Anybody know why some chess sets have white and red pieces? Are these sets considered real chess sets?

I don't see why not. I've seen gold and silver chess sets, and they seemed pretty real to me.

I'm no expert, but I'll venture to guess your answer isn't as deep as you want it to be.  Some chess sets are white and red for the same reason others are blue and black, or transparent and opaque, or orange and brown (go cleveland).  Companies paint them whatever color they think will sell best keeping a specific target audience in mind.  Maybe the ones you speak of are red and white in an attempt to get patriotic Canadians to reach into their wallets.

And to answer your second question, I don't believe having different colored pieces alters the game itself in any way, so sure... they're real chess sets.  Of course I'll bet you'll find some people who will claim it is impure, wrong, and not real chess.  Like playing with a Nerf football instead of a real one... same game, but not really.  These are most likely the same people who will claim intelligence based on their ELO rating or call chess a sport.  Now I'm not here to judge and there may be shreds of truth or evidence in both of those statements, but if your mindset is like mine, you'll find it difficult to take much seriously from a person who compares a board game to soccer.

One reason we have sets with red pieces is that it is a continuation of tradition. When ivory sets were still being made and weren't rarities, one side was dyed cochineal red. I think it's a very pretty and appropriate color, and one of my favorite sets is a natural/red plastic Collector from HOS.

Unfortunately, it's not a "real" set in the sense that the USCF rules only allow the dark side to be black or brown or another dark color that natural wood comes in. Not many candy apple cherry red woods out there. Other federations rules on this...I don't know.

Cherry is pretty red, as is red oak.  A cherry/walnut set would be neat.  Guess I need a lathe.

Red sandalwood can be fairly reddish but still is a far cry from my candy apple Collector.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/MooscaHumano/RedCollectorWeinstockVinyl-2-resize.jpg

Because red is easier to see on a black square than black.  

Not much fun in that answer, but it's accurate.

True. Still, brown squared boards are the common vinyl/plastic ones in Europe, and in the US green squares are most common.

A few years ago blue, yellow, red and green plastic pieces were fashionable here.

You could buy any two colours.

People spent more time arguing which is White and which is Black than they did playing chess. Thank heavens that seems to have passed.

Yeah, goldendog, it would be tough to find wood that red.  Really nice looking set!

ive seensimpsons and star wars chess

Red oak wood isn't red at all, it's a tan with light brown grain lines if not stained. The tree is called "red" oak for other reasons.

Unstained cherry is a light reddish brown, darkening to a rich mellow brown with a little age. I wouldn't exactly call it red either.

i like red instead of white and black on a board, but that is just me....

Any color (or form) will do, as long as it is recognisable.

Tradition asks for black (or brown) and white. Suits me fine!

You haven't split much red oak have you?  It sure isn't "tan". The sapwood is particularly red.  I am here referring to Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), as opposed to Spanish Oak.

What type of cherry do you refer to?  Black cherry holds its red tint long after it has aged.

 Well, obviously he's referring to Quercus macrocarpa.

 Quercus macrocarpa?  Seriously?

 What do you mean? Do you not see the connection?

You haven't split much red oak have you?  It sure isn't "tan". The sapwood is particularly red.  I am here referring to Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), as opposed to Spanish Oak.

I heat my shop with a wood stove. Split plenty of red oak, and yes I'm talking about quercus rubra. Made stuff out of red oak. Never saw any of the wood as being what I'd call "red." Certainly not like some of the tropical woods.