Free CHESS SET £500 Value

Greetings fellow wood pushers ! 

Our site www.chessmazeinternational.com is soon to have a complete refurb. So we are looking for content to add.

Basically what is required is at least a 500 word write up about what you look for in a chess set or a set of chess pieces, chessboard and storage boxes etc etc..

then simply repost it on here remembering to add the link; www.chessmazeinternational.com in the content of your write up. 

we will let this post run for at least 6 weeks after which a random winner will be chosen and a set of pieces to the value of £500 will be sent to the lucky winner

Good Luck!!! :) 

Thank's Karl!

Carl,

Your post implies that we would be posting our responses on your webpage first, then reposting here in the forum. If this is the case, where on your website would you like us to post?

Hi Lou

apologies for the confusion; please post on this post/forum 

 

thank you 

Hello chess player

Hi! How are you?

Carl @ www.chessmazeinternational.com

PDQ’s = PRICE + DESIGN + QUALITY + SERVICE

My first consideration is DESIGN. Are the pieces aesthetically pleasing, are they well proportioned? Do I like the woods selected (I pass on ebony and ebonized sets)? Does this set offer me something that I don’t have in one of my current sets? Do I already have a chess board to match this set, or will I need to buy one?

Next is QUALITY. The Quality of the wood, the turning and carving of the pieces, and the quality of the finish. And are the pieces properly weighted and padded? 

Third is SERVICE. Will the company I select stand behind their product? Are they willing to address quality issues expeditiously and without hassle or additional cost?

The final consideration is PRICE. The greatest set in the world does me little good if I can’t afford it. I don’t mind paying a fair price for a high quality chess set, but I expect the DESIGN, QUALITY, and SERVICE to be comensurate with the cost.

Taken together, these factors determine a set’s VALUE. If the PRICE, DESIGN, QUALITY, and SERVICE represents a good value – then I would strongly consider buying the set. If it doesn’t – I wouldn’t.

These same factors also apply to chess boards and storage boxes.

There are a number of details that I look for in Chess Equipment, which includes Chess pieces, boards and storage boxes.

The first thing I look at are the Chess pieces. Of course I do keep in mind the size of the board when deciding on the Chess pieces, but only for proportional sizing of the complete setup. When deciding on Chess pieces there is definitely a set of aspects I want to see in a set that I consider buying.

The first aspect of a set of Chess pieces that I look for is the general design. The Staunton style has been the standard in Western Europe and the United States for many years. So the majority of sets that I consider are of the general Staunton design.

There are a number of different Staunton designs produced from 1849 until the late 1960’s. Some of these sets I find very appealing and some I do not care for, but of course this is a matter of personal taste.

With that though, I look for the size of the pieces, using the King height and base diameter as standard measures. The first thing I decide is whether I am looking for a larger club sized set where the King height is well over 4”, the more standard tournament sized set with the King height being between 3.6” to 4.0”, or a smaller sized set with the King height ranging from about 3.0” - 3.5”. Once this is decided I then proceed to look at the piece details.

I then decide on a wood type or color of the set that I want. Most sets have Boxwood or Maple as the light pieces. For the dark pieces I prefer the Ebonized (black stained) pieces over the Ebony because of brittleness of the wood. Of course there are also the Rosewood varieties that I also enjoy. And there are some very nice sets that have the dark pieces stained in a Mahogany or other type of brown or red. I decide what coloring and woods I am looking for and then proceed.

The Knight is the most complicated part of a Chess set, so I look at the Knight design to see if I find this good. Then I look at the Bishop design, and then the Rook, Queen, King and Pawn in order. Of course I want the pieces to be proportional in both design and size to each other.

I then look at the quality of the workmanship of the pieces. Once again the Knight is the most complicated and will show the quality of workmanship first and foremost. However, the other pieces also will show the quality of workmanship.

I then look at the price of the set. If the price is within a competitive range of other sets with similar designs and quality, then I am happy and will buy the set.

I have found only a few places in the world, mostly on the internet, that handles and sells high quality sets at a reasonable price. One of those places is here, www.chessmazeinternational.com . I actually own 3 sets from this company and I live in the United States while they are in England.

