4” Hybrid Dubrovnik-Zagreb Chess Set

For all you Dubrovnik lovers out there, in the spirit of sharing I’d like to acquaint you with an excellent Dubrovnik style chess set that I’ve owned for the past several months. Not an exact replica in all respects, it blends concepts of both the Dubrovnik and Zagreb style sets to create a very pleasing hybrid. (Realizing that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Dubrovnik purists might see this as a Frankenstein monster). Nonetheless, I find this set very appealing.

About 10 years ago I bought the Zagreb 1959 chess set from HOS. It was only last year that I became aware of the original Dubrovnik set. Overall, I loved the style of the Dubrovnik, but wasn’t too keen on its rather crude knight, preferring instead the design from my Zagreb set. I also had become used to having opposite colored finials on all three pieces (king, queen and bishops).

Imagine my surprise earlier this year when I came upon the House of Chess (HOC) Zagreb set pictured below. I felt as if someone had been reading my mind, and created a perfect blend of the Zagreb and Dubrovnik designs. The king, queen, bishop, rook and pawn are near reproductions of the classic Dubrovnik set, and the Dubrovnik knight has been replaced with his cousin from Zagreb.

4” HOC Zagreb Set (Boxwood and Bud Rosewood) ($150)

Comparing the HOC set with the most accurate Dubrovnik replica from Noj in Slovenia (pictured below), I was amazed by the similarities of the Dubrovnik pieces. In fact, I think this set is more accurate in scale and proportion than either the HOS or the Chess Bazaar reproductions.   

Noj Reproduction.

The set is available from the House of Chess store on eBay, and is a great bargain at $150, which includes an excellent wooden storage box and free FedEx shipping from India. The set is shown in bud rosewood above, but is also available in rosewood, golden rosewood and wenge.

Here’s the link for those who are interested.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bud-Rose-Wood-Zagreb-Staunton-Wooden-Chess-Set-Pieces-King-size-4-with-Box-/121346812568?pt=Games_US&hash=item1c40d56a98

Thanks for posting that info.! I beg to differ that the Dubrovnik Knight is crude though but, everyone has their own tastes. 

Crude to the extent that it isn't a detailed, lifelike rendering (or even a close approximation like a typical Staunton style knight). But over time I have come to appreciate the Dubrovnik knight more and more. And, after recently purchasing the HOS Dubrovnik set, I've even come to develop a fondness for it.

> isn't a detailed, lifelike rendering

Exactly the point of the Dubrovnik knight.

Staunton pattern design has an interesting (and debatable) flaw - all pieces are just symbols except one, a detailed sculpture of an animal.

Why all that detail on one piece only?

-Izmet

Just guessing: Aniconism in Islam?

Even though I recieved a cheap plastic set as a kid, I did not pay any attention to the religious symbolisim in the set. Western sets almost always have this symbolism. There are a few western religions that frown on the symbolism as well. Everyone seems so uptight about religious symbols even in America to this day. Islam is even more strict than the Catholic Religion. I really don't blame Islam for removing these symbols from the chess pieces & infact I embrace it for the chess pieces.

IMO, The HOS, ChessBazaar and Noj Ltd Knights have much more detail than the Zagreb Knights. So, if one had to label any of these Knights as crude, to me it would be the Zagreb Knights.

Mike.. I have 2 Zagreb sets In 3 3/4 & 4 inch King. They are really pleasing to me but, everyone has their own tastes in chess pieces.

Mike,

This set has my favorite Zagreb knight, it's big and chunky, and fits perfectly in the hand.

Check out this comparison with another Zagreb knight from the Chess House. Both are from 4" sets. Each knight is shown adjacent to its respective king. I think he's rather regal looking, with character and attitude. Between the two, it's like comparing a Clydesdale to a Shetland Pony!

And now for a closer comparison of the two knights. And some close up shots.

Hmm.. My 4 inch king Knight looks like the smaller Knight pictured. It is taller than your smaller Knight but, the same detail. I don't remember where I ordered from. Maybe HOS or another site. The so called Zagreb Knight is very decent IMO. The larger Knight looks kind of blocky but, not really bad looking IMO.

Blocky when compared to the standard Zagreb knight perhaps, but it fits right in with the 'blocky' design of the Dubrovnik pieces. If HOC developed a replica Dubrovnik knight, they would have a near repro set. I've seen where HOS has offered sets with two different pairs of knights. With the growing popularity of the Dubrovnik sets, this would be the ideal set with both Dubrovnik and Zagreb style knights.

HOC refers to this set as being 'bud rosewood,' but it's really an African Padauk. It's time for the manufacturers and resellers to stop with the eupheisms and disclose the actual woods they're using in their chess sets.

I played a game with this set and I can tell you it is very very nice in looks and the way it handles. The Value factor is a 10 out of 10 and comes with a box that most would pay $50 alone for.

Funny thing, I went to order one myself and House of Chess has me blocked on eBay.  All I did was ask one question on the weight of another set and when they answered me that it was on the page I told them they inadvertently left it out. After that I couldn't even ask a question, so I went right to the buy it now and it came up seller will not sell to you. 

I have emailed them and sent a direct message to them via eBay to make sure they got the message but never a reply, very strange.  I was going to buy 2 sets and an extra box off of them. Since I am Persona Non Grata at their eBay store I won't bother to try to order off of their web site. 

Also I bought one set many years ago off of them on eBay and left them positive feedback and never had a single problem with the set, no exchanges etc.etc. Been a member there since 1998 with an impecable record. Really puzzles me. No response on the emails I sent to both addresses either.  Too bad for both of us I guess.

Hello guys, I have read at chessbazaar's page "The actual 1950 Dubrovnik Olympiad chess set was never sold in any store". is this true ?? Check it out their specifications chart...

http://www.chessbazaar.com/the-reproduction-1950-dubrovnik-bobby-fischer-chess-set-in-stained-crimson-box-wood-3-6-king.html

Yes, that's my understanding. FIDE commissioned a limited number of sets to be made -- enough for all the members of the Yugoslav team, with some left over for other leading GMs. No sets were ever made or sold commercially, which is one of the reasons the 1950 set has taken on such a mystique. Like children, we all want what we can't have. If there was such a thing as unobtainium -- we'd all want some. Wouldn't you? A chess set made from boxwood and unobtainum!

Yes, according to many sources and well documented,  approximately 50 sets were made for the Olympiad.  Here's the mystery:  Where are all the Dubrovnik sets that were made after 1950 and up to 1970  when Bobby Fisher bought a later version? One would think there should be many of these sets floating around, but they're not. Where have  20 years of Dubrovnik sets gone?