My swell chess set

Fortunately the crowding doesn't bother me and believe it or not I was going by suggested combos of sets/bds based on the size of the King base at the place where I bought them. Now I notice they also suggest a bd with 2.5" sqs in addition to my undersized bd for the set I bought.

Another big controversy among my local pals involved the height of the custom built chess table I had made for this set. I'll post that in a separate blog or forum

Here's info from an email confirming my order from deluxechesssets.com although I don't think the exact set I purchased is now available, but you can find something close to it in "The Classic Series" which includes several sets of different sizes.  AND it looks like I ordered a bd with 2.5" and got the wrong one instead (with 2.25" sqs)

The Classic Series Chess Set - 5.0 inch King  DCS-0003-C   $103.05

Available Woods: Black and Natural Lacquered

Teak and Bird's Eye Maple Standard Traditional Chessboard

DCS-0059-D $111.60   SQUARE SIZE: 2.5" (63mm) 

Shipping fees do not necessarily represent UPS published rates and may include charges levied by the Merchant.

Subtotal $214.65 UPS ground shipping $25.37 Total $240.02

This hand carved wooden Chess set features a 5.0" King with a diameter base of 1.875" and weighs 90 ounces.  

One of the heaviest sets of its size on the market  Each set consists of 34 Chessmen, 17 light and 17 dark (including the two additional Queens.)

Wow, 5 1/4" king!? My tourney set has a 4" king, and it seems so big to me. I can't imagine 5 1/4" ! Anyway, beautiful set, I love the look. I think I would like it in a 4" set, exactly proportional to this one. I like the knight a lot, and that about sells it for me. The look of the white pieces catches the eye.. . Nice set, Nimzo! I love the shape of the rook, too.

The bottom line is comfort in playing ... does the board look crowded in mid-game?  If not, and of course this is subjective, then no worries.  If only the owner prefers it, perhaps chess takes on a distinctive "home field advantage!"

That's a nice set!  I'm surprised it was under $200.

I've heard this from many sources, and I find that with most sets, this makes for too much room. A better "rule of thumb" measure I've heard is that if two pawns fit diagonally within a square ..."

these are all very interesting theories, but the bottom line is comfort of the two players ... I've never seen a rule book that references the size of pieces, so it's designed to be subjective.