I'm happy to play on pretty much anything Staunton, but yes, love wood the best. Also enjoy when a player brings a nice set to play with. I'd like to do so myself but seldom go to the toruble. Like the *looks* of a classic wood clock too but think the time controls with delay are worth having. :)
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Robb, I have to wonder how long it has been since you were around a chess club or tournament. For every person that will appreciate the fine wooden pieces there is a @$$hole who takes sheer pleasure in the destruction of anything over five bucks. They feel it adds to their bravado to slam down expensive pieces. Or that chips, cracks, and breaks add "character".
For the private chess clubs and the masters tournaments, sure. But your average chess club (or congress) should stick to plastic in the sheer interest of me keeping my (already going) hair.
But I will agree re: vinyl boards. Plywood boards can be made for less than ten bucks each. No real reason not to have them on hand if the venue is small and going to go through repeated use.
Ya got me there Jack... I don't play money chess anymore. Someone retired me from that some time ago. Moving 4+ wood inchers around at the country club is more me style now or a occasional trip to Saint Louis now and then...
Got to agree with Jack on this one.
I agree with Jack.... however if know the person won't break the pieces then...... give me a wood board and pieces! However I prefer plastic clocks to the wooden ones because of the time delay.
Robb, I know what you mean about the good ol' days. I do not like the silence of digital clocks: I used to love the atmosphere, the intensity, of hearing 20 to 30 clocks all ticking away together. It was the sound bed of tournament play; if it didn't get your blood surging, you weren't cut out to be a tournament player. And plastic and vinyl replacing wood and stone; you new players don't know what chess once was. Thanks, Robb, for giving me a forum to vent a little.
Over here in the Netherlands the tournaments provide the material. I've played two tournaments last summer. One tournament used wood pieces on plastic boards and dgt 2010 clocks and dgt boards for the top boards. The other used plastic pieces with plastic boards and dgt boards for the top boards (and the higher rating groups had wooden sets all over I think).
I can't imagine everyone carrying around their own equipment, seems strange. Although I'd prefer wooden sets I don't think I'd bring an expensive set in that case, probably a €20-50 wooden set.
Just found this forum ! I have been playing tourney chess for more than 40 years now and I also miss some things about the good ole days . I miss the slower time controls and the absence of " sudden death " time controls . I miss that people in the 70s and 80s seemed to have better manners than the people today . Tourneys used to be run for the players too and not for the TDs and organizers . I do NOT miss adjournments nor the smoking , I never smoked myself so I cant tolerate smokers very well . I never take my better set to tournies because I do fear the damage that can occur , especially in mad time scramples where money/rating/prestige is on the line . I think the nice wooden analog clocks were nicer than today's digitals but have to admit the digitals are more functional and accurate . They are almost necessary now due to delays and increments . I have a friend who still uses an analog clock and he is " punished " ( time subtracted ) at most tournies for not having a digital . I don't think that's fair . I also prefer to play with all wood but don't mind playing with cheaper stuff in tournies . The roll up boards arent as bad as they used to be since now they have the kind that will lay flat and not have the pieces leaning all over the place !
Seems I have a few woodniks that might agree with this good ol boy, and don't forget to support our young players and donate your unwanted wood sets. Many of our schools have chess clubs and always are in need. Thank You :)
It doesnt matter if your opponents set their pieces up first , if you are assigned black , the choice of equipment is yours . Also , be aware that if you arrive late to the game and your opponent is on time and sets his equipment up then it doesnt matter which color you were assigned you lose the choice of equip for being late . Even GMs and other professionals play on plastic sets and roll up boards in many Open events .
Reb, I remember smoking in tournaments (my first USCF event was in '72. They stopped smoking in '73.) Seems like a million years ago. And while I agree that digital clocks are much, much more accurate, I have to ask ( Reb and ROBB): In the old days, in a pressure situation, did you ever push someone who's flag was hanging, just because they couldn't tell how much time they had left? I used to love doing that. You can't get away with that anymore.
dashkee94 wrote:
Reb, I remember smoking in tournaments (my first USCF event was in '72. They stopped smoking in '73.) Seems like a million years ago. And while I agree that digital clocks are much, much more accurate, I have to ask ( Reb and ROBB): In the old days, in a pressure situation, did you ever push someone who's flag was hanging, just because they couldn't tell how much time they had left? I used to love doing that. You can't get away with that anymore.
I do remember doing that and having others do that to me . When the flag was up/hanging people started really banging the clock hard too and this can cause the flag to fall prematurely , before all the time has actually elapsed , this doesnt happen with digitals .
I'll admit I only have one plastic set (HOS Spassky Fischer) with the exceptions being I'm hunting for a mint Drueke from the good ol days and my plastic Red, White, and Blues. However, I'll also admit, I bought it only to play along with my grandkids or outside blitz. Personally, I think regular tournaments should be played with wood Stauntons with the exception being that of the Dubrovniks. There is something to say about the good ol days of tournaments being played with wood sets. Added true class to the sport. Can't use the excuse anymore that plastic is affordable for most, cause there now are many nice wood sets priced very reasonable. I don't like roll up boards either, to be frank they mostly stink, so the same holds true for me with boards as well. Give me woods any day and bring back that wood nostalgia and smell of the good old days. Your game will appreciate it also. So let the opinions fly... That's mine and I'm sticking to it. I like taking my old storage wood box and wood board case with me... Say you ?
Oh... I don't care for those plastic digital flat clocks that look like my alarm clock in the bedroom either... Guess I'm a dinosaur...