Chess - Once a Pawn a Time

DELUXE VERSION has Custom Chessmen MATCHING Illustrations, this set contains standard Staunton Chessmen...ONLY difference between the two editions. I DID FIND the Deluxe Version IN STOCK for $29.99 here at Walmart.com >>Best Price and an IN-stock supply<<...FREE Shipping with $35 purchase! Most reviewers at Amazon write they are Disappointed when the actual Chess pieces enclosed don't match the box or books' illustrations, and I must say it's well worth the few extra dollars to complete the visual connection for the kids! The Deluxe Chessmen are slightly Larger than "Once a Pawn a Time"s standard set and their shapes (so similar to Staunton that transition is NO problem) are more fun to handle for kids, but anything you can do to peak an interest in learning + playing Chess for children (or adults) is FAIR GAME and a Chess teacher's ultimate goal! To see clear pictures of the actual Deluxe Version Custom Chess pieces go to: http://www.chessusa.com/product/4B-007.html The product is 5 STARS in its entirety . . . from Box~to~Board~to~Books~to~Chessmen, a beautiful & worth-the-price presentation. The DURABLE Box opens with a magnetic flap for ease, the Board is dry-erase (only one I've ever encountered!), the Books & CUSTOM Chessmen are easily stored in their own compartments. But the Books are AWESOME: each over 100 pages of fully-illustrated, full-color diagrams and teaching points. Book 1 can be read all at once if desired but Book 2 should be taken in 1-chapter at a time for comprehension. By far, the BEST FOUNDATION for Learning Chess I have come across for kids OR adults - - I am not a beginner but even I garnered a BETTER UNDERSTANDING of the game en masse. And the Custom Pieces? >>soooo glad I waited until I found the Deluxe Edition<< I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM but the teaching system WORKS with either set of Chess pieces = I STRONGLY recommend the DELUXE w/Custom Chessmen for kids!!! "Once A Pawn A Time: Deluxe Version Chess Game" has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION -- you WON'T be disappointed buying this set!!