Mechanics Institute Chess Set

Recently I pulled out my Mechanics Institute set to show a fellow home for the summer from college. 

I decided to bring a couple other sets to show him and decided to not lug the big boards along.  I have a few vinyl boards of 2.375" and 2.5" square size that I trimmed the borders to make the size more manageable on a table.  So I brought these boards along.

Here are a couple of pictures of my set on a 2.5" Corian board that I posted earlier.  Notice how nice the pieces look on this size board.

The House of Staunton, the company that makes and sells the set, suggests a 2.375" board and I agree this set also works on this size.  I personally like it on the 2.5" square, but to each his own.

I have a request of Lou Balch and some questions for him and all others.

First, Lou would you please post your spreadsheet graphic or graphics of this set with all the sizes and percentages?

What size board do you like to play with this set on, everyone?

I love this set!

I don't understand. Is it a design named in honor of the Mechanics' Institute, or has it been designed by the Institute?

btw: I like the brickwork on the rooks!

Ron, the MI set is scaled such that it works on both a 2.5" and a 2.375" chess board. Since the set is rather stout, I usually match it with a 2.5" board, though a 2.375" will do in a pinch. Here are the dimension tables for both 2.5" and 2.375" boards. Both have a deviation factor (DF) under 6. [The DF is a measurement of how close a set is to my ideal dimensions. The lower the number the better.] Both are low, but lower on the 2.5" board.

The set was designed and turned by a member of the Mechanics Institute chess club of San Francisco for a 32-board simultaneous exhibition by future world champion, Jose Raul Capablanca, in 1916. I'm not sure how many sets were originally made. After the event, the sets became house sets for the club. Because they were so ruggedly made, some of the sets were still in use 50 years after the event. When the  last remaining set was finally retired in the 1970's, it was put on display, or so the story goes. House of Staunton made arrangements with the club to manufacture a reproduction of the set, with a portion of each sale going to the club.

Check out the HoS webpage for details:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-mechanics-institute-commemorative-chess-pieces-4-25-king.html

Lou, could you post pictures of your set (with the improved, eyed Knights :) ) on a board or two?

When I get some free time on Thursday I plan on posting some myself.

Is there any original pictures of this set?

Capablanca and A.J. Fink at the Mechanics Institute 1916. Mr. Fink, the California state chess champion, was one of three people who managed to draw Capablanca in the simultaneous exhibition. Capablanca, 27 at the time and 5 years away from the world title, won 29 games, lost none, and drew 3.

One of my favorite sets, here on my 2.5" R.C. MacMIllan Memorial Board.

And on a 2.375" House of Staunton Traditional Superior Jaques knockoff board...

And again...

Following up on Lou's historical notes, here is the account of Capablanca's visit to the Mechanics' Institute from its website...

"Capablanca At The Golden Gate By E.J. Clarke When Jose R. Capablanca stepped off the Shasta Limited at Oakland on Monday evening, April 10, and boarded the ferry for the city by the Golden Gate, he made history personally, as it was his first visit to the Golden Gate. It may have been a matter of clairvoyant knowledge that he was soon to make chess history in San Francisco, but of course, that was hidden from the sight of the normal-visioned committee of chess players from the Mechanics'Institute who met the world famous Cuban and escorted him across the bay and to his hotel in San Francisco. The following evening the youthful master made his bow at the Institute, when he faced thirty-two opponents, among whom were the best players of the bay cities (and, of course, some who just moved the pieces around with their hands). When Capablanca vanquished his final opponent shortly after midnight, the score stood: Capablanca, won 29, drawn 3. Messrs. Hallwegen, Chilton and Fink were the three who saved the Institute from a whitewash. Chilton, perhaps, had a win, but he thought any old thing would do. It didn't and the Cuban got away with a draw.

"Wednesday afternoon Capablanca and Dr. Lovegrove sat down to an exhibition game, the latter offered his favorite Ruy Lopez, with which he defeated World Champion Lasker several years ago. But he skill of the Pan-American champion was too much for the local expert, and the latter resigned after forty-eight moves. In the evening Capablanca showed his skill at ten-second chess, playing two games apiece with the following and winning every game: Messrs. Stamer, Fink, W.Smith, De Long, Professor Ryder, Hallwegen and Gruer. Thus he played fourteen games in forty-five minutes, an average of about game in three minutes, not counting delay in putting in a fresh opponent. This was probably Capablanca's most impressive exhibition, and providing the liveliest entertainment for the spectators. It was a matter of observation that the master never faltered, never was at a loss for a plausible continuation, and never, so far as could be noticed, made a move solely because of call of time. His play apparently was the result of a plan and possessed coherence and objectivity. Neither were the Institute players on wholly unfamiliar ground, as the lightening game is quite a favorite here. A.B. Stamer defeated Marshall at five-second chess on the occasion of his last visit to the coast.

