The location of the event may be in doubt, but the design of the pieces isn’t. At the 2013 World Championship Chess match, players will use a set designed by Daniel Weil (and available for £200 from Studio Anne Carlton).

World Chess Championship Official Set

Now you may be thinking, “What’s news about that? These Chess pieces look perfectly standard.” The thing is, what we consider a normal chess set is actually a relatively recent invention. Articles on Smithsonian.com provide some background on the standard Staunton Chess set and alternative designs.

Another element of the World Championship not in doubt is the players. Yet before Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen face off in Chennai (or Paris) for the title, the two will play in Norway. Just for fun, I guess.

Or maybe not. According to a recent study, in 2012 Anand earned $2 million playing chess, Boris Gelfand of Israel earned $1.02 million, and Carlsen earned $480 thousand.

For the championship, Anand will have to up his game. He just finished third at a tournament in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, Carlsen earned a place on Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people.

To help kick off the U.S. Chess Championship (now through May 13th in St. Louis), Grandmaster Timur Gareev played 33 opponents (average rating 1363) simultaneously, and blindfolded! His record in the event: 29 wins, 4 draws, and no losses!