Hey-

Looking to buy a niceish woden chess set for my every day set.  I'm just starting out and playing a little otb chess.  I don't realy anticipate playing Blitz any time soon.  I have ambitions of eventually playing in a local tournament some day.

I want a wood set b/c, as a parent, I have far too much plastic in my life as it is.  I craigslisted some stuff when I cleaned out my garage and have 100 bucks to spend on a set.  I'm looking at the following two sets.

Championship Series:
http://tiny.cc/lvCMq

King Height: 3.75 inches
King Base: 1.5 inches in diameter
Set Weight: 45 ounces

Classic Series
http://tiny.cc/Wmn90

King Height: 3.75 inches
King Base: 1.6 inches in diameter
Set Weight: 54 ounces!

Two Questions:

1.  Any one in the community have any experience with either of these sets?  I had originally decided on the Championship series, but my garage sale netted more than I thought and I'm intrigued by the heaviness of the Classic series.  Is the classic series too nice/delicate for everyday use (thrown in an old tournament bag (ancient paperboard and leather number).

2.  Is dark rosewood dark enough for tournament play?  I like the look, but I'm wondering if ebonized might not be more practical.

Thanks in advance-

CMI

I'm not sure about what would be accepted in tournaments, but I'd go with the classic series.  It doesn't look as "mass produced", and I usually prefer heavier pieces myself.

Hope that helps.

Good Luck!

Call_me_Ishmael, most players use plastic sets at tournaments. Rememeber, your opponent may have just finished a sloppy joe or BBQ chicken sandwich, and some will put your pieces down with a large thwump! As long as that won't bother you...

Dark rosewood (or any rosewood- the term applies to several woods) is fine for tournament play.  The championship series look a bit skinny and top heavy to me, more so than the 0.1" difference would imply. Such is a major practical consideration.  If one tips over in play, several might and cause a "discussion".  Get the one you will be proud of.  I have several wood sets and really like the better wider and heavier ones.  Huge pride-of -ownership difference.  House of Staunton is better known for its high quality and spendy sets.

I had a Zagreb 59' chess series imported by the government for me to play with, I am extremely satisfied, though I do not know how much it costs.

it's all about board color the boxwood/golden rosewood looks so sexy lol

i've playedo on those colors at tournaments and it's perfect, not too light not too dark

Here are the USCF rules regarding color: 40D: Pieces should be the color of naturally light and dark wood (for example, maple or boxwood and walnut or ebony) or approximations of these colors, such as simply white and black. They seem fairly neutral on colors.

The height, diamater, and weight of both sets meet requirements.

Personally, I prefer the Classic design.

No experience with either set but there's no comparison IMO. The classic looks great, the other one, not so much.

As Likesforests was suggesting -- keep that set for home use and display... Personally I'd feel ostentatious and feel goofy pulling out a beatiful wooden set at a tournament.  Weighted plastic pieces all the same size and design and not too completely grungy qualifies as a damn fine tournament set where I come from. Those wooden pieces would look way out of place on a green and white roll up vinyl chess board, which is what a lot of games end up getting played on. But maybe things are done differently where you play.

check ebay you  could get even nicer HOS sets for less $$$ but still the question of the BBQ  sandwich lingers...

You can get an ebony/boxwood HOS set off ebay for <$100 on a good day. Then buy a cheap plastic set (but good anyway) for tournaments when they come and casual games in the park etc..

if its for live otb tournament play, you want something durable and relatively inexpensive, i wouldn't go over 35-40 $$ US.  For your home use/display the skies the limit and it would depend on the decore of the home area and your tastes. check out the sets shown on the "resources" section at chess.com website.  also check out equipment available at thinker's press website...just google them...i have bought some sets from them and found them to be really reasonable and efficient.  I obtained a triple weighted Drucke plastic set many years ago for otb live play...i don't know if they make that particular set anymore, i still have that set, but also google the Drucke  company, for chess sets . I lived in Richmond Va. area for many years, before moving to Seattle Wa. area.  I know the Virginia Chess Federation & Richmond Chess Federation would be really helpful with this matter, check them out for info...good luck.

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I get that most tournaments are played with plastic pieces.  My thinking here is that tournament play is an "if" for me, not a when, and it's a ways off.  Also, with two kids under 5, I'm not likely to be getting away to any tournaments any time soon. 

I guess what I want is a chess set that looks nice (nothing too fancy), is wood, but isn't so nice that I don't want to use it.  Some of those HOS sets are, indeed, beautiful.  Don't know if I'd ever be comfortable using them except for in the most controlled of conditions.

I think that you generally want to keep nice chess sets away from tournaments where they will get ruined. Make sure that they are taken care of, and they will last a long time.

I prefer heavier chess sets because they feel really nice in your hand. The classic looks like a good one to me. However, these sets are just the pieces. The boards are not included.

Ended-up going for the less expensive Championship series from HOS (similar to International Series at US Chess).  Figured the mass-produced looke would seem less showy if I ever do a tournament, less out of place on a vinyl board.

Put the money I saved into a fund for a nice HOS set in a couple of years -- maybe the Zagreb '59, Mechanics Institute, or Reykajavik II. 

Thanks-

CMI

I sort of like the Championship Series better as well. Obviously the weightier pieces will be preferred, but the Classical Knight just looks freaky. Then again, the Championship Knight also looks weird, but in a loveable way, like the retarded horse on Family Guy.

Peter: Lois do you remember those diamond earrings I promised you for our anniversary?

Lois: Oh Peter!

Peter: That's right I bought a horse!!

LOL =/

Don't forget that you're going to want a nice board to go-along with the nice pieces.  This may play a factor in your decision on which set to purchase.  Might I suggest the Dreuke board?  They're beautifully crafted, will last forever, and match well with pretty much any set.

Call_me_Ishmael, I've owned the Reykjavik II for a couple years and am extremely happy with it. And yes, the board is important too. :)

Agreed on the board purchase.  There's a Dreuke floating around the family that I might get a hold of in a couple of years.

And I'll be sure to describe the knights in the new set as "sort of like the retarded horse on the family guy" soon.  Outstanding.

My HOS champion series pieces arrived two days ago.  Very glad I went with this choice.  Pieces are very solid, but plain enough that the don't look silly on a vinyl board.  No fear of having pieces that promise more than I can deliver when I play OTB.