A well versed, in-depth review, there isn't much left to say but thanks for the detailed review which is highly deserved with your frank and straight forward delivery. Great job MT!
Chessbazaar Reproduces a Masterpiece!
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Congrats! It is a gorgeous set, and I especially like the "elementary look" of the knights. I've purchased this set in an antique version & I think above all, I am struck by its beautiful simple design with optimum weight and exemplary size of the pieces. I don't like very elaborated knights or even kings, so overdone luxury sets have never appealed to me. I've always admired the plain & simple kings & queens, devoid of religious iconography & most of the Soviet styles sets including this repro is the perfect example of that. This is one of the best reproductions from chess bazaar and I'd like to congratulate their team for all the efforts they have put into this reproduction. I could not be more pleased. I wish I could have white color in my collection as well, but it's not feasible for me to shell out more money at least for now.
I'm going to refer anyone interested to Goodknight Mike's wonderful thread entitled "Chessbazaar's 1940 Soviet Club Set" for fantastic photos of this set,which came to me yesterday.......I just finished scrupulously checking out all of my pieces,after giving them 24 hours to acclimate to my house environment,after the delivery.I do this with any new acoustic guitars(good for the wood) so I figured why not play it safe here.
First off-- I HATE checking out 34 new chess pieces! I've bought about 14 sets in the last 18 months and loathe the checking out process.Basically,I scrutinize every detail with a high power light,as I have(like others) had issues in the past......Past,being the operative word...and...each issue had been completely resolved.
I received the NEW VERSION Chessbazaar 1940 Reproduced Soviet set after about a 6 week back order.....No problem,as I have plenty of other sets and after seeing this "treasure of a set" today I am here to predict Chessbazaar won't be able to produce these fast enough! I wish i could say that I am at a loss for words(because these pieces are literally beyond stunning) but then I could not wax poetic and CB deserves not a hand clap,but a huge standing ovation for these masterpieces! I mean...MASTERPIECES!!!
The finish and quality of manufacture blew me away,as I actually was enjoying spending the time checking out every nook and cranny on them.Over an hour,when I really wanted to be practicing my guitar.....HA!
First off--These were packaged in such a way(unlike the other CB sets I'd gotten) that as soon as I saw it,there was little doubt there would be issues...There were none! Great packaging of there pieces CB....Do so on all your sets and guaranteed to solve many problems down the road.
The gloss lacquered pieces look like fine china or "yes" the fine looking finishing on a Lladro figurine!
Quality wise(and I am not exaggerating) like the finishing of a proof coin!
I remember how happy I was(still am) when I received my stunning/flawless Official Staunton 1849 Antique Staunton lacquered pieces,last Christmas...They were/are beyond flawless.....Well,Chessbazaar has easily matched that degree of perfection.....
I remember Goodnight Mike's statement(correctly so,as is almost anything he describes or recommends) "If you have to have only one quality set,let this be the one"(his description of the Official Staunton Limited Edition Lacquered Antique set)...That description goes for this set as well...but...I'll take it a bit farther....If you'd like TWO STUNNING AND PENULTIMATE SETS,these are the ones to have! The best thing is you won't be breaking the bank and I don't know how Chessbazaar can keep these prices so low on this museum quality 1940 Soviet set....Well,almost beyond words...You get the idea-