The other day I went down to my Wifepersons Grandpa's house to see if he wanted to play some chess. He told me he could not because his arthritis was acting up and he wouldn't be able to hold the pieces that well.
I would have offerd to move his for him but he has his pride and would not allow that to be done for him.
So I thought that he can't be the only one with this problem. Why not have chess pieces that have a finger sized loop in the top of them? Gramp wouldn't have to try to hold any of the pieces, he could just hook them with his finger.-- Chefboyrbored, Nov 22 2006 The sentiment is worthy, so [+] but a person with severe arthritis may not even be able to use the loops. A smart board where the spoken word, or even eye motion, would initiate a simple robot arm to move the pieces would be great for many people - i.e. amputees-- xenzag, Nov 23 2006 Chess Aid:
Has a nice ring to it.-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Nov 23 2006 Ah a thought to late I would say, I now realise I should call this Chess Mate. Oh well.
Xenzag, I really like your idea for a robotic arm! + to you.
BrauBeaton, Yes it is possible that Gramp just dosen't want to play chess due to severe pain. I never push him to play, I just ask and try to read what he might be saying. I do think he would be more inclined to play if it did not hurt more to try and hold the pieces.-- Chefboyrbored, Nov 23 2006 I thought this would be an idea to rival Live Aid, where Kasparov et al performed their greatest moves in front of an audience of millions...-- jtp, Nov 23 2006 Bun, by the way.-- jtp, Nov 23 2006 //He could bash the pieces//
No need. Bars & cafes (where the sort of board shown in the link would most likely be found) could accommodate players by providing 'Pawnpushers'. There would be one dressed in all black, one in white. Each would move the pieces around as the players requested. A small tip would probably be expected for each game, at the players discretion. A Pawnpusher's wage alone is not sufficient to live on, after all.-- jtp, Nov 23 2006 Did anybody notice the words in the background of the link?-- Chefboyrbored, Nov 26 2006 What kind of shape were you thinking? Regular chess pieces with a finger hole at the top? Or more of a stylized type of thing? Are people with arthritis more prone to shaking hands as well? Does the whole thing need to be bigger, sort of a Fisher Price "My Last Chess Set"? What if you marked the board with the square numbers so he could tell you which piece to move where? I'm just curious because I was thinking about making fused glass sets and this sounds like it could provide an interesting twist and artistic style to it.-- NotTheSharpestSpoon, Nov 26 2006 //Did anybody notice the words in the background of the link?//
What? That Ian has OCD? So what, lots of people live with OCD everyday. More power to Ian, that he went out and made a glass lighted sign to proclaim to the world that he does, in fact, have OCD. You gonna make fun of the guy for that?-- NotTheSharpestSpoon, Nov 26 2006 I did not mean to make fun of anybody, I just noticed the sign in the backgroud.
//What if you marked the board with the square numbers so he could tell you which piece to move where?//
//I would have offerd to move his for him but he has his pride and would not allow that to be done for him.//-- Chefboyrbored, Nov 26 2006 //And I think that was an 'asian food' sign.//
Actually, the name of the bar is "Gregorian Wood". It's in the heart of Amsterdam, and I've been there. You can get a blow job at the bar from a genuine Benedictine Monk, whilst listening to Gregorian chants. Very soothing.-- jtp, Nov 26 2006 random, halfbakery