclusive board made of solid black oak. The oak is black to the full depth, so small scratches and scuffs do not become annoying (due to their contrast) moments, but add individuality and self-identity to the board. The external dimensions of the board are 47x47 cm, but the playing field itself is much smaller - the cell is 42x42 mm, and the field, respectively, is 336x336 mm. Despite its relatively modest size, the field allows you to freely arrange the pieces and easily rearrange them during the game. It is typed from alternately arranged squares of American walnut and maple veneer. The edge of the board is decorated with thematic carvings of battle scenes, which nevertheless allows you to put figures removed from the field on it.

The figures are cast from a zinc alloy, which guarantees them from the traditional settling of tin miniatures with increasing temperature. Each figure is a soldier, the small details and ammunition of which are favorably emphasized by blackening or painting the color "gold". The cylindrical base of the figures is made of hardwood (beech, oak or ash), which reliably protects the playing field from mechanical damage.

Inside the board there are drawers that slide out in opposite directions, which can be completely removed from the case. Inside each box there is a soft bed draped with velvet, which securely holds the figures during transportation.

The kit is delivered in a shipping cardboard box.