Design moves through the centuries catalogued in sale of chess sets

CHRISTIE'S first sale devoted to chess sets has been timed to coincide with the World Chess Championship in London, writes Dalya Alberge. On 21 September, it will offer more than 100 sets that trace the development of the game since the 18th century.

The sets include the above pieces, all kings. They are (from right): an early 19th century Rajasthan example in which ivory chessmen are modelled as the Maharajah of Jaipur versus British troops, valued at pounds 10,000- pounds 12,000; an intricately carved ivory set from the British makers Hastilow ( pounds 400- pounds 600); an Imperial Russian boxwood and ivory set ( pounds 2,000- pounds 3,000); an early example of the now-standard Staunton set ( pounds 500- pounds 2,000); and a novelty set featuring suffragettes and police ( pounds 100- pounds 150).

(Photograph omitted)