How Many Chess Sets Do You Need?

Do tournaments need to be rated to count as chess tournaments?

I have one

Vishy owns none.

Vishy owns none.

Anyone else than a collector: 2 should suffice; 1 higher quality to play at home, another easier to move/portable to play on the move. I have wooden set to play at home and basic plastic set for the road, though I'm been thinking to upgrade my portable set to silicon board and weighted plastic pieces

hsong, is there something wrong with owning a lot of chess sets?

Yeah - I haven't been playing tournaments very long.  About two tournaments a month since I started playing seriously back in March.   I don't know how often you travel,  but in my homebody life,  twice a month is frequent.

0 (in the UK tournaments and clubs supply them).  Also I understand that you can actually play chess online :p

Well, this is the beauty of a free country.  We all have individual freedom of choice whether to own a little or a lot, depending on our tastes and proclivities.

As a player that owns a good number of sets, I can tell you that the point for me is enjoyment.  I really enjoy playing chess with the different designed sets and board combinations.

Now, you may or may not feel that same enjoyment where someone else would, and that's alright.  "To each his own", is a phrase in this country that means each person can, and should, be able to have that which they choose to have. 

I bet there are some things you spend time and/or money on that others might not.

Ron most of the people who chime in and insinuate that buying chess sets as we do is silly, collect absolutely nothing. They are young and grew up in the internet age. Playing expensive video games is their only hobby. They read ebooks where I still like to hold a book in my hands and read it. SOme exceptions to the rule yes, but my kids and grandkids collect nothing. Back in the 50;s when I grew up every kid no matter how poor collected at minimum baseball cards.  We managed to save up 5¢ here and there to buy a pack. Ah that cardboard like gum was the best!!

You're right, Mike.  I just think that the people that collect nothing ought to be understanding of those that do.  I would like to think I am explaining how I see things so others can understand and see what I see.

A friend of mine has over ten guitars.

That's fine.

Check out the New American series at thechesspiece.com. It appears to come close to what you're looking for.

Thanks for the photos. The Knight looks great, it's hair is not bad and I like how the theeth show. The bishop's cut isn't like the one I like, this one is too thin. All the other pieces look thin and I don't care for the Knob on the Rook.

I will find it. Maybe. Thanks Gomer.

DENVER

Hi 1st post on here (only in last few months started taking chess more seriously) I was drawn in by this post. I've been looking at lots of sets with fascination.

Having a nicely weighted set, made of Ebony and white wood (boxwood, often) with leather pads is nice. My 'prized' set is by a British company called Studio Anne Calton (SAC). They no longer make these sets but it is a staunton set like the Fischer vs Spassky sets.

This is my 'luxury set' for indulgence. Its nice to play with a quality set.

Then I have a SAC 'Isle of Lewis' set. Perhaps one of the oldest sets in the world; that may have been used to play chess by the modern rules? This set is for historical interst, aesthetic appeal and also I will admit to liking all things 'British' (this set was found in Isle of Lewis, Scotland).

So one for historical value, although I prefer to play with a staunton set.

A plastic cheap(ish) tournament set with a vinyl board with numbers. So I don't wear/damage the nice set during analysis/taking it about with me .

7" folding wooden Staunton magnetic travel set. For if I'm going away with people that play chess (nice to have a wooden set).

Saitek Travel expert: portable 'travel, 2000ELO rated travel computer. I rarely beat it, even on the lower levels. When I'm stying away and can't guarantee to find an opponent.

Saitek Explorer pro, 2000 + ELO desktop chess computer. I prefer pushing pieces (even if relativly small and plastic) to playing on the PC.

I would like a slightly less posh staunton (or similar) set. Possibly from HoS, as they seem to make lovely sets. Something that looks similar to a staunton (so piece recognition doesnt take up half your effort), St George? Mammoth Ivory (If I had the cash...certainly).

That makes 7. Could then use on each day of the week. :)

If I had the cash and the space I probably would collect. I'd love an original Ivory (red and White) Jaques of London set (I'm a London boy!) just don't have the thousands of pounds needed to buy it :(

How ever many chess sets you have or think you should have....play chess, enjoy chess and if so inclined, enjoy collecting chess sets.

I have one set. What a (sarcastically) humble statement.

I probably need another, though, for bughouse/basque/analysis/etc.

@Gomer_Pyle- cool photos

As I said before, at the moment I only own one set. But I have been searching for a great thematic set. Anyone knows where to buy one with low shipping costs to me?

In my teenage years and even through the duration of my first marriage, I owned as many as three sets. None were tournament quality. I bought my first tournament set after my divorce. Some pieces are missing from that set now, which has become mixed with more than a dozen sets to create my classroom bag. Thirteen complete sets and matching pieces, but no set is wholly matched.

I left my first tournament set behind at my first tournament and bought a second set. After a couple of years' use, I refelted my second cheap plastic tournament set. It is well-worn today and is notable for thick felt.

When my children started playing in youth tournaments and I started coaching, my collection of cheap plastic sets grew. I also bought better quality plastic sets and a nice wooden set. I have also received several gift sets over the years that are not Staunton design.

As an active youth tournament director, I have acquired the clocks and sets needed to run tournaments where players do not bring equipment. I have two bags always ready to grab and go that together accommodate a tournament of 64 players. I have access to more, including from those that I own, if needed.