Lardy - Chess set - Lardy - Boxwood wood, Palisander

Genuine Lardy Chess

The Lardy style is one of the most emblematic and recognizable variants of traditional chess design. Originating in France, specifically from the Lardy company based in Dortan (a region famous for its woodcraft), this style became the gold standard for European chess clubs for much of the 20th century.

Historical Value: Many players associate the Lardy design with classic chess games from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Owning an authentic Lardy is, for many collectors, possessing a piece of European chess history.

The Lardy Knight (the distinctive mark): It is the most recognizable element. Unlike modern knights (which usually have fine details and deep carvings), the Lardy knight is a bit more “rigid” and schematic. It features a well-defined jaw, simple eyes, and a single mane. It has a stoic, solid appearance, with lines that denote high-quality serial manufacture.

Robustness and Proportion: The pieces have a wide base and a low center of gravity, making them very stable on the board. The “body” of the pieces is generally thicker and more solid than that of a modern competition Staunton set.

Made from boxwood for the light pieces and dark-stained wood or ebony for the dark pieces. They have a satisfying weight in the hand. They are designed to be moved constantly, clacking firmly onto the wooden board.

The board is folding, with dimensions of 30 cm x 30 cm when open, with green felt on its reverse. The pieces measure 7 cm for the King and 3 cm for the pawn, also with felt on their bases.

The whole set is in EXCELLENT CONDITION, despite the passage of time, making it a true collectible item.

It will be shipped in proper packaging to protect it during transit, with a tracking number.