"At the conclusion of play the international master played against two teams in consultation at thirty moves an hour. Thus, Capablanca in reality made his moves at the rate of sixty moves an hour. At board No.1, E.J. Clarke, A.J. Fink and Bernardo Smith had charge of the White pieces, assisted by Dr. Haber, Judge De Long, W. Smith and others. Capablanca defended with the French and turned it into a McCutcheon. The allies resigned on their thirty-eighth move. At Board No. 2, the master was pitted against Club Champion E.W. Gruer, B. Forsberg, the young Finnish expert, recently from the Czar's domain, where he was secretary of the Abo Chess Club, Professor A.W. Ryder, a former Harvard University star, now at the University of California, and several other lesser stars also threw the weight of their advice in the White side of the balance, all, however, to no purpose, as Capablanca forced their surrender in thirty seven moves of a Queen's Pawn opening.

"That concluded Capablanca's engagement in San Francisco. Thus he played all told, 49 games, winning 46, while 3 were drawn. Except for the charm of Capablanca's personality, his entire lack of the "swelled head," and his gentlemanly, courteous bearing, it would have been a far more bitter pill for the Institute players to swallow. During the history of the Mechanics' Institute it has entertained Zukertort, Lasker, Pillsbury, Marshall and several lesser lights of the chess world, but never before has a master been able to get away without the loss of several games during blindfold, simultaneous exhibitions or rapid chess. American Chess Bulletin, May-June 1916"

Thank you dear friend,

For sharing with us a always very interesting little part of "chess history"

You are very welcome, Herve.

Thanks for the pictures and history, cgrau.

That set looks really nice on both boards.  I am partial to the green color board.

Chuck,

Thanks for the pics, and for the detailed account of Cappy's trip to the MI Chess Club. Very interesting.

Confirms my belief that Capablanca may have been at, or near, his zenith as a chess player in 1916. Too bad it was right in the middle of World War 1. I think he would have beaten Lasker had their match been played in 1916-17.

I purchased a Golden Rosewood Mechanics Set from HOS years ago and the kings came with 3 different finials.  Does anyone know if they still have that option?

for me this set has the most correct design for the Rook ...looks like a real tower...

It would be nice to have the board and set both made of Corian.  I believe there have been some made!

Even after reading all the reviews and critiques, I have to be honest, "This set really does it for me!"

I had the pleasure of playing a game with these pieces before I even knew what they were. I was immediately taken by the strategic craftsmanship (the carving of one side on the Knights, the brickwork on the Rooks, the way they fill the squares with substantial bases, etc.). Even with other "traditionally-beautiful" sets sitting right next to them, the Mechanics' pieces demand attention. The interaction with them is equally striking; the shape is most fitting to an adult hand and the weight of movement is truly remarkable, certainly without equal.

There seems to be some concern here as to the geometric accuracy of these historic pieces. As an owner of the "Commemorative Series" set (in ebony and boxwood), I too was on a search for more visual information (more than the Capablanca photo in this thread) when I ran across this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOL0Lm-evOo

It appears the pieces (particularly the bishop and knight styles) were mixed at some point, with designs resembling the "Persinger Series" pieces. See screenshots below.

It looks like the Institute retained the original tables from this era but nowadays the house sets are not in the "Mechanics" design. I would LOVE to hear from someone (perhaps a member of the Institute) who can explain the history behind why the sets were mixed and how the Institute got away from using the general design as their "Club Set". Something beyond the words given on the Hose of Staunton website.

Now, for the photos.

First, the complete "Commemorative Series", in the Institute. The resemblance seems obvious (Rooks with rounded turrets, Bishops with tall mitres and Knights with rimmed bases):

Next, some pieces that resemble the "Persinger Series", in the Institute. Notice the short mitres and square turrets:

Finally, a mixed set including tall and short mitres for Black along with rimless bases on the Knights (looks like the square turrets don't age well in the club):

I welcome all feedback.

Respectfully,

MINDFIGHT001