Anyone that has ever dabbled in the noble art of chess doesn't really need me to describe the pleasures of the great game. As for anyone that has never experienced the wonders of chess - then you truly do not know what you have been missing.

I took up chess as a youngster - I must have been about seven or eight at the time. I played in school championships, local inter-school competitions, jamborees, and also represented my county at a junior level. Since then I have always had a chess board in the house, and although I don't play very often these days, it is still something I enjoy immensely whenever I have the opportunity to pit my wits against a worthy opponent.

Anyway, after that brief history of my involvement with the game, on with the review in hand...

[Please Note: Although this product has been placed in the 'Electronics' section, it is made solely from glass and has no electronic parts.]

I purchased this particular item as a 30th birthday present for a friend on behalf of a group of us who had clubbed together to stump up the asking price. Although the £100 price tag appears to be quite high, this chess set really is really quite good value. To start with, as well as the stylish glass board, thirty-two chess pieces that double as drinking glasses are also included. In fact, the biggest expense of this chess set is not the initial outlay to buy it, but refilling the shot glasses for each game.

Apparently the set is inspired by a film called 'Our Man In Havana' that was made in the 1960s. I have never seen this film, and so I am unable to vouch for the authenticity of this set compared to the one that was used in the film. However, playing this game for real with alcoholic spirits in each glass is an unforgettable experience, although it is true to say that my memory is still a little hazy from the time that I played! I was given the privilege of 'christening' the set along with t
he eager recipient of the present, and I duly went on to win the inaugural game. Quite how I managed this in such an inebriated state is highly questionable, but I can assure all readers that underhand tactics were not required. However, in order to keep a clear head, it may be worth trying to water down whatever you pour into your opponent's pieces!

Basically, the game is played like a normal game of chess. However, as all the pieces are shot glasses, so you should fill them with a suitable spirit (we used Southern Comfort.) The clever part is that the game comes with its own in-built handicapping system, as whenever you take an opponent's piece you must drink the contents. This is fine at first, but as the game goes on it becomes more and more difficult to keep your concentration as the liquor eats away at your grey matter.

The additional rules (to 'standard' chess rules) are as follows:

• Choose your favourite tipple and pour it into your opponent's 16 glasses.

• Begin the game of chess as normal.

• Whenever you capture an opponent's piece you must drink the contents.

• Illegal moves are allowed as long as neither player notices.

• Finally, the losing player must drink the contents of own king once the game is over.

I'm sure you'll agree that even if you don't particularly like chess, or have never tried it, this version of the game does sound intriguing - and playing it for real is ten times better!

If you're stuggling to buy a present for someone that has everything, then you could do a lot worse than

[This set is available from firebox.com (which is where I bought it) although I have also seen it for sale from a couple of other retailers and web sites.]

(Another original Dooyoo opinion
© Blackjane 2001}