Chavet makes lovely sets. Well-crafted, quality materials, beautiful knight. And I think they are still being manufactured in France, rather than in India like the second set you linked to. A Chavet set was used in the 1990 world championship match in Lyon.
Chess pieces in Paris
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I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago, and asked here about a chess shop. I was pointed to Variantes, which has a nice inventory; the clerks were happy to let me handle the sets I was interested in, which had originally been displayed in a glass case, so I could look over what they had quite easily. I ended up buying a small, unweighted Chavet set (size 4). It's simple, but elegant, and feels nice; I particularly like the wood grain in the white pieces, which is quite prominent.
Chavet sets are indeed made in France, at least according to their website.
BaronFelGore wrote:
I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago, and asked here about a chess shop. I was pointed to Variantes, which has a nice inventory; the clerks were happy to let me handle the sets I was interested in, which had originally been displayed in a glass case, so I could look over what they had quite easily. I ended up buying a small, unweighted Chavet set (size 4). It's simple, but elegant, and feels nice; I particularly like the wood grain in the white pieces, which is quite prominent.
Chavet sets are indeed made in France, at least according to their website.
Thanks for the info, im interested to buy it in Variantes too, so my question is, it comes with box, and you know if size 5 with weight comes with box in variantes? size 4 without weight is good in your hands? you feel stability? i have sets in wood without weight that tend to fall in blitz games, how it is? I really appreciate ur opinion. Last question there is without wood grain or its the same wood for every chavet set?
I'm fairly sure the sets are made locally. The manufacturers also sell the sets reasonably cheaply to local clubs, and they are good quality.
Betzero,
I have only used my Chavet set for analysis, not for play, so I'd be hard-pressed to say how stable they are. I did compare against a #4 weighted set when I was in the shop, which was indeed noticably heavier.
The Chavet #4 set I bought from Variantes came packaged in a wooden, Chavet slide-top box; I think all of the ones in that line do, but you should look on the Chavet website to be certain: try here: http://www.morize-sa.fr/ and then >> Catalogue >> Echecs.
As far as the wood grain goes, all of the Chavet sets I looked at in Variantes had similar-looking wood grain; a fairly strong contrast between the grain pattern and the lighter sections of the wood in the light pieces, but very smooth to feel and well-turned.
I'm sorry, I'm in the wrong thread. I thought this had something to do with the Count Basie Orchestra.
Hi, i want to bought a chess set in wood for 50-70 euros in Paris. Can anyone recommend me some good set. I want size 5 (90mm and 50g King aprox.)
I saw a Chavet set 121/5 but im not sure if its good. http://www.variantes.com/pieces-jeu-echecs-classiques/1756-pieces-d-echecs-chavet-plombees-feutrees-n5-01215.html
Another one i like is it: http://www.barondesechecs.com/pieces-de-jeux-d-echecs-staunton-economiques/803-pieces-classiques-staunton-competition-buis-et-buis-teinte-noir-roi-95-cm.html but not sure if its french.
Im interested in a good site to buy it? Anyone to recommend?