„I first came to the idea 3 years ago. At the time I decided to create chess with characters from Dubrovnik history. I sat at my table, thought for a while and chose the chess men,” says Tkalec proud of his original souvenir.
The pawns are green Maro and Baro, fortress Minčeta is the rook, the knight is Marin Držić, the bishop is Orlando, the queen is Cvijeta Zuzorić and the king is Ivan Gundulić.
„I thought for a long time about the person representing the knight. Finally I chose Marin Držić,“ says Tkalec, adding that he draw 13 sketches for all chess men and created them with his associates.
He was not happy with the first and with the second samples and only the third version satisfied him and it is now his final and official version.
His original chess can be seen in the shop window of Algebra book shop in Stradun. Mrs Maja Bačić from the library recognized the importance of this souvenir. This souvenir is authentic and original and is exposed in the very town centre whole year long.
Tkalec likes chess himself. „I like chess and I have been playing it since my childhood. My father taught me. I like Dubrovnik as well. Playing chess with these chess men is a very special experience. When you play with Maro and Baro you should know the story about them,”says Tkalec, not forgetting to mention other Dubrovnik historical personalities.
„Chess is played worldwide, in presidential residences as well as in parks. The game is very imaginative. Chess offers millions of ideas, combinations, tricks and moves. And this is the special one, making me proud of being its creator,” says Tkalec who protected the copyrights.
His chess won the first prize for innovation in Dalmatia last year.
Chess men are made of ceramics, the board is made of shiny nut tree. On the edge there is a sign „Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro“ - Freedom is not to be sold for all the wealth in the world. This was my son's Krešimir's idea.
Tkalec used to have a souvenir shop in Dubrovnik. In the Algebra book shop there are also his Lukrecija and Ivan Gundulić.
„I love living here, where I was born, in Jezuiti estate, in Kneza Hrvaša street,” says Tkalec. He said that he is not planning to sell his house in the very nucleolus, as many others did. He thinks that it is sad to have less than 1000 inhabitants in the old town nowadays.
„Count Hrvaš, after whom my street got its name, was the last count ruling for several years. He had incredible negotiating skills. But he used the skills only for his personal welfare. After him the count mandate was only one month long. Nonetheless the street has his name, the street where the first church of St. Peter was built and my house was probably treasury with catacombs underneath. He was important for our republic, but resembles the today’s egoistic politicians. I like Dubrovnik history and I like to know where I live, “says Tkalec.
The old town centre inhabitant, aware of emigrating trends and lack of traditional living remembers how it used to be.
„In our street there were 10 kids and 3 stairs. In the afternoons the coffee was drunk at the stairs, always cooked by someone else. Nowadays the street has 3 people altogether and we never see each other. Not to mention the empty Stradun,” says Tkalec, adding that he likes Dubrovnik nevertheless.
„I like every Dubrovnik. I like even the one with strong southern winds. I watch the huge waves, doing that makes me calm. And Bora wind is healthy. I only dislike heavy rains when you can not go for a walk“.
“But the rain has its good sides. You can play chess with your friends Minčeta, Maro, Baro, Cvijeta, Ivan, Marin and Orlando on the chess board in a very new and different way tell stories about Dubrovnik history and beauty.