FIDE Official World Chess Set - changed?

That’s too bad.  I’ve been interested in this set for the last couple of years.  Partly because of the hype about it’s design and probably mostly because it was the set used in the last three world chess championships.  The look of the knight also grew on me.  What’s kept me from buying the official FIDE set however has been the price.  Every time I check it’s $300.  I’d probably have bought it at $200.  Now?  Not so sure.

Guys, if anyone is still interested on how royalchessmall replica is/was (and Knight's looks), you can check out this video I made with my own (in Spanish, I couldn't yet translate subtitles but it may autotranslate CC)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jtmvB0iesE

Especially after reading RegencyChess post above I find it hard to work out what the original design of Daniel Weil was (he surely did not change it from one edition to the next?), who is authorised to manufacture official FIDE sets, and under what license arrangement with Fide are companies like HoS making "replicas"? Are they perhaps obliged to make slight changes to avoid copyright infringement? I thought one of the claims to fame of Weil's design was that it was manufactured in England by Studio Anne Carlton and NOT in India?

Can someone who knows explain?

Talking about videos what do people here think about Weil's "Chess Notes" using this set?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AopE_LOpP0 

My choices are better . . .

DENVER

I (somewhat) agree with the thinking behind the creation of "standardized" set of equipment for top professional play, however, I've always thought the official FIDE set is just plain ugly, especially that knight, which is probably the ugliest chess piece I've ever seen, in any set. I'm not sure why FIDE wouldn't just go with a standard/classic Staunton design.

P.S. I don't mean to offend those who like or own this set; I have seen several reputable people (like Izmet) say the knight is one of the most beautiful they have ever seen; different strokes I guess.

Having briefly owned this set I can say that the knight "reads" much better in person than in picutres... It's also possible that the knight's design has "evolved" slightly since the original 2013 set but the jury is still out on that!

I can say that when the knight in front of you it looks well balanced and solid and I found it quite handsome.

K

That's true of the HOS version as well.

Several emails later and the official World Chess store refuse to answer which set they'd be sending me - the new limited edition in the black packaging or the older version with the white slip cover.

They replied to one email and said that all the sets were all the same and only the slip cover is different (which is understandable) but then pointed me to a picture of the older white cover as an example of the "new" limited edition set.  I asked them to verify this because they were showing an image of the "limited edition" cover on their website (shown earlier in this thread) but were telling me the original packaging was the limited edition that they were selling. There was no reply to three follow up emails trying to get a response to this quesion.

Worldchess has since removed the image of the limited edition pacakaging from their store.

So we know a couple of things. WorldChess.com's store has terrible pre-sale customer service and also that they're selling the same sets as every other retailer as limited editions but there is nothing to identify them as such. No new packaging, no revised manufacturing/design - not even a limited edition certificate! The entire concept of a limited edition appears to be nothing more than baseless marketing hype.

My advice to anyone interested in this set would be to avoid buying from worldchess altogether and order from chessbaron.com (who has free shipping worldwide) or anyone else who's carrying the official set. 

I've already purchased and returned one set that had stablity issues with the white bishops and the entire experience with worldchess left a bad taste in my mouth. As much as I like the design of this set there are lots of sets in this price range that are outstanding so I've decided to take my money elsewhere.

K.

p.s. I'm leaning towards a Rejkjavic II set but HOS is having a St. Patrick's day sale with 15% off plus free shipping so I might spring for the Pawn Sacrifice version. It has a little better craftsmanship plus the and is a little lighter (which I like.) There's still a few days to decide...

@grownupboy, that's unfortunate to hear. It's a shame that the details about the set are so hard to get. I'm also interested in this topic, but new information has been hard to get. Here's what I've found so far:

1. According to the current World Chess site, they claim to only make 500 sets per championship cycle, not per year. So, I suppose any official set sold by World Chess can be considered "limited" in either case, but especially so if it's per cycle.
2. I've confirmed with the current managing director at SAC (Studio Ann Carlton, now owned by Ancestors of Dover Limited) that they are not affiliated with the World Chess set. Although I'm one of the few who actually likes the design, I was especially intrigued by the possibility that it was made by an independent and distinguished manufacturer like SAC, rather than by the usual firms in India.
3. It's true that SAC originally partnered with Pentagram and World Chess for the launch of the set, but it's unclear that SAC actually ever made them. What I've gathered from indirect sources is that SAC was only the distributor, and the sets were manufactured in India. Also, the original box in 2013 included a note on the bottom that SAC was the "exclusive distributor," but didn't specify who made them.
4. Confusingly, World Chess support responded that the set is made by Pentagram. To my knowledge, Pentagram (or more specifically, Daniel Weil) is the designer, not the manufacturer.
5. I've also been told by a knowledgeable source (not World Chess or SAC) that the manufacturer is in India and has not changed. Regency Chess earlier in this thread also stated as much.
6. As for the design, I couldn't confirm what has changed since the 2013 debut, but there do seem to be slight variations over the years. Also, I'm told that it now has four queens, more stable packaging (original inner construction allowed the pieces to become dislodged from the placeholders), new slip cover (black now, not white), and other "improvements."

For what it's worth, I bought the House of Staunton version in December, but returned it after I decided that I wanted a more traditional set. However, the build quality was superb, heavier than expected (over 47 oz), and stable (no wobbling Bishops that you experienced). It was on sale for $99, and I tried to reorder it recently, but was told that it was a limited run and may return later. Like you, I'm tempted to get the official World Chess version, but $320 including international shipping might be too much of a splurge for a non-primary set. I really wish someone who has purchased one recently would post their thoughts on here.

