Metal Ultimate Chess Set Teaser

Here are pictures of the first solid metal Ultimate set made.  These pictures were sent to me by Shelby Lohrman.  The pictures were sent to Shelby. meaning he does not have this set in hand yer himself.

I considered to no longer post on this forum.  I have been attacked, particularly, by 2 posters on here.  Mohan and KnightsForkCafe.  Both of them said that I wrote things that I did not write, false representation.  And they both have been very disrespectful to me as well as a number of other posters on this forum.

To clarify things:

My name is Ronald J. Suarez, O.D.  I am an Optometrist, eye doctor living in Peoria, Illinois, USA.  While I do handle regular eyecare cases, I also specialize in Infant Vision care, Vision Care of the developmentally disabled. Geriatric Vision Care, Low Vision, Orthokeratology, other specialty contact lens fittings, and I also run a Glaucoma clinic, once a month where I specifically treat people with Glaucoma.

My wife is currently a 5th Grade teacher at St. Mark School in Peoria, Illinois.  I run a scholastic chess club at the school my wife teaches. which is completely voluntary on my part with no income from this.  In fact, I pay for the Chess sets out of my own money and usually give the kids their own Chess sets and boards for free.  This particular school has a number of needy kids, so I give them all free sets so they are not embarrassed to receive something free that others pay for.

My total income comes from my practice of Optometry.  I make no money from anything Chess related.  I have paid and will continue to pay for all my Chess Equipment and Books at the same price anyone else can get from any particular vendor.  I am certainly not an agent for any one Chess company.

I currently am 63 years old and certainly not ready to retire.  I like buying things, including Chess stuff.

I am a Chess player first and foremost.  I have no interest in gathering a collection of sets just to have as part of a collection.  I play Chess with and use all the equipment I buy.

With that, anyone that knows me knows I hate paying full, retail price for anything.  I always, I repeat always, look for and usually find a discount on the things I buy.  As I said, every discount I get, anyone else can also get.  I have not received any favors of drastically reduced prices or free stuff from ANY Chess vendor.

Shelby told me, just now, that the pieces are indeed solid metal and not hollow at all.  He is estimating the set should weigh 6 - 7+ lbs.

I agree that the gold colored pieces are shiny in the pictures.  I like the black metal though.

Yeah, I am not excited about owning this set, myself.

I will be on board to possibly purchase Ron. Perhaps bundling this metal set and the new correct cream-colored and perhaps ivory/pure white Ultimates. 3 more sets on my radar in total, maybe.  I've done some touching up on sets in the past, if the set isn't toned down in shininess manufactured from the supplier overseas then I can always purchase a can of clear satin enamel spray lacquer and tone down the brilliance of the metal with a matte finish. You're a good man, sir, proud to be your friend and fellow member anytime. Be well, be safe, and blessings to you and your family,

With kindest regards,

Jorge R. 

Shiney/glossy - ugh!  Flat or Matte finish is preferable.

@Eyechess - if you abandon the forums, then the naysayers and nattering nabobs of negativity have won. And that's what they are hoping for - for you to surrender.

@eyechess You are valued by all of the real chess nuts on this forum. Can't speak for the other kinds of nuts running around on this cyber space. Probably none of them can even finish the Kessel run never mind in under 12 parsecs. Many thanks to you for your frequent postings; they bring me some small joy most times!

Respect!

-Izmet

Sorry everyone, I am going off topic since EyeChess brought it up...

@EyeChess As i have said in other discussions here at chess.com, I do not post a lot. However, I read almost everything in the books and equipment forum including the one about RCM that is now locked. I don't think you have ever said anything bad about others. I understand you prefer paying up for quality and that you like HoS and Noj. At the same time you are not opposed to buying from CB or others. 

I always like reading about your opinions and respect your point of view even if I wonder sometimes if CB, RCM and others could be just as good. For the record, I have only bought from 4 sets from HoS and 2 sets from chesshouse.com. I have no experience with any others. Regardless of whether I agree or disagree with you, I always appreciate your opinions and posts.

Keep posting and don't let others get you down.

Maybe I have not made one thing clear.  I am a believer that we should look at and assess one chess set design at a time.  You will note that, except for Noj, I have never claimed that any one company will always produce or sell all perfect Chess sets.  Yes, Noj is the exception because they are unique in that they are only the 2 brothers and their retired father helping, doing all the work.  And they only produce a limited number of sets at a time.  It is nigh impossible for them to mess up.

Anyway, I believe in looking at the individual set design to decide on its quality.  There are 2 CB sets that I own that I have not seen better anywhere.  And there is at least one that is, in my opinion, just as good as a HoS set.  So, I bought the CB version.

I also have bought a House of Chess set that is made nowhere else, and I like that set.  Yes, RCM has sets that are individual or just as good of quality as other company offerings.

However, there are some set designs that many companies sell their version.  The Dubrovnik designs are one example.  Many people have given their opinions on these sets.  For instance, I have opined that the latest HoS Fischer Dubrovnik looks very good at around $200.  Yes, this set gives the Noj a huge challenge and looks to win in value.

I have and will continue to point out differences between companies’ sets as far as specifications and such.

@Eyechess Thanks for the clarification. I would say your explanation is a good representation of yours posts... at least the ones that I have read.

I was going to ask you a question but I don't want to hijack this thread. Maybe I'll create a new thread.

I just wanted to chime in on the topic here... I am not a fan of metal for chess pieces. However, I do like the black pieces shown here. I do not like the gold pieces at all. I agree with RC and QtoQ about the matte finish. Also, 6-7 pounds... forget it.

Yeah, I agree.  I will not be buying one of these.

I think that kind of set(gorgeous) is what sent the Spaniards into the Inca Empire.