Chess set recommendations?

CD Fleischer

CD Fleischer

Joined
Oct 12, 1998
Messages
2,036
I am looking for a new chess set. Haven't really decided if I want one to travel and one for home use or one that can do both.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Clay

PS anyone know any good chess games for the Palm platform?
 
My sister just got back from Etheopia. She brought me back a really nice hand carved chess set made of naturally pure black ebony and deep brown mahogany. All of the pieces are hand carved as well. She bought it for about 2 US dollars.
I don't know why I wrote this because it's not very practical for you to go all the way to Etheopia to get a chess set.

Jeff
 
I bought a beautiful set of hand-carved meershaum in Istanbull
on September 11th. Whenever I look at that set, I think of the tragedy and get mad all over again! I keep it prominently displayed in my living room. "Never Forget"
 
I got a nice set in Mexico at a market. Made of nice contrasting marble, but that sucker is heavy.
So lesse, now you can either go to Ethiopia, Istanbul, or Mexico. Have a good vacation!

Actually, try some antique stores or even thrift shops if you're looking for an older, more unique set. You might look on eBay as well. I'll bet there are a bunch for sale there.
 
My only spin on this is that most "travel" sets are so small that they give you a headache trying to figure out which piece is which.

I much prefer a very standard "staunton" set of full-sized peices on a board big enough to avoid crowding. A freind of mine once had a nifty "Roman" set with all the pawns mounted on pawing horses, the rooks detailed like complex seige engines, etc. With all that gingerbread sticking out eveywhere, the board looked like a forest!
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I am in for a vacation. ;)

I prefer a standard Staunton set. Not looking for anything fancy, just don't want something cheaply made. THinking about a folding set that stores the pieces inside. Preferrable a nice wooden one.

Bikewer -- is standard 3" king? How big a board -- like 18"X18"

Thanks, guys,

Clay
 
I much prefer standard too...have seen some weird eg Thai ones where you can't tell your own pieces from one another, nevermind a complex board position. I've got a standard woodie :eek: that folds and a decent sized Novag "computer board"..
 
Go to eBay and type in "Staunton chess set". There are a bunch for sale.
 
Yeah, there are plenty of sets to choose from on Ebay and elsewhere, I just wondered if anyone had a brand or retailer they colud recommend. Trying to avoid getting some Chinese POS that won't hold up...
 
go to www.google.com and type in "U.S. chess federation". They stock a bunch of chess sets, from budget priced to highly refined. I bought the standard plastic set that they use in tournaments with the tournament roll up vinyl board. I got the carrying case and a chess clock to complete the package. Very pleased with it. Standard king height is 4 inches. Not sure about board dimensions.
 
I had checked there before, but went back and bought one of their travel sets and a set of plastic pieces sans board (grand total was $17). I have a standard cardboard board at home. Ought to hold me over.

Think I may re-check a local store and see what is out there. Not sure I want to order something online, since I can't inspect the quality beforehand.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

Clay
 
I prefer the USCF-sourced roll-up large vinyl board and standard weighted Staunton pieces.

When I travel, the bag of pieces and board can go in the suitcase.

Much more civilized than a teeny folding set.

I keep a couple sets of these in the car, so that I can play bug-house with my friends on the spur of the moment.
 
I got one of those little folding magnetic jobs for travel, at a gift shop. Has little magnetic checkers, too. It's nothing great, but it works. Beats hauling the marble and onyx one that lives on an end table around:)
 
Hopefully that travel set I ordered will be pretty good. If not, I can give it to my nephew. I already ordered him a 10" glass set and myself a 14" one (that's board size not king size! ;) ) Like the ones in the movie Xmen. They were only $14 each. If they are crap, they are crap.

Anyway, for anyone looking for a set, here's one that looks pretty good. I have bought from the brick-and-mortar Game Preserves in Greenwood and Indy and they have good stuff and are good people.

Here

(the second and third sets there -- couldn't link directly to them -- the have the same board and different pieces)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top