After choosing the pieces I then look to find a board that will match the pieces in both size and coloring. Of course I do not want the dark woods to be an identical match as the pieces will then have a tendency to be lost on the identically colored dark squares. However, I do want the dark squares to match and complement the dark pieces. I also want to see a nice complement with the light colored pieces and the board color.

I then look at the square size. To decide this I take the base diameter of the King and divide the square size into that to give a percentage. I have found that a percentage range of 68% - 77% works best for me. I will look at the size of the pieces as well though. Sometimes a set will look bigger than the King base diameter would predict on a square size. And sometimes it will look smaller. This is where pictures are very handy. Using the above criteria I have really never had a bad piece and board combination.

Finally I look at the storage box to hold the set. For a nice set that stays in my home I look for a nice hardwood box that has enough room to hold the set. Usually there is a lock on the box that prevents the an accidental opening and pieces falling out. I want the hinges on this box and other hardware to be brass or some other good looking metal. Of course I want the box to be able to hold the set that I am buying completely.

Once again I have found www.chessmazeinternational.com to he a good source to shop for and buy all the equipment I want to play a nice game of Chess.

 

 

 

 

wow what a poor turnout? ....i imagined AN avalanche of posts .....:) never mind I guess it seems to good to be true?

Still working on my own response as I definitely want a shot at this sweet prize!

Carl,

Remember, it's quality not quantity that counts!

I too am surprised more people didn't respond. I look at the pieces of a set first. The quality has to be there. I don't want a defective piece. Thats even for less expensive sets. I checked out your site, you have some nice sets. I like leather bottoms on my pieces.

Thats not to say I wouldn't buy anything else, but most sets today don't have real old world craftsmanship. I also like the Staunton design the best, because it is a standard, and you can easily tell the pieces apart. That is very important, and its accepted at tournaments, and looks great. I look at every individual piece. I don't want a chip, nor crack. Its hard to ensure this over the internet. So I want a phone number I can call if I am not satisfied with the purchase. 

The first piece I check is the knight, I have to like its design first. Then the queen, and king. Bishop, and rooks, and pawns all have to look good as well. I am really nitpicky.

I like quality in boards, and storage for the set also. When listing a set you should also show board/squares size, the pieces work best on. Also weights, and dimenisions of all the pieces, what woods, and show each piece separately and together. In other words, if you are selling over the internet, you want your customers to be able to view a set as if they were there themselves, not let them guess.

Most sets cost a few hundred dollars. Vendors today act like thats nothing, but it is, even a dollar is something with me, and I am quite sick of buying something, and getting junk. So a company's customer service, and willingness to ensure the customer is satisfied, is one of the number one reasons I will keep buying their products. I have never done business with you, but I may in the future.

Hi Carl, and all...

My first choice is not really one, but it is the most spontaneous, and enjoyable: it is a "coup de coeur" passionnel.
It is "The" chess set that I must absolutely buy.
The chess game that at first glance, I feel that I absolutely must buy it, because I could not live anymore without it ... (of course, I am aware that it is just an emotion on the moment ;) )

The second choice, more moderate, is for the beauty of the chess pieces, often for the knights, well finished, that pleases the eye... and if the price seems justified: I will not hesitate.

The third choice is the super price, the chess set really cheap and not bad looking ... (In this case, I buy it)

But if we ask ourselves the question about what guides or motivates our choice to "buy or not to buy" (S... ;)  Would not it make sense to speak about money.

If there is no shortage (too much) money when we see chess pieces/board that is "not bad", and not too expensive (100 €),i do not think too much... (well, that would be my reaction)

For chess pieces or chess board that is in the € 200 price (seems to me reasonable) it must meet a balance and be a nice object and I would not be too fussed on quality.

For chess pieces or chess set around € 500 (a serious price for me), then I obviously would be more demanding on quality, and this is an expense that will require some thought.

About objects worth € 1,000 and over (representing a certain amount) it may, in this case, be only for a "love at first sight" ... (see above)

One thing is sure: we're just old kids with more or less money, and what we love most; it is to own few new toys to put in our collection ...

Of course, here is just my opinion ;)

Hello! to all people who recognize themselves here :)

And thank you to Carl, of www.chessmazeinternational.com, for this fun and original "lottery".

