Best plastic sets!

Plastic sets are usually thought of as being tough and functional rather than particularly aesthetically pleasing. However, I picked up this lovely weighted Soviet set recently, which I reckon is 50's or 60's. If anyone else has any interesting plastic sets, post away!

Plastic sets have traditionally had a bad rep, thanks to most of them ... sucking big time. Low quality, unweighted, slipshod plastic pieces are a dime a dozen to this very day. It's all but impossible to re-sell them at a decent price here in Europe e.g., because 95% of plastic sets available today here are of the cheap and nasty variety.

Chiming in with your post, I myself purchased a rather nice Eastern European set, a plastic version of the Ceska Clubocka set, a while ago. While old Soviet plastic sets are widely available on Etsy, Czech ones are few and far between:

These are from the 1980s.

Of the modern plastic sets, I kind of like the Ultimate Chess Set and the Legend Alegria sets a lot, both are high quality. I don't think they'll tip the balance in the perception of plastic sets here in Europe though.



 

Romanian set gifted by generous buddy Radu, still haven't got around to fill up the hollow space with lead and wood filler but it has lot potential.

I am not sure these are functional but I find them aesthetically pleasing - albeit, I understand that others may not see them as attractive. At least they fall into the plastic category. 😉

In my opinion, the clear winner is the old Drueke Player's Choice set from the 1970s/80s.  Such a perfectly proportioned set, that House of Staunton makes a reproduction in wood.  How many plastic sets have inspired carved wood reproductions?

I’m adding this no name set to the mix. It is well proportioned, very lightly weighted and the finish is ok … seams are visible but the colour of the white pieces is lovely. They look ok, I reckon. (Apologies for the colour difference in photos - taken at different times of day with different light.)

Quick plastic game this morning before my son went to school. Almost missed the school bus!

I love the Legend Alegria pieces, but I can't justify the postage/import costs to the UK for what is at the end of the day still "just" a plastic set, sadly.

If I had thought about it a bit better I would have got a set when I was over there earlier this year, but it didn't occur to me until I got back.

         I have a  dozen of this plastic club sets . . .    

I know that it's modern, but I'm really partial to the HoS sets. Although the no-name single weighted sets in the "American club style" are pretty nice (the plastic version of this type of set). At first I hated the look, but it kind of grew on me (probably because that's what I use for my school's chess club. The plastic version, not the wooden ones). They're incredibly durable, especially when the precious little darlings decide to throw the pieces (the club is for a high school, mind you).

As far as interesting ones, I will echo the other gentlemen and say that the Legend Algerian pieces look amazing.

I'd also like to get a plastic set, someday, with bishop and queen having offset colors on them (similarly to the Eastern European sets shown above).

I hope this thread keeps going: I have a soft spot for the plastic pieces.

I'm fortunate enough to own both the Ultimate V3 and Legend Alegria --- in my opinion, it doesn't get any better for plastic sets --- both are amazing.

https://www.houseofstaunton.com/dgt-smart-electronic-chess-pieces-3-8-king-height-black-white.html

Best plastic pieces in my opinion!  I don't own electronic board or electronic pieces, but what I do own is those exactly same pieces only non electronic version number 6 size which is ideal for 2.25 inch size boards and number 5 for 2inch boards.

Really nice quality pueces best all around in my opinion and they are dgt branded, can take it to tournament play or just coffee chess play.

The only thing I don't like about those pieces is sharp edges(crown) on queen , but if you don't play blitz like every single game , that should be fine.

I think the weighting is just lacking in the DGT plastic pieces. For a kid, maybe, but as an adult I need something more substantial. Hence my recommendation is for either the Legend Alegria or the Ultimate Chess sets.

I have the DGT plastic pieces. I agree that they could be a pinch heavier. I really just wish the knight wasn't so simple and dopey looking. Otherwise it's a great set.

I've always wanted to make a set, but never had the time or resources.

Ajedrez "Mi Alegría". "Mi Alegría" Chess set.