Chess is one of the great classic games. Here you will learn how to make a chess set for just pennies!

You can print the playing board on paper, using your computer printer. If your printer can handle it, print the board on Bristol board, or some other card-like paper for more rigidity. Alternatively, you could use rubber cement or tape to stick the paper board to a stiffer material.

The chess men are also printed on paper. They are then cut out with scissors and adhered to pennies using "double sticky back" tape, or glue. The pennies are easier to pick up and move than is paper alone.

A link to game rules is included in the last step of this instructable.

I got into this project to help introduce the game to people locally. With luck, we will get a chess club going someday.

Step 1: The Chess Board

It is difficult to transfer large .jpg files through Instructables.

To print out the full size file for the CHESS BOARD, you will have to go to the link below. When it opens, you will see the image of the chess board along with a magnifying glass cursor. Left click with the magnifying glass to expand the image.

On the expanded image, right click to open a menu and select "Save Image As ..." Save the image to a location on your computer where you can retrieve it later and print it out. The dimensions should be 1500 X 2000 pixels and the file size should be 192 KB.

http://www.angelfire.com/in2/manythings/CHESS/CHESS_BOARD_--_FULL_SIZE.JPG

Step 2: The Chess Men

To print out the full size file for the CHESS MEN, you will have to go to the link below. When it opens, you will see the image of multiple rows of chess men along with a magnifying glass cursor. Left click with the magnifying glass to expand the image.

On the expanded image, right click to open a menu and select "Save Image As ..." Save the image to a location on your computer where you can retrieve it later and print it out. The dimensions should be 1500 X 2000 pixels and the file size should be 576 KB.

I give you three sets of chess pieces, instead of one. If you ever need to repair a piece, you will have back-up pieces already printed. You could also make a couple extra chess sets and give them to your friends to turn them on to this great game.

http://www.angelfire.com/in2/manythings/CHESS/PIECES_--_FULL_SIZE.JPG

Step 3: Making the Penny Chess Men

You need 32 pennies. Cut the chess pieces as squares from the print-out. After adhering them to the pennies, you will trim the corners, making octagons.

The tape comes in different widths. Of the two available where I live, the narrow tape is best for this job. A square cut from the tape fits on top of the penny.

Cut a square piece of tape and stick it to the penny. With tweezers, remove the paper backing on the tape. Again with tweezers, hold the printed paper chess man and position it over the tape. Press down with your finger to stick the paper to the tape. Repeat with all the other pieces.

Trim the corners of the paper that overhang the penny to make octagons. They are close enough to round to do the job.

I store my chess pieces in a zip-lock bag.

If the board is printed, or mounted on heavier material, you might punch holes in it and carry it in a 3-ring binder; handy for students to carry at school.

Step 4: Chess Rules

This is the way the chess men are set up to begin a game.

You can download the game rules at the following site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_chess