(please, forgive my poor English :) )

Hello, Thanks for this promotion.

Here you go Carl, thanks for the little competition - 

 

When purchasing a chess set (pieces/board/storage), whether it is wood or plastic, I strive for the best value I can get. This does not necessarily mean the least expensive - I use the definition of value from Warren Buffett – “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.”

 

For me, the things I look for in any purchase of chess pieces are:

 

• Piece design. There are certain things I look for and certain styles that I do not care for. I enjoy stout looking Rooks, Knights that do not have what I call “zombie” eyes, pieces that are easily distinguished from each other. 
• I obviously want to get the most value for my dollar, which means I am always looking for the overall price when making my decision. When looking at price I include shipping and add that in. Sometimes the shipping makes the price not worth it, sometimes it is well worth it;
• The quality of the pieces plays a big role in my decision. I obviously want the best quality for my dollar, which increases the value that I receive. I have pieces that I purchased when I was young and while the price was not much the quality was such that the overall value is not great. I now am willing to pay more for sets that are high quality. The higher the quality of the set, the more value I end up getting
• Customer service. This is, without a doubt, one of the most important ingredients in the value equation. All of the other factors pale in comparison to customer service. A good customer service experience can make up for a slightly lower score in quality/price/design. I am willing to pay a little more or give repeat business to a company that has a good reputation for customer service or has people I know from experience provide excellent customer service. I have a few that I have dealt with that I will continue to deal with, even if the price is a little bit more than elsewhere.

 

For the other parts of a set, the board and storage, I look for price, quality and customer service. I have had a few pieces that I have purchased in the past that have been less than stellar in quality (not from http://www.chessmazeinternational.com/ or Carl) and they have been replaced with no questions asked, no special hoops I had to jump through. I continue to use them because of this. I know that if something is wrong (and it happens, how it is handled is the key) the issue will be dealt with quickly and my satisfaction is paramount in their actions.

 

I have never purchased from http://www.chessmazeinternational.com/ but I have had dealings with Carl at another company and I know that he stands by his products and provides excellent customer service. I know that if I have an issue it will be handled efficiently and professionally with my satisfaction the ultimate goal.

 

In addition, several very knowledgeable members at chess.com speak very highly of Carl and http://www.chessmazeinternational.com/ so this makes me more likely to purchase from them. I value their opinion as I have bought items based on their recommendations in the past and have been thoroughly pleased with the value I got from the purchase.

 

Thank you so far to all whom have contributed...c'mon guys we need a lot more..

this little competition is for a beautiful set of pieces value £499.00 !! :) 

Thank you for this opportunity to explain what I look for in a chess set. On reflection there is no one chess set that can serve all my needs both aesthetically or practically. Ideally I would require four sets, each for a different purpose. Two tournament sets, a smaller cabinet set & a miniature travel set. Let me explain.

With regards to the two tournament sets the first must have historical relevance either referencing a classic tournament or a great player from the past like Morphy, Fischer, Alekhine, Capablanca or Tal as I want to be reminded of their greatness and fighting spirit when I am battling at the board.

The first set must be aesthetically different to the other three as it embodies my love of the game and appreciation for the rich history of chess. The board shall be light brown, beautifully finished with no blemishes in the wood. It shall be crafted from the finest mahogany or walnut and should be 19 or 20 inch across with the monarch standing at least 3.5 inches tall. Perfect balance of form and function, the board will compliment beautifully crafted Staunton pieces with the eyes of the Knights small, mouth semi open and head horizontal rather than drooping. I am not a fan of the large flamboyant manes and prefer my pieces to be not only smooth but without sharp edges that may damage easily.

Finally to complete this luxurious set I would require a large solid mahogany lockable box, felt lined within which to store the pieces safely. I have no doubt that a collectable set such as this would last a life time and I would take exceptional care of it to ensure that it can be passed onto another enthusiast when my earthly flag eventually drops.

