1950’s Style Dubrovnik Review

to help answer your question I went and grabbed a few knights from different sets around the home … and … sorry if this sounds odd … but I sat in darkness and tried to feel differences. Not scientific but I kidded myself that I would be more objective.
In truth, most pieces with a satin or buff finish(i.e., not gloss) finish felt similar but I had one ‘luxury’ set with a gloss finish - in this casual experiment (😉) - and while it shines like a jewel on the board - and looks beautiful when the lights are on - It is the least enjoyable to hold. A combination of too many sharp bits from the intricate carving, too heavy in the base and something not natural and not “wood like” about the feel. So beautiful to look at and fine to play but not as good in the hand as the other satin finish pieces.
Here’s the interesting thing - the Chavet (albeit smaller) and the Dubrovnik felt the best to hold ergonomically- something about the feel, balance and the way each has a rather narrow profile and uncomplicated side and a flange/skirt towards the base - that makes them easy to pick up and hold. They are not overly heavy either - some of my other pieces felt to heavy at the base compared to those two.
Hence in my hand - the Chavet and Dubrovnik felt the best. Both satin finishes.

@powerdigit this is an excellent experiment and I appreciate you for doing this. I would like to do the same myself with some pieces.

I think you may have been the one that talked about a reproduction of IM Biro's set (often named Hungarian-Romanian tournament set). I have one of these reproduction sets and have always been VERY unhappy with the jagged/rough feel of the finish (I keep it in a closet and never use it). I didn't know IM Biro was still producing them and ordered one. I'm home now and it should be delivered by next week.

And for completeness, in my subjective and totally unscientific experiment above … the knights in question and then, the two preferred. The knight third from the left in the first photo was pretty good too.

Ah, my Sandor Biro set is currently not on display - I will absolutely pull that out and compare to the Chavet and Dubrovnik. Just not tonight … too lazy to unpack it!! 🤦‍♂️ That will be interesting - because that set (in my collection) predates both the Chavets and Dub and definitely is one of my favourites - I’ll try to block out bias and favouritism when in next run the ‘experiment’. 😉 PS - I hope you enjoy yours when it arrives.

@powerdigit I expect I will enjoy it because it is an original. I believe IM Biro is the highest FIDE rated player currently hand carving pieces of their own design. Sorry to hijack your thread.

To close off the unscientific and subjective comparison, I went and got the Sandor knight. Another beauty and again, the feel of the wood/finish is similar. Once again, smooth sides with that skirt which is easy to hold and because it is light - doesn’t feel in danger of dropping from your grip. The balance is wonderful. The slightly thicker design of the H-R, makes it ever so slightly, less ergonomic (for my hands) but this is splitting hairs. If pushed, the feel of the finish is a dead heat and when combined with an overall sense of balance and functionality the Sandor H-R is a photo finish and a nose behind the Chavet and Dub. They are all wonderful and probably 3 of my top five sets… albeit, that might change when I’m in a different mood next week! 🤦‍♂️😊

Hey great thread these are beautiful !!

I have an unrelated question; what is the most affordable source to get a Wooden board with weigthed pieces that is tournament size? (I don't care about this brand or another, or replicas, just as long as they are weighted and standard tournament size)

don't get me wrong these reproductions are stunning just assuming they are out of my price range

thx

oh maaan thats way cheaper than what I could google. ofc, amazon does ship but somehow I forget amazon exists.. (ebay guy, idk)... thank you!!! <3

The Sandor knight in profile reminds me of Indajeza knights. Obviously the separation from the base and the "skirt" are Sandor features only, and the overall design is more abstract, but the upper silhouette seems very similar, to me anyway.

In both cases, I'm not sure whether it's a design that I like, or hate. But then I used to feel that way about the Dubrovnik.

@harthacnut - 😊 - you have the best and most dangerous nickname within this forum! I wouldn’t want to be drunk and trying to say it!!
I totally get the love/hate thing … I have been there with numerous sets and it might surprise some that I still flip and flop in and out of love of my Lardy (Lardy’esque) knight — and yet, I love the Chavet. And now the Dub.

Aaargh!!! I am devastated … albeit not in a life or death way … just in a really disappointed kind of way. ☹️

Taking photos of my King earlier, I accidentally dropped it from a standing height onto tiles … and the finial snapped off; totally my fault - albeit maybe I shouldn’t take so many photos but I really like this set and was looking to show some more angles.

Such a bummer! Gutted. Even worse, after much looking / I can’t find part of the collar which must have jumped out of sight after snapping off - so, I can’t even glue it back into one whole piece. Aaargh!!! It’s only a chess piece - so perspective is needed - it’s just a shame for set that I really liked!

Anyway - I have put a request into the RCM team to see if I can buy a replacement piece and pay for postage but it’s just a shame. Anyway folks - the lesson - be careful when handling your pieces!!!

Sorry Powder....Be happy it's only a chess piece and can easily and inexpensively be replaced.

I was once working on a very expensive high end audio turntable/arm/cartridge and it slipped out of my grasp and I dropped the entire unit on the floor. I rationalize that the reason why I lost all my hair was from the stress and cost of replacement.

Your issue? Piece of cake.

Ahh I’m so sorry to hear Powder. I’m sure you can get another from RCM.

On a side note, while you’re waiting for a replacement, can’t you just make a new finial now that you have some skills in the woodshed?

Oh yeah good point about the boxwood. I think eventually the color could line up as time goes on.

Oof.. I can feel the pain, but.. I smashed a glassen lamp shade recently, puzzled for two hours, glued it together- it is an entirely new piece now, craquelee, to say the least.. and there, too, miraculously a rim piece is still missing. I once dropped a czech coffee house knight in half while sanding off a thick coat of white paint. Glueing went well, but it still looks at me extra bitterly, I feel. On the upside, I had no worries with replacement costs

Those knights are cool!

Thank you, Mch! It is one of the first 10 sets I collected. I was thinking Vienna coffee house, but later I found it on youtube presented by Alan Dewey and his headline is Czech chess set 1920ies/30ies.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u6RNtIxnTvk

The knights I find super, too, and also that I was rewarded for my clumsy sanding efforts by the pinto horse