The Staunton chess pieces, the ones we know and love, the ones we simply think of as chess pieces. These classic chess pieces are named after Howard Staunton who was widely considered to be one of the best players in the world. The knight, the most intricate and distinct piece of any chess set, is a realistically carved horse head. The Staunton Knight was likely inspired by a sculpture on the east pediment of the Parthenon. The Metal Staunton by Manopoulos reinforces this architectural history of the original pieces while respecting their timeless design.