is this set gorgeous or what

too expensive. and id say no becuse i do not support the ivory trade. if you must, find something cheap and make sure the original was expensive. or it might be illigal ivory

I wouldn't have it.

The bases ae too bloated and I don't like chamfering. The stems are a little thick yet the headpieces of the queen and rook are unaesthetically constrained. The rook is terrible for this.

When it comes to chess-piece design K & Q must stand out triumphant.

Over-elaboration of knights and rooks without paying attention to this leads to failure.

what

There all right, but could be veiny. I'd rather have a closer look... I am particular about the size of the spouts too...

It is very nice but my eyes can't really focus on the knights. (Are the knights fuzzy are they even shown?)   Plus I would really like to rub a coat of wax/oil on that set to see how they look after.  

Somebodysson, I like the elongated queens in that set.  There is something about the bases I don't really like though.  I like a base that just sort of ends.  But overall I would say its a beauty.  

As to whether you will find a better set on ebay that depends on whether there is a particular cut of a certain piece that you really like.  If there is not one or 2 particular things about the set that you really really like you will probably find similar on ebay for less.  

I spent so much time looking at chess sets that I freely admit I am a bit looney about the things I like in the way the pieces are carved.    If there is something in particular you like, you may want to tell the seller so that he can grab a set that definitely has that quality.    

thanks everyone. House of Chess does indeed have great prices, I didn't know of them,  and chessbazaar too, fantastic prices.

Baddoggno, could you give me the link for the susan plgar sets? I tried doing a search for susan polgar chess set, polgar chess set, polgar house of staunton chess set, on ebay.com and got nothing. I'd like to see what you're talking about. 

and niceforkingmove, thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it. I'm starting to go looney too, but I still find this particular set unbelievable gorgeous, but the chessbazaar prices are insanely attractive; has anybody here bought from chessbazaar?

I bought a little 3" ebony set from chessBazaar a few years ago for the princely sum of $45 delivered.  I needed to replace a truly execrable set that came with a box folder I'd picked up for less than $20.  The knights are from the well known "Great Dane" school of canine knight design, but come on, $45 for an ebony set?  FedEx had them here in about 2 weeks and they were nicely packed for the journey.  Did I spend an hour with the Dremel tool buffing them up to my standards?  Sure, but then I'm nuts and did the same thing to my HOS Sheffield.  There are always going to be people who have had a bad experience with a vendor, but I think his Ebay satisfaction score is over 99%.  Considering how picky chess players can be, he must be doing something right.  I'll go round up some Ebay links for you...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171160833720?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171161640268?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/House-of-Staunton-Wood-Weighted-Staunton-Chess-Set-and-board-/310784652401?pt=Games_US&hash=item485c

I can't find the $500 Polgar set, maybe someone bought it?  Keep in mind that not every American seller is willing to ship internationally, but happy browsing.

the knights have mad cow disease OP.  i wouldn't get the set

I think HOS might have changed the name of the Polgar set to the Leicester.  If you remember the Polgar set take a look.

thank you very much baddogno. thanks for the links. 

they renamed the $500 susan polgar one "imperial", but it says susan polgar on the box.  yep, that's a hefty chunk out of that pawn collar. You'd think they would get it replaced if they really expect five big ones for it!

Mr_Tarkanian wrote:

What about this set???

 

No wonder Natalia is so good at chess...

I am saying she is well abreasted for chess games...

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow, yes, the devil is in the details. Sure enough, the nice susan polgar set that is still completely bargain price will not ship out of USA and the seller will not budge on that. Hmmm.

It is a nice set however, for my taste, the Knights don't seem of the same slim-line approach and the Queen seems too light.

I still like Natalia's better...

at this point I think its up to the individual reader which 'set' we're talking about, and both seem pleasurable to ponder.