HoS Mechanics Institute Chess Set in Indian Rosewood

HoS Mechanics Institute Chess Set

I recently purchased this wonderful Mechanics Institute chess set in boxwood/Indian rosewood from HoS. I know that there are already other good posts regarding this set in chess.com and I am not going to write another long review. I just thought that for someone considering the different wood combinations it might be interesting to see few more photos of the Indian rosewood set. I am personally very happy with my decision to go with Indian rosewood as I feel that it gives the set a bit more "rustic" feel, and I love the grain and depth of the colour on black pieces. 

This is a really robust set that has very heavily weighted pieces. The pieces also have wide bases and it requires a large chess board. (The board in the photos is Jaques of London's mahogany board with 2.5" squares) You should also take the size of the set in count when looking for storage box for it. I originally ordered the slide top box with this set, but it does not fit in it comfortably. 

But now without further ado, here are the photos:

This set comes with three different finials to choose from. I personally like the "flat cap" design (which I also believe the original 1916 pieces had).

For me, the Rooks and Knight are the highlights of this design

Very unique Knights, which remind me of draught horses.

Robust Bishops

Very substantial Rooks

Pawns are heavily weighted and very stable

For storage, this set needs a large box. I am using this Victorian walnut box for it.

In summary, this set is quickly becoming one of my favourite everyday chess set and I highly recommend it in any wood combination for anyone thinking buying one. 

That's a very nice design, although the knight is a little too chunky and also too big compared to the rooks, bishops and pawns for my liking.

Very nice and I love the deep rich red colour of the rosewood. 

The HOS web site pictures show the kings have a cross finial,looks like the flat on the top wasn't removed after comming off the lathe.

No, there are 3 different finials that come with the set.

There is the standard cross that you see pictured on the HoS site.

There also is the flat one that is pictured in this thread.

The third one looks very Eastern Europe in styling.  It is rounded at the bottom and ends in a point.

When the pieces are on the lathe, they have a hole in them, not a flat disc. 

All the finials, including the flat one are removable and they all are finished and polished.

Please post some pictures of all the king tops, so we can all enjoy them.

I wish the pieces were a quarter inch smaller/ they lok oversized when u compare them 

to the pawns

later dudes

gooommbba88

I also own this set in Rosewood and can vouch for the fact that the pawns are not small in comparison to the pieces. Maybe the OP is not catching this in his pictures. These pawns are large and heavy enough to be lethal weapons. The whole set is wonderful to play with.

I always felt the set had a rather whimsical appearance. But why stop there? The addition of the googly eyes gives the knights a bit more personality. Plus, my opponent's knights always seem to be staring at me!

I must confess, I am an apostate. 

King looks like a guy wearing a Pork Pie hat.  Kinda not King-like.

Here is a photo of the three finial options

I completely agree, pawns on this set are nicely proportionate with the rest of the set. They are also very heavily weighted and have wide base. I post below few comparisons with other pawns:

From left to right: Jaques of London full club size pawn from 1916 Marshall type set, HoS 4.4" King - Collector Series pawn, CB 4.5" King - reproduction of 1849 original Staunton pattern pawn, HoS Mechanics Institute chess set pawn, and HoS 3.75" King - Fischer Spassky series pawn

Thank you very much  

This set starts at USD199 and goes up depending on the choice of wood. (Rosewood is USD229). 

Heheheh yes now they really look even more whimsical than they were

Thank you Yes I also think that the depth of colour on rosewood is really beautiful!

I think its a good match with the "rustic" look of the set ….but HoS gives you a choice with more traditional cross included too.

it is a beautiful set. i specifically like the shine of the board. it just is captivating.

I would, except for the fact that they have such a hypnotizing affect on my opponents that I win more games with this set than with any of the other 20 sets I have in my collection!