Best board size - Chess Forums - Page 2

goldendog

Mar 11, 2009

0

#21

Daniel_ wrote:

An answer to Bastiaans question: no, I got the set shipped from the US. I have not been able to find a set like this in the Netherlands. (www.thechesspiece.net is where I got the set from).

Thanks Gomer_pyle for the tip, but I think I'd prefer to take my set along with me in the quest for the right board.

@goldendog: the board indeed is very prety, however I don't like the frame at al. Too much levels, detail, design.

The thing with a big set (4" king) and a board with a big square (say, 2-1/2"), AND a big border is that it becomes uncomfortable reaching repeatedly to the back ranks while you play over games or set up and play through positions. It really can be a stretch. That's another reason I like simple and minimal frames, especially for the big boards.

Daniel_

Mar 11, 2009

0

#22

goldendog wrote:

The thing with a big set (4" king) and a board with a big square (say, 2-1/2"), AND a big border is that it becomes uncomfortable reaching repeatedly to the back ranks while you play over games or set up and play through positions. It really can be a stretch. That's another reason I like simple and minimal frames, especially for the big boards.

Thanks for that tip!

Really something to take into account.

I really enjoy minimalistic, design, so I would have gone (will go) for a board with a small and simple border. However I might have run into a board (might run into a board) that is all I want but has a big border/frame. Now I know that there are more drawbacks to it than just aesthetics.

Gomer_Pyle

Mar 12, 2009

0

#23

paul211 wrote:

Can you be more specific and tell us which post and by whom is the nicest set you have seen, already many bpostshere with pictures of chess sets?

I believe he was talking about Daniel's pictures in post #7. I also think it's a very nice set.

seasterl

Mar 12, 2009

0

#24

2.5" is the most common for nice custom boards and I find it ideal for 4" pieces. It also works for 4.4" pieces. As someone probably mentioned above, the minimum square size is found by dividing the diameter of your king by 0.78. However, most nicer boards are usually 2.5". I have the HOS 4" Centurion set and they are perfect for the 2.5" squares. I also have some of their 4.4" pieces and they are just fine with 2.5" squares.

Daniel: I love the Imperator kings that you have. I special-ordered a collection of just knights in the 4 1/4" Imperator series for boxwood, golden rosewood, rosewood, and ebony to have as a collection. Since the wood colors match well, I can substitute these into my HOS 4.4" sets if I want. I love the alert look on the horse's ears. The HOS Centurion series are very similar and are now at close-out prices and dirt cheap on Ebay. Get some before they're all sold out if you like that design.

seasterl

Mar 12, 2009

0

#25

For custom boards made in the USA, this guy does extremely good work and will build anything you can think of. Give him a shout.

http://sites.google.com/site/joelwillcwc/Index/showroom

For a site that sells the Imperator series pieces, check out http://www.chessusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=22-V56&Category_Code=CRBCP&Product_Count=28

... and for the HOS Centurion reduced-price (or go on Ebay!),... http://houseofstaunton.com/Store/product_name=The+Centurion+Series+Chess+Set+-+4.0+inch+King/exact_match=exact/user-id=/password=

goldendog

Mar 12, 2009

0

#26

A rosewood Collector II (essentially the same as a Centurion) sold for <$70 on ebay inc. shipping recently. With a burlwood box.

Great deals out there.

mjdl

Apr 12, 2009

0

#27

Daniel,

The Chess Piece (the retailer from whom you purchased the pieces) recommends a square size of 2 1/8".

I would think that 2 1/4" - 2 3/8" would look and play best.

- Michael

gumpty

Apr 12, 2009

0

#28

Reb, you are right, in England whenever you play in a tournament, all the sets, clocks, scoresheets are provided. Why is it in America they do not provide them? it seems strange to have to take your own, and i can imagine it can cause upset too, especially if both players want to use their own set/clock and not their opponents! why dont they just change to providing them? In England a lot of the time, if there is a bookstall at the tournemant, the bookstall will provide use of sets out of his stock, and in exchange will not be charged for his 'pitch' for the weekend.

NM TheOldReb

Apr 12, 2009

0

#29

gumpty wrote:

Reb, you are right, in England whenever you play in a tournament, all the sets, clocks, scoresheets are provided. Why is it in America they do not provide them? it seems strange to have to take your own, and i can imagine it can cause upset too, especially if both players want to use their own set/clock and not their opponents! why dont they just change to providing them? In England a lot of the time, if there is a bookstall at the tournemant, the bookstall will provide use of sets out of his stock, and in exchange will not be charged for his 'pitch' for the weekend.

The chess supplies arent provided in US tournies ( most of them anyway ) simply because there is no support for chess in the US like there is in Europe. As for both players wanting to use their own equipment the rule is that the player with black has choice IF his equipment meets tournament specifications. However, if the player with black is late to the game and his opponent is on time he forfeits that right. What usually happens in US tournies that I played in is that whoever arrives first for the game sets up his set and clock and the other player usually does not object. There are ofcourse a few exceptions. There have been a few tournies I have played in Europe though in which I wish I had taken my own set ! I recall one in Mondariz Spain where the cheap plastic pieces I was playing with were not even all from the same set ! They were from 3 ( at least ) different sets ! Needless to say....... I have NOT been back to this particular tournament.

gumpty

Apr 12, 2009

0

#30

Reb wrote:

gumpty wrote:

Reb, you are right, in England whenever you play in a tournament, all the sets, clocks, scoresheets are provided. Why is it in America they do not provide them? it seems strange to have to take your own, and i can imagine it can cause upset too, especially if both players want to use their own set/clock and not their opponents! why dont they just change to providing them? In England a lot of the time, if there is a bookstall at the tournemant, the bookstall will provide use of sets out of his stock, and in exchange will not be charged for his 'pitch' for the weekend.

