A Stylish Battle Between Good And Evil Fought On The Chessboard

A battle of wits has never looked this good (or evil). Though the King’s Game has had many variants, and made its way into all nooks of popular culture, its predilection for pitting light and dark sides against one another has remained a central theme.

Romanian designer Lucian Popescu has upped the light-dark ante by pursuing it to its metaphorical ends. Dubbed the Pandov Chess Set, the chessboard presents an elegant showdown between good and evil.

Long fought on the playgrounds of literature, Death Stars, and the human soul, the eternal plight between opposing forces can now be pondered over a cup of tea. And can be 3D printed from the comfort of your own home so you can wage war with your friends. Or, as has been popular in chess, against a mechanical companion.

Available on Shapeways, the Pandov Chess Set is designed as a symbolic extension of its concept. Each piece was created to be sturdy enough to survive the 3D printing process but with a careful attention to using as little material as possible. This produces an airy quality to the set that ties into its transcendent backstory.

The white pieces are flame-shaped with their tops pointing toward the heavens.

The black pieces are top-heavy as they look to be sinking into the underworld.

The question is: Which side will you be on?