The second set would be a classic tournament set however this would not be for aesthetic enjoyment or indeed for inspiration but for training sessions with my friends. This set would need to be tough and durable as the pieces would sustain added wear during bullet and blitz sessions. I would not be overly concerned about the colour of the board and would expect there to be signs of usage over time. It would not matter whether the pieces were plastic or wooden just as long as they were tough. I looked at your website www.chessmazeinternational.com and admired the Philidor Shesham & Boxwood Chessmen. These pieces look a fine mixture between Staunton and pre-Staunton styles however most importantly they look solid and functional with a sense of individuality and are superb value. People would remember these pieces and not feel intimidated by them.

The third set would be a smaller table set that I would use for deep analysis. Ideally this board would contain a built in cabinet to store my pieces. I would also use a cabinet board for playing and analysis before I go to bed as the cabinet elevates the board nicely. I notice that on your website you have a couple of wonderful Italian sets that do precisely this. A smaller set would be very handy for when tournament pieces do not feel appropriate - analysing in bed certainly being a case in point.

Last but not least the fourth set would be a miniature used for travel and to accommodate extra lines from chess books when used in conjunction with the third cabinet set. A travel board for my purposes would need to be clear, easily portable and magnetic. I am not a fan of the plastic wallets so I would be looking for a small wooden box set. I would hope that the pieces are well made, not too fiddly and that they stay on the board. I would take this travel set with me regularly so it would need to be of reasonable quality.

Anyway thank you for reading my views on chess sets. I enjoyed looking at www.chessmazeinternational and wish you well with the site revamp.

Here is the correct link to your store - http://www.chessmazeinternational.com/ Another thing that would be interesting would be to see new contemporary reinterpretations of the Staunton pieces. A mixture of modern and classic playable sets would be ideal. Although I don't like novelty pieces. There should be new sets designed that reflect the 21st century and the exciting Internet chess age. :)

First thank you for the contest, it is great that all entries have an equal chance of winning and how can anyone pass this up?

 

Since English 101 still gives me nightmares when I took it back in 1968 I was at first hesitant to respond, but hey spelling and grammar does not count, only 500 words or more and writing about what you look for in a chess set and posting a link, so today I will give it a whirl.

 

When a chess set or chess piece package arrives I first look to see how it was packed.  Since no one handles with care except for the seller and the buyer I evaluate if it was thrown 20 feet across the room would any damage come to it.  Of course bubble wrap, couple different layers of card board boxes and foam inserts where the pieces would fit into all help deliver the set without damage.  An extra dollar spent up front for better packaging saves big dollars on the other end shipping extra pieces back and forth.. Also putting the pieces into little plastic baggies adds a nice touch.

When I first look at the pieces and remove each one I do examine to see if it has a flat bottom, protruding weights mean the steel is rusted or not installed properly. Also the felt should be trimmed properly, this only means the artisan doing this took care and pride in their work. Now I look at the overall workmanship of the piece, this is a quick look under good lighting to also check for cracks in the wood that were not caught in the manufacturing process or final inspection. Looking at the top of the pawns tell me if in the process of making the pawn they went an extra step and it does not have a mark on top showing it was turned but has a smooth top with no noticeable marks, that is a sign of high quality to me.  It is also nice to have some type of a certificate or writing about the history of the set if that applies to the set.  Not necessary but a nice touch, and it needn’t be much more than a small brochure or a page printed out.

 

If ordering in a set it is important that the board is secured separately with foam corners or corners that will prevent any damage when banged around.  Same with the chess storage box if ordered.  The box should be well protected in shipping, nothing worse than opening up a package only to find it was damaged in shipping which can be prevented most of the time by great packing.  The storage box should fit the pieces nicely and having a key is also a nice touch so the lid is secure when moving the pieces. Solid wood for both the boards and especially for the box is rare but you can find it if you look hard enough.  Look here first    www.chessmazeinternational.com.   

 

So recapping, great packing and workmanship with a touch of class goes very far. The quality will be remembered long after the price is forgotten.  But that does not mean if you pay less you will get less. Just buy from a reputable place that puts the customer first and foremost.

 

Chess is a great hobby no matter if you collect books, chess sets, or just want to play the game, enjoy the ride!!!!

 

Good luck and happy buying, and most of all enjoy what you buy, smile, you might get more out of life and make others happy.

Congrats to the winner!