I'm buying a new set. What should I look fo. What should I avoid. Help.

 

That all depends on what you like, what you are using it for (i.e. tournaments), and how much you are willing to spend.  I have seen chess sets range from $10.00 up to $10,000.00.  If you are looking for something less expensive, yet nice and durable I suggest that you check out House of Staunton website for their plastic sets.  They also have nice wood sets for a bit more cash.

 Thanks cwcaesar, I'll check it out.

If anyone has some help i'd gladly accept it! :):):)

Thanks again. :)):):):) 

Chess_Champion26 wrote:

 Thanks cwcaesar, I'll check it out.

If anyone has some help i'd gladly accept it! :):):)

Thanks again. :)):):):) 

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 No problem.  Glad to do it!

Thanks again. :):):)

I really dislike pieces that are too light, since I find it that they knock over easily. Very little sets in which the pieces are nearly touching are also annoying, since one must take care not to touch the adjacent piece. Think good weight, well spaced pieces that will help you just concentrate on your game, not the board. 

I like to collect themed chess sets. They are fun sometimes, although not for daily chess play since their designs and colors can be draining. Some really cool themed sets can range from 60 dollars and beyond. I also own a set of filled or weighted plastic. It is the classic chess theme but the pieces are not hollow. I REALLY like the way these feel, just 30 dollars (without the board)!!! 

Good hunting, A.  

I prefer wood chess sets for the feel,though the glass ones are nice. Get somthing you like.

 I'm with onewho dies, I prefer wood sets.

And killGoose, if you don't like pieces that fall over get pieces that are weighed. that means they have lead in the bottom of them which makes them heavier and therefore harder to knock over 

Thanks. :):):) 

Try chessbazaar or Beekays chess store on ebay-beautiful and weighted. House of Staunton sets are heavenly if you've got 500 bucks to spend.

I you're considering a "portable" set you can carry around, I'd recommend:

1. Don't get one that's too small, can be difficult to play on

2. Go for a magnetized set, it's really quite handy

3. If the set has a drawer in it to store the pieces, avoid a drawer with a liner that has little compartments for each piece, can be a hassle to put each piece in a little spot... if the drawer has no compartments you can easily just dump all the pieces in

Hope this help :)

Take nte of the right relationship (in size) between the board and the pieces.  You don't want the base of the king overlapping the square it sits on.  Neither to you want the pieces to feel like tiny pebbles in a great ocean on the board.

Generally a 3.75" king will fin 2.25" squares just right.  A 4" king probably needs closer to 2.5" squares.  And a 3.5" king feels comfortable on 2" squares.

And, even though the difference in height o those kings mentioned may sound too small to matter, there is definitely a difference in feel between a 3.5", and 3.75", and a 4" king.

If possible check out sets belonging to friends.  If you're part of a chess club check out the sets being used there and see what feels right to you.

The difference in feel between plastic and wood is great, but really not as great as the difference in sizes.  Personally my favorite set is rosewook, with a 3.5" king; but that's jsut me.