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Igniting a Passion for Chess
***What you see is a concept prototype, not a finished product. Should it be brought to retail market? We need your vote of support if you think so.***
Here’s the Story
The idea started because I wanted to inspire my kids ages 5 through 10 to play chess. You see, I fell in love with chess when I was a kid and I’m so thankful I did. I wanted that same thing for my kids but I knew it wouldn’t be easy given the myriad of distractions competing for their attention and let's face it, on the surface chess can appear somewhat stuffy, boring and just plain uncool. It’s not something most kids are going out of their way with excitement to learn. I knew there had to be a way to make the perception more appealing to my kids.
When I thought back to why I fell in love with chess as a kid I realized my initial interest was in the brightly colored figures of my dad’s medieval themed chess set. It was the figures of archers holding bows and arrows stretched all the way back into launch position; the knights on top of galloping war horses with flowing skirts ready to joust; the swordsman and bishops, queens in gowns and crowns, kings in suits of armor and rooks that looked like castle towers and each one had been individually hand painted with detailed colors. Those figures brought my imagination to life. They’re what inspired me to learn how to play.
I was mesmerized by each of the pieces for their uniqueness and that lead me to want to understand the game, learn and interact with the pieces as much as possible. If these pieces had been the typical Staunton chess pieces made from plastic or wood you see in most every set, I highly doubt I would have ever had any interest.
From there I grew to enjoy the game for all of its benefits, but it was those medieval themed character pieces that were the spark that ignited my lifelong passion.
Those pieces also came to represent more than just a game to me, it became an opportunity to have one on one dedicated interaction with my dad. A way that he and I could relate and I could receive his undivided attention. The games became more than games, they became cherished memories. That chess set is the one thing I hope to inherit from my dad someday for its sentimental value.
Playing chess was more than just a lifetime of fun and memorable moments with my dad, it also taught me lifelong skills such as strategic thinking, deep concentration and the power of leverage. Which I think as parents we all desire to teach and pass along to our children.
So I knew there had to be a way to for my kids to experience the same intrigue with chess that had gripped me as a child but as I looked to buy an existing set I just couldn’t find anything that came close to the idea I had in mind, so I created my own for my kids.
And it's worked! My kids have become extremely interested in playing chess in a way that I would’ve never imagined possible otherwise and they are constantly asking me to play and play each other.
We are now creating another generation of memories and cherished interactions together.
So Why Chess?
Chess is a game that has taught great leaders the skills that have made success in life achievable. It’s a game of logic, skill and winning is often about recognizing and seizing opportunity. Above all Chess is a game about planning and prediction, in other words, strategy. Chess can be an extremely rewarding game and often provides players with the confidence in themselves to succeed in other areas.
What parent wouldn't mind seeing their child set down the electronic device for a little while and engage in a good ole’ fashioned board game with another person, right? After all, inside every child, there sits an enormous amount of curiosity waiting to be ignited and chess is one of the tools that can do just that.
The Concept
Create a world of kid-friendly chess piece characters that can be interchanged to represent any piece on the board as well as collectable and tradeable; which in turn allows kids to build their own unique set of customized chess pieces. This adds a facet to the game that makes it more fun and engaging, easier to learn and most importantly appealing to the uninitiated.
The figures are detachable from the bases. The bases represent the value of each piece (ie, rook, pawn, queen, etc..) and the figures are interchangeable with all the bases. Kids can configure their set with the figures they have any way they see fit. Kids can choose their bases from a variety of different designs.
As incentive to play to their very best ability and consistently improve their skill as players, we encourage a swap of at least one piece at the winner’s discretion based on the outcome of the game. This is not a hard and fast rule but we have found having a little something on the line makes the game all that more exciting. Kids should agree ahead of starting the game how many, if any figures will be exchanged at the end. The winner then chooses a figure of their choice from the opponents set and provides a replacement figure in replacement for the one they acquired back to their opponent. Only figures are traded and bases always remain with their respective owner.
The bases come with cards with visual examples of the moves pieces can make. Allowing kids to easily learn and conceptualize the options as well as remind themselves during a game. The figures come with stories of their background.
Concept to Reality
The images you see represent the concept prototype but are not the finished design for mass production. We envision using colorful and unique vynil character pieces similar to the Super Mario example below. The target user audience being ages 6+ and their parents.
Example of a Character Themed Vynil Set
What's Needed?
We need to know your thoughts about this?
Is this a good idea?
Could this have mass appeal to kids and parents alike?
Could you see wanting this for your own kids?
