The concept was first conceived when we shared a flat together and would play chess in the evenings. The idea grew out of a conversation about whether we could replace the classic pieces with our favourite buildings. This led us to design and develop our first set, based on the skyline of our hometown, London.
King – One World Trade Tower
Queen – Empire State Building
Bishop – Chrysler Building
Knight – Flatiron Building
Rook – Guggenheim Museum
Pawn – Brownstone House
I’m a Londoner, and have to admit the New York City one is much more attractive.
New York’s skyline is a wonder of the world. London’s is black comedy: a gigantic sinister science fiction pyramid, a child’s drawing of an obelisk, and two dildos flanked by clown car wheels and refugee game pieces from Steampunk Monopoly.