The CHESS Collection

A chess set designed after Alexey Poni’s Russian original of the 1920s.

This design is less an object of play than a study in form, proportion, and restraint.

In a world of ornate boards and embellished pieces, the Soviet-era “Poni” set stands apart with quiet confidence. Its beauty lies not in excess, but in almost Brutalist discipline: clean lines, architectural silhouettes, and a deliberate absence of decoration. Like a well-cut gem, each piece relies on balance and precision rather than surface adornment. This purity of design has secured its place as a touchstone of functional modernism and a lasting source of inspiration.

Rarity elevates its allure. Produced in limited numbers during the Soviet era, the Poni set never entered true mass production. Its scarcity was further deepened by limited export beyond the Soviet Union. Political realities of the time kept the Poni set largely unseen in the West.

Today, the Poni Minimalist chess set is prized by collectors and connoisseurs. Its understated elegance, historical resonance, and artisanal origins make it highly desirable.