I have a lot of chess set but the one that fits the 'fancy' bill is one I got in Panama about 25 years ago. It's made of plaster (I think), painted. The kings are King Nepture, the pawns are little fishes, knights are seahorses, etc.. I got it because it was the most godawfully UGLY chess I had ever seen in my life and I just couldn't pass it up.
It is absolutely HIDEOUS.
I've often been tempted to pull it out when faced with a really strong opponent. I figure he probably wouldn't be able to top laughing long enough to formulate a reasonable . . . but then I might not be able to either.
I picked one myself from the same place. Small world ain't it?
Hey, this is share and tell, no photo to share with the rest of the class?
i would not mind having a set like this
Phunny.
This is the most creative and artistic set I've laid eyes on to date. Ok may be swayed a tad because I'm a bike junkie but just a tad as I can appreciate art of many kinds.
Guess I'm with stormcrown here. I'd never own such a set because I'd never play with it (to distracting). I have 4 sets all of which serve in different ways: one nice rosewood and boxwood set on maple and mahogany board for home play 2 plastic sets one for tournament play and the other for outdoor adventures and a little glass set I keep a puzzle set up on at all times--all staunton.
Its interesting to see the exotic sets and especially to hear the stories behind them though.
That is an impressive work of art.
i have only wood, staunton and glass. why need more?
it's about the playing, not the board.
There are, to my mind, two distinctly different types of chess set; theme (which are for display), and playing. One is not necessarily any prettier, or a finer work of art, than the other. My favorite set for playing is a Staunton-esque set I got in a curio shop in Panama about 25 years ago. It's not exactly Staunton, but so close to it that no one would have even the slightest problem telling the pieces. Tall and slim rather than broad at the base. Ebony and boxwood, so old that the boxwood is rather dark. In a wooden case/board proportionate in size and wood color. Cloth felted bottoms. Late 19th century.
It's what I take to the club. It does not have the look or feel of an expensive House of Staunton set by a long shot. And although no one at the club ever objected to playing with it, I expect someone at a tournament would find a reason to object, since they could.
Some of my fellow chess players at the club, after playing a game or two with it, have commented that it is a special set, unlike any they've ever seen before. It's nothing 'fancy' but it does have its own touch of elegance.
The pieces in the front look a lot like the ones my dad had. Only they were carved
Hey Muggs:
I have a few sets most are Staunton standard just different sizes...one small wood set folds in half and looks like a closed book...another is huge and wood with a 6" King real nice set to play on. my fav is a regular wood set, king about 3 1/2" that i've had for about 35 years and the fourth is an asian designed folding box with the white sq as asian painted sences. but the pieces are carved soap stone in red and lime green just the heads of the pawns, bishops, K&Q the knights are horses and rooks castles...My ma found it at an estate sale.
My best set is an anniversary present from my wife.
From House of Staunton, the Zagreb 1959 set:
But my old sentimental favorite is my high school set, a French Lardy.
An odd workman error: one knight has three nostrils, instead of two.
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