Chess made of artificial oak "The Battle of Borodino" zinc figures with blackening

The Battle of Borodino

In the early morning of August 26, 1812, the battle began, which prepared and predetermined the defeat of Napoleonic France. 120 kilometers west of Moscow, near the village of Borodino, the French army of Napoleon I and the Russian army led by General M.I. Kutuzov met in a fierce battle. The forces of the parties were approximately equal: in the Russian army — about 132 thousand people, 624 guns, in the French army — about 135 thousand people, 587 guns. But if the entire French army consisted of regular soldiers, then the Russian army had about 21 thousand insufficiently trained and poorly armed militias and 7 thousand Cossacks.

In the Battle of Borodino, the French army suffered irreparable losses — over 58 thousand people, including 47 generals. Russian troops lost 44 thousand people, including 23 generals.

Napoleon did not achieve his goal of defeating the Russian army and failed to win the general battle. "Of all my battles, the most terrible is the one I gave near Moscow. The French showed themselves worthy of victory in it, and the Russians gained the right to be invincible," he wrote later.

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.