The chess supplies arent provided in US tournies ( most of them anyway ) simply because there is no support for chess in the US like there is in Europe. As for both players wanting to use their own equipment the rule is that the player with black has choice IF his equipment meets tournament specifications. However, if the player with black is late to the game and his opponent is on time he forfeits that right. What usually happens in US tournies that I played in is that whoever arrives first for the game sets up his set and clock and the other player usually does not object. There are ofcourse a few exceptions. There have been a few tournies I have played in Europe though in which I wish I had taken my own set ! I recall one in Mondariz Spain where the cheap plastic pieces I was playing with were not even all from the same set ! They were from 3 ( at least ) different sets ! Needless to say....... I have NOT been back to this particular tournament.

Most of the smaller tournys i play in are organised by chess clubs, the have one per year, usually to make a bit of cash to keep the club going. They hire a venue, pay an arbiter, then taske enough in entry fees to cover overheads, pay out prize money and hopefully a little profit too. This goes on nearly every weekend throughout the year . In these smaller tourns (

HoldemRulzOK

Apr 12, 2009

0

#31

Reb wrote:

The set pictured is not likely to be taken to tournaments ! I certainly would not take one of my better sets to a tournament. Is the US the only country where players take their own sets, clocks to use in tournaments ? In most of Europe these are supplied, as well as score sheets. Canada ? Australia ? Africa ? Asia ? I dont know about any of these places.... help ? I also dont play blitz on my better sets, I use plastic pieces for blitz and one really old wooden set I bought second hand 30 years ago that was already banged up from blitz play when I got it.

Here in Australia all chess sets, clocks and scoresheets are supplied by the tournament organiser for all weekend and day tournaments. As far as I know all Aussie clubs also supply the equipment for weekly games on club nights. The more organised (or generous) tournament organisers even supply pens so all you really need to do is turn up.

I've also got a number of nice (and expensive!) sets that I'd never dream of playing blitz on however I do use them to analyse games and study. I love the feel of playing and analysing with wooden pieces. For blitz and rapid games that's what the mass produced cheapo plastic sets are for.

I've got a weakness for a nice chess set, very difficult not to buy it when I see one in a display cabinet of a shop. I've got 5 sets proudly on display in my house including a nice table set (board has its own legs) that my grandmother bought my father back in the 70s.

seasterl

Apr 13, 2009

0

#32

paul211 wrote:

I support post # 22 by goldengog about the minimal border size as I have a 4" king, staunton pieces, and 2 boards with 2 1/4" squares. The border on one board is 1/2" and on the other board 2 1/8".

I prefer the board with the 1/2" border, the board with the larger border requires me to stretch my arm 1 5/8" move the pieces on the opposite side.

I also recommend to have a chess table and chair to put your board on, so that you are confortable.

You can build your own chess table to match the height and dimensions that fit your anatomy best. Or you can have one built for you, or you can buy one with legs longer than you need and later on when you know the exact height from the floor that you prefer, you can simply cut the legs down to the desired height.

Regarding the table, I found a small, square dining room table on sale for a mere $99 at World Market. The table is dark-colored, simple, and built as if to hold several hundred pounds (not that it's needed). If you look a chess table or a game table, you'll end up paying more. If you look for a small, square dining room table, you'll get much more for your money. It's all about marketing!

Rishi9

Jan 9, 2014

0

#33

Has anyone tried a chess set where the king base is 1.46 inch and the square size is 1.75 inch. That would be 83% of square size, would pieces appear too crowded on a board like this ..

Gomer_Pyle

Jan 9, 2014

0

#34

Rishi9 wrote:

Has anyone tried a chess set where the king base is 1.46 inch and the square size is 1.75 inch. That would be 83% of square size, would pieces appear too crowded on a board like this ..

I think it would be too crowded for my taste but a lot depends on how tall the pieces are. Taller pieces will look more crowded than shorter pieces with the same size bases. I would probably want 2 inch squares for that set. I spent too many years playing on a board that was much too small for my set. Now I have a board that's probably a little too large for my set according to most people's preferences. I enjoy having all that space compared to the cramped board I used to use.

Everybody's taste is different and you'll have to eventually decide if it seems too crowded to you. Before I bought a real board I printed out 3 or 4 boards on paper and tested them with my set. I was lucky that I had access to a large plotter. You might be able to rig something similar to try out before buying a board.

baddogno

Jan 9, 2014

0

#35

I agree with Gomer, a 2" square board would be perfect for that set. I actually have such a setup with 1.5" base king and a 2" square board and it looks great. Think you'll be unhappy with a 1.75" but some folks like a crowded board so who knows?

goldendog

Jan 9, 2014

0

#36

The old standard USCF Special (plastic) has a 1.5" base and is very well suited for a 2-1/4" board.

I have a pic of a 3" king (maybe 1.25" base?) on a 1-3/4
board--I wouldn't want to get any tighter than that, for sure.

It's my good deal 3" ebony set. Fairly heavy for the size, quality not bad, ebony mostly excellent, c. $15 as I recall back a handfull of years ago. Made the board myself. Just to have something for the set. Just a cobble-together thing.