Hey Maxfinis! Thanks for commenting!

I had a TERRIBLE experience with worldchess over this set but they finally did confirm in writing that the sets they're selling on their site are not in any  way limited editions but are the same old versions with the white slip covers that have been sold all along. There was a lot of back and forth and childish behavior from their support team before a senior support person finally gave me a straight answer but it is what it is...

From what I saw during the brief period that I had the set - the knights have definitely evolved from the very first version and appear to be more solid looking and don't give the impression of being emaciated in any way. That's a good thing. The wobbling bishops however are another story! That just tells me quality control is a problem during the addition of the weights. But whatever the cause there's no reason any pieces should wobble on a set this expensive. 

Since returning my FIDE set I picked up a couple different sets including a lovely Cooke reproduction from Official Staunton and a Chavet 90s repro from Chess Bazaar. The Official Staunton set has a 3.5 inch king and the set is incredible and just about perfect in every way. The ChessBazaar set is oddly wonderful too - and is quickly becoming my "daily driver."

All this back and forth with chess sets it got me to thinking... You can't really go by what you see on the sites that sell these sets. Variations creep in and are not always reported pre-sales. I might just start a chess set review channel and cover these sets and a bunch of other chess gear I've picked up along the way!

Will definitely make an announcement here when that's ready to go!

K.

I am a proud owner of genuine set, bought from ChessBaron back in November 2017. Go for official set, trust me, you will be happy and it is worth to pay few bucks more, because every reproduction of the set is not that cheap either (none of them under 100$ I guess) and also quality is very questionable. With the real thing, you get genuine box, certificate and It is such a beautiful allround package, worth showing off. 

I'd defintiely recommend chessbaron for anyone interested in a genuine set. he has free shipping and baron is super friendly and helpful!

I bit the bullet and bought it from Chess Baron. With free shipping and Baron's very helpful support, it was a no brainer to buy it from him rather than from World Chess. Shipping was fast, but got hung up in customs for four days because of some new Toxic Substance Control Act (US). I had to call UPS to verify that it was natural wood (not particle board) before it was finally released. For what they're worth, here are my thoughts.

Pros:

• Aesthetically, I love this set. The design is thoughtful, and the understated elegance appeals to me. I'm not sure that I'd have this as my only set, but it's a very nice complement to my other more traditional Staunton sets.
• I like that the pawns are substantially taller and larger. I always thought that Jaques-style pawns were scaled a little too short. This is why I also like the newer Camaratta designs, like his Sinquefield sets.
• The bases are a bit narrower and more uniform than other 3.75" sets, and so fits nicely on 2" squares, which is my preference. I don't expect to play much blitz with this, so the snug fit is preferable for me.

Cons:

• The build quality is poor. Three of the white pawns have major stability issues. Because the weights weren't installed flush with the bottom, they wobble like crazy.
• Three other pieces have loose weights that rattle and click every time I pick them up.
• All four bishops' mitres are cut poorly and unevenly. See photos.
• The contours of the knights are rough, as if left unfinished. I can see the chisel marks on the chests.
• The felts are unlike other felts/baizes I've seen. They arrived frayed and fuzzy, sticking out from several of the pieces.

I confirmed with Baron Turner that he buys these directly from World Chess and that they are of recent stock. He's been very helpful and responsive, so I'm hoping to get replacement pieces for the six pieces with the most issues. Whoever manufactures these should be ashamed of themselves. If I didn't like the design so much, or if it weren't for Baron's great customer service, or if it weren't for the hassle of shipping overseas, I would return the whole thing. In December I had bought House of Staunton's version of this set, and I don't remember having any of these build issues with that set. Based on this experience, and from World Chess's (official producer of this set) less-than-helpful customer service, I'm really starting to wonder about their priorities.

Man, those are significantly worse than the set I returned a couple months back. I had a couple wobbly bishops but the finish quality was spot on... Shame to see them go so far downhill so fast...

I have to confess that I find the official Fide set hideous. The design lacks all harmony, just like the clumsy EGT pieces.

IMPO I'ld rather choose German Knight Set. I don't get why fide choosed to deviate with this strange design. 

See, I'm one of the people that actually likes the design... But there's no excuse for poor craftsmanship in a set that costs this much! 

German knights sets are great... and I'm loving the CB 90's Chavet lately too!

K.

I think at this point, I've about given up on this set. I emailed Baron Turner about the issues, and his response was less than sympathetic, saying that the set was inspected, they're fine, all of these sets are the same, and that I would have to pay for return shipping. Now debating whether to go through the cost and hassle of shipping it back. I like the design enough that if it were for just one or two issues I would keep it, but with the wobbly pawns, three other pieces with loose weights, and the four rough-cut bishops that my eyes keep going to, I think I'll try to recoup as much of the $279 I can. I really do like this design, and I even considered buying directly from World Chess, until I heard stories about how long delivery from WC takes. In the meantime, if anyone knows how I could get this set elsewhere in reasonably good condition, I would appreciate any feedback. 

Wow, in all honesty, I was very lucky with my set from ChessBaron! This looks disgusting! Those Bishops look like they dont belong anywhere near the official set, and for the premium price you have paid, you would expect nothing but the very best I am sure. Disgusting even from Baron himself that he said set was inspected. I mean, just look at the Black Knight. It looks like it has a knock and as if it was 20 years used. FFS. You must ask for a refund or fight for replacement. How did you pay for item? Paypal? Try customer care. This is not acceptable. I hope you solve your problem soon.