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The Great Pawn Hunter
Chess Tutorial

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Call it crazy. But, as the song goes, "I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows." I believe a single drop of rain, no matter how small, sends a ripple! And, this my friends is that ripple. Haven't you ever wanted to see sponsorships come into the game of chess. All the great players in all the top sports have sponsorships. From Calloway Golf clubs to Addidas shoes for runners, the players wear and use the best. And you have to ask yourself a question....Why them and not chess players?

Well, the reason is that chess is not set up to be a sponsorship sport. In order to have sponsorships at the top level, individual players need to be seen using them, all the time. However, in chess, currently, the player with the black pieces chooses not only his set but also the player with the white piece's set. This does add a measure of fairness to the game. Which on the surface looks pleasing. But, look at what it is actually doing to the game. It is taking away advertising space! Many Grandmasters are not sought out by companies looking to push their merchandise. Money does not come into the game like it does for other professional sports, at the player level or even at the company level. Why? Because the players are not using their own brand of chess equipment all the time. Why would a company pay when a player only gets to choose his epuipment when he is playing black? and not even that in higher competitions.

What I propose is that the player with the black pieces choose the board to play on, but, each player plays his side of the board with his own "staunton styled 3 3/4 inch" pieces weather he is playing black or white. Individuality would be brought to those countless Sicilian games. This would allow top chess game companies such as "Excalibur", "House of Staunton" "Jacques", to seek out and sponsor top players and even advertise in a way the other professional sports do. People would ask, what chess set does "Anand", "Topalov" and ahmm "The Great Pawn Hunter" use in competition. Where can I get that set? Companies would be vying for players and the sponsorship amounts would increase because of demand. It would spur sales and also bring professional sponsorship to our royal game. You might say that my idea is crazy. However, you must admit....it has a ring of sanity to it...it might even work...Tell me, my friend, that it is worth a try.

Here's a thought for the children, Mickey Mouse versus Peanuts chess sets in competition. Talk about bringing character to the game. Even the young could celebrate their individualities and would be able to mix and match like the pros, and each game would have its own style and flavor. Of course, Mickey Mouse and Charlie Brown would be 3 3/4 inch standard.

Yes, a single drop sends a ripple and, I believe. I do believe.

Do you believe?


The Great Pawn Hunter