More Possibilities Than Atoms

Cason t -

Hello, I’m Cason Treptow, and I’m excited to welcome you to my blog. As mentioned in the title, it is said that there are more chess positions than there are atoms in the observable universe, and that same principle applies to creativity. Here, I’ll be posting the evolution of the board into its pieces and then the set as a whole. My aim is to document the creative journey and the rich history of chess, illustrating the progression of the set and its influence on my design.

From a young age, I’ve played chess, whether it was with my brother, the state champion, or my mom, who helped teach him. Although I struggled, I always had fun, especially when I met my friend Hector, who reignited my passion for chess. We would play online and in person, turning it into a fun competition. Even my history teacher, Mr. Werner,  joined in, and since then, chess has been a regular part of my life.

I found an interest in woodcarving while I was in Boy Scouts, whittling sticks into small balls to pass the time. I was inspired by my dad’s intricately carved walking stick with a ball encased within. In 3D Art class, I woke up everyday excited to work with clay making family crests and even a mask. 

Now, I want to combine these interests by crafting a unique chess set from various materials and testing my artistic capabilities, with the guidance of Ms. Junya Shoa. I’m excited to expand my creativity and diversify my skills, but most of all, I’m excited to play chess with a ‘home field’ advantage.

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Comments:

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    allison_h
    Hey Cason! I love how your are connecting two topics that have "more possibilities than atoms," and found something in common between chess and art. For the chess set you are crafting, are there certain materials that you are planning on using, like wood or clay?
    katherine_v
    Hi Cason! I think it is amazing that you are utilizing your creativity to interact with a game you love. What aspect of making your own chess set are you looking forward to most?
    danielle_l
    Hi Cason! I still am amazed at the atoms and chess moves comparison; that definitely caught my eye when reading about your endeavor. I think that it's incredible that you are able to link two passions that you have meaningfully grown in over the years into this project together. The part about the history of chess intrigues me greatly; are you already familiar with it or is your research starting from scratch? Looking forward to observing the crafting process!
    joaquin_s
    What's up Cason? I think your project is really unique, as it combines the creativity needed for both chess and art, and just pretty cool in general. I was just curious though, what's your favorite chess piece, and why? Also, how detailed will you be making the chess set; will it be ornate or more simple in design?
    cason_t
    Hey @allison_h, Yes, I am planning on using wood for the board and half of the pieces and I will likely use clay for the other set of pieces. Thank you for the comment!
    nick_a
    Hello Cason! It's so interesting that there are a lot of chess positions. Is there any unique factor that you want to include when crafting your chess set, that will differentiate it from a standard chess set?
    cason_t
    Hi @katherine_v, I'm most looking forward to carving each piece, so they all have a more personal feel to them. However, overall, I'm looking forward to playing on it when its finished. Thank you for the question!
    cason_t
    Hello @danielle_l, I am somewhat familiar with its history, but I am nowhere near an expert. I’d say a lot of my research will likely focus on its history, as there is so much for me to learn. Thank you for the comment!
    cason_t
    What's good @joaquin_s? Personally, my favorite piece is the pawn. I enjoy the weird openings they can make and of course the en passant. For the set, I think I'm going to try and find a middle ground between the two. I like having a more plain set, but to make it more personal, I'll probably be adding small details to the base piece. Hope that answers your questions. Thank you for your interest!
    cason_t
    Hello @nick_a, I want to keep the general image of the chess pieces as they are, but with more designs on them. I think what will differentiate it the most is the board, as that gives me the most freedom to design without straying too far from a traditional set. Thank you for the question!
    meggiles
    Hi, Cason! Can you show us a photo of the walking stick? Or a cool looking chess set you find inspiring/amazing? MG
    cason_t
    Hello, I have posted a photo of each in my new blog post. Thanks for the question!

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