If so, we need your support and backing to turn this from a concept prototype into a marketable retail game. We need your financial support to cover the cost of the molds, design, branding, packaging and distribution. You might imagine how very expensive it is to bring something like this to market.
Without your support we’ll be left to assume this is an idea without an audience or mass appeal.
Costs
Manufacturing in a manner that balances quality with affordability is the key to the success of this and having community of people that share a passion for the game of Chess become involved will ensure the projects success. To ensure success through quality and affordability the following costs have been estimated, doing things properly is essential, keeping the quality high and taking this Chess game to market effectively are all considerations.
The estimated funding required is:
- Mold Creation and Production $20,000
- Chess Piece design $5,000
- Packaging $5,000
- Chess piece manufacture (small scale escalating to mass) $25,000
- Marketing $7,500
- Distribution $10,000
TOTAL $72,500
Your Part
Chess has provided many people skills for success in life, our hope is that this idea will someday help your child or a child you know do the same. More importantly we hope this idea will create meaningful interactions between parents and children with fond and lasting memories of your time together.
Your investemnt in this concept is more than just an investment to bring yet another entertaining toy to market, it is an investment into the lives of our young and budding leaders. Your investment could produce the next President, great business leader or engaged and caring parent passing along the skills they learned as child because they were fortunate enough to have been introduced to a world of character figures that ignited a lifelong passion for chess.
Please give your opinion.
Vote.
Join.
Participate.
Support.
Let us know if you think this is worthwhile.
Again, without your support we’ll be left to assume this is an idea without an audience or mass appeal.
Perks
- 1 claimed
If you think: “I can’t wait to see the finished result!” Then do this → ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs + also receive: ♥ We'll send you one of your own Chess Traders™ figures. ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 1 claimed
If you think: “This will be great for my son/daughter!” Then do this → ♥ First to receive a Starter Bundle of 16 Chess Traders™ + also receive: ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “My kids are going to absolutely love this!” Then do this → ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board + also receive: ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “This will be the best gift this year!” Then do this → ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases + also receive: ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation
- 0 ordered
If you think: “I want to dedicate a character too…” Then do this → ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory + also receive: ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 ordered
If you think: “We’re going to build the most epic set ever!” Then do this → ♥ Get the Insider Guide to Rarity of Characters + also receive: ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “I’ve got insight no one else can offer.” Then do this → ♥ Join the Chess Traders™ Board of Advisors + also receive: ♥ Get the Insider Guide to Rarity of Characters ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “Everyone should own a piece of this pie!” Then do this → ♥ Become a Chess Trader™ Business Partner + also receive: ♥ Join the Chess Traders™ Board of Advisors ♥ Get the Insider Guide to Rarity of Characters ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
Highlights
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Chess Traders™ Community
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and show your name, or inspire a contribution from someone else by sharing your personal link (below).
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How it works
To appear in our community, simply make a contribution to our campaign
and show your name, or inspire a contribution from someone else by sharing your personal link (below).
The more contributions you make or inspire, the higher you'll go and the more the campaign will benefit.
Here's your personal link to share:
Copy- 1 claimed
If you think: “I can’t wait to see the finished result!” Then do this → ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs + also receive: ♥ We'll send you one of your own Chess Traders™ figures. ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 1 claimed
If you think: “This will be great for my son/daughter!” Then do this → ♥ First to receive a Starter Bundle of 16 Chess Traders™ + also receive: ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “My kids are going to absolutely love this!” Then do this → ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board + also receive: ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “This will be the best gift this year!” Then do this → ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases + also receive: ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation
- 0 ordered
If you think: “I want to dedicate a character too…” Then do this → ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory + also receive: ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 ordered
If you think: “We’re going to build the most epic set ever!” Then do this → ♥ Get the Insider Guide to Rarity of Characters + also receive: ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “I’ve got insight no one else can offer.” Then do this → ♥ Join the Chess Traders™ Board of Advisors + also receive: ♥ Get the Insider Guide to Rarity of Characters ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
- 0 claimed
If you think: “Everyone should own a piece of this pie!” Then do this → ♥ Become a Chess Trader™ Business Partner + also receive: ♥ Join the Chess Traders™ Board of Advisors ♥ Get the Insider Guide to Rarity of Characters ♥ Create Your Own Character Design and Backstory ♥ Design your own custom Chess Traders™ Bases ♥ Be the first to receive a Full Bundle of 32 Chess Traders™ w/ Board ♥ Get an Inside Peak at New Character Designs ♥ Accept our sincerest Thank YOU and appreciation!
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