Chess - battle of Didgori

To celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Didgori Battle, Zarapxana has created exceptional chess set, the triumphant embodiment of our craftsmen’s unrivaled expertise. Developing this idea was an honorable challenge as our team had to find the perfect balance between originality and the grandeur of impressive military performance.

The battle fought between the Kingdom of Georgia and the Great Seljuk Empire took place on August 12, 1121. The chessboard is embellished with Borjgali, a Georgian symbol of eternity and freedom, while pieces are made of brass, plated with 24 karat gold. The opposition of Georgian and Seljuk armies is emphasized by the contrasting colors of the enamel. The king and the queen of both opposing sides are adorned with precious stones. The pieces of David IV the Builder and Sultan Ahmad Sanjar express exceptional power as they represent the main political figures of the event. The unquestionable authority of the Sultan gathered myriad Muslim soldiers against Georgia, while the military acumen of King David earned his people a "miraculous victory” over a much bigger rival. It is noteworthy that 35 years after the epic battle, Ahmad Sanjar married Rusudan, the granddaughter of King David.

Zarapxana did its best to combine historical sources with creative vision to introduce inspiring work with intricate details. With the stunning display of painstaking work and shared enthusiasm, this chess set is more than a precious item and serves as a portal to one of the breathtaking battles ever fought.

The chess set is accompanied by a coin, which determines the position of the player. The obverse portrays the historic coin of King David, while the reverse displays the flag of the Great Seljuk Empire.

Composition of the Georgian side:

• The King - David IV the Builder, the unifying monarch whose reign marks the beginning of the Georgian Golden Age. In addition to being a great reformer and strategic ruler, David IV was a charismatic commander whose speech filled his soldiers with exemplary courage. Decorated with a precious emerald stone, the sword and the standing position of the king embody his power and resilience.

• The queen - Gurandukht, the spouse of King David and the daughter of the Kipchak chief. Their marriage served to strengthen Georgia's political position in the region. Zarapxana designed the piece based on the motifs of Georgian traditional attire and embellished it with a precious ruby stone.

• The knight – The elite military unit created by King David, The Monaspa was the major force of the Georgian army, as it consisted of the most seasoned and heavily armed knights.

• The bishop – Crusader Franks, 200 Western European knights who joined the Georgian cavalry to fight against a common enemy. The visual aspects of the piece are based on the military equipment of the Crusaders.

• The pawn – Represents the Georgian army which united Georgians, Alans, and Kipchaks, a nomadic tribe resettled from the North Caucasus by King David. The pawn holds a shield depicting the Borjgali symbol and a grapevine.

• The rook – The source of inspiration was Svan towers, unique defensive dwellings from the historical region of Svaneti.

Composition of the Seljuk side:

• The king - The last Sultan of the Great Seljuk Empire, Ahmad Sanjar, who organized the Muslim coalition against Georgia. Adorned with a turquoise stone, he reflects the characteristic elements of the Seljuk culture and symbolizes imperial strength and confidence.

• The queen - Assassin Queen of Persian descent. This character is more based on the creative thinking of Zarapxana’s team rather than a real historical figure. The piece is decorated with a precious sapphire stone and draws a sharp contrast with the strong but gentle appearance of her counterpart.

• The knight - Indicates the bold attitude of the Seljuk army. They had a habit of shouting a frightening battle cry to destroy the morale of the enemy. However, it improved the spirit of the Georgian side and made the battle one of the most thrilling and dynamic performances in world history.

• The bishop - Symbolizes a mighty and eager warrior.

• The Pawn - To embody the national diversity of the Muslim alliance, our team deemed it right to combine Seljuk, Turkish, and Persian motifs.

• The rook – The tower is modeled after Persian architecture and its idiosyncratic elements