Dubrovnik 1950 Reissue

Just received my Dubrovnik 1950 set - only the 4th set ever made, if I'm not mistaken. Only had time for one quick game, and it's indeed a beautiful set to play with. Fischer had a point.

Don't have time for proper photos right now, but here are a few quick shots on different size boards, to give a sense of size/proportions.

Here's the set on a 2" square board:

And here it is on a board w/ 2.125" squares:

And here it is on a board w/ 2.25" squares:

I also have the previous Noj Dubrovnik replica, and in terms of aesthetics, I do prefer this new set by far. The pieces are less pronounced at the base, and the queen and knight in particular look much better. Debatable whether it's worth the premium they are charging, but in the end you're getting superb craftsmanship and a unique set design. Plus, one of the few turned wooden sets commercially available that's not being produced in India, if that matters to you. A big thumbs up from me.

> the 4th set ever made

Nope, I believe this is the set no. 3.

Either you are lucky or have good connections. Granted, you are fast. :)

-Izmet

I like both Dubrov's, but it seems I still favor the original Noj set I own. Sure would appreciate though side by side pics of the queens and knights of the Noj original versus reissue on those particular pieces.

Maybe someone could explain to me why very often with chess sets the top of the bishop's are often from the opposite colour?

Not sure how that got started, but it's a design convention unique to Eastern Europe's adoption of the Staunton pattern. Many Eastern European sets feature the opposite colour Bishop top. I've had people explain to me that it helps players distinguish pawns from Bishops, but really I think it's just an expected design convention in the Balkans and Russia at this point.

I have to say, I absolutely love the reverse bishops of my set. One point, have ya ever got hit by that hiding bishop and lost your queen concentrating on some other move and forgot it was there ? lol :)

Here you go, comparing 4" stained maple original set against new 3.5" Walnut/Maple set:

Thanx Great... Gotta love em both !

Thanks for the information FrankHelwig

As always, thanks for sharing Frank. Beautiful sets indeed!

Great looking set. Thanks.

Thanks for the nice picutres Frank. Are the pieces weighted?

Yes, they are. 

> Are the pieces weighted?

They can be ordered both ways. Mine is not weighted as I wanted it as close to original as possible.

-Izmet

I wasn't aware that was an option. Mine came weighted by default - I'm happy with that, though, as the weighting is not exaggerated, ie the pieces have just the right amount of additional heft.

I like the term "reissue".  Because if it's not patented or copyrighted, and it's exactly the same, well it's not a reproduction is it?  It's just the 2014 edition. 

This set is probably #2 on my all-time most wanted list.  Due to the fame and mystique surrounding it, and it being also the #2 best set of chessmen (ever).

If it's not made by the original manufacturers, I think it has to be called a reproduction. To me, "reissue" implies that an item was made by the same person or firm as the original issue.

What are the sites these sets are at? And the various blogs mentioned here?

Thanks!