Our Association


Chess Collectors International (CCI) is a worldwide association of lovers and collectors of chess sets of artistic and historical interest. Created some 30 years ago, CCI’s goal is to study and promote the art and history of the game of chess. 
CCI was established in 1984, during a first interntional congress in Florida, USA.

Aims of the organisation
  • To sponsor research projects on the history of chess and chessmen.
  • To explore the relationships between chess and history, culture, the arts, literature and other sciences.
  • To initiate the publications concerning chess and chessmen.
  • To organise conferences and exhibitions on an international scale in conjunction with recognised museums.
Activities

CCI Members may attend the bi-annual international meetings which are held in changing venues. The German speaking members also meet once a year in a different town in Germany. Each member receives twice a year the “The Chess Collector”, and, when available, the “CCI USA News”.

Membership

Anyone may become a member who feels committed to the above mentioned aims, and is a collector of chess sets, books, etc.

More information on CCI

Since its first international convention in Florida in 1984, ICC has met regularly every two years, in London in 1986, in Munich in 1988, in New York in 1990, in Paris in 1992, in Saint Petersburg in 1994, in Washinton. DC in 1996, in Vienna in 1998, in Florence in 2000, in Philadelphia in 2002, in Madrid in 2004 and in Berlin in 2006. 

Our bi-annual international conventions include seminars and discussions on the main theme of collecting chess sets. They also include exhibitions, auctions, as well as a popular chess market where members can buy and sell chess sets and other chess related items. During those meetings, that are usually taking place on a weekend, cultural visits are also included, such as organised, guided visits to a major museum around the world.

Initially Chess Collectors International combined chess collectors as well as lovers of art and the history of chess. Over time, other collectors have joined our association, including stamp collectors, bibliophiles, painting enthusiasts, pine collectors and others who participate in the richness of our exchanges.

Some of our members are recognised international grandmasters, others just know how to push the pieces. But all of us collect chess sets in one form or another.  Some CCI members have three or four sets, while others have hundreds – or more. Some are specialising in ancient sets, others in design sets, others in porcelain sets or coming from a particular geographical area or contemporary artists. Everyone has their place here.

Today our association has numerous members from 34 different countries.