Need help w/ a 1st set!

First post, been lurking up to this point ... So nice to meet y’all!

I recently took up chess as my New Year’s Resolution. I’m 40, teach college, and I like challenging my mind to learn new things really well. Last summer, it was the Rubik’s Cube.

Anyway, I’ve been doing a lot here (Lessons, Puzzles, etc). But I want a chess set so that I can have the physical thing and to teach my son & daughter. But I have no idea what to get or where to start. I’ve read thread after thread and end up more confused than when I started. Most suggestions are out of my price range (which is around $80). The other thing is that it be a travel board (ie fold in half for easy storage). Other than that, I don’t know what to look for (plastic vs wood), where to buy from, what is to look for, or even if I should by the pieces and board separately.

So here I am with open arms for your tips and suggestions for a 1st chess set!

ok so first things first, chess sets ARE NOT expensive and are easy things to buy, those are those colection people who also over complicate, there are 2 types of chess sets, hard and soft, hard is wooden or whatever boards and you get it, its like a well a board, soft on the other hand are like a piece of paper but not actually one, soft sets are rolled up and classical tournament boards that are universal and used for them, personally i dislike the hard ones, most you can get under 50, i bought one from chess.coms shop thats uscf (united states chess federation) qualified for tournies and weighted pieces to prevent stuff, its something like this https://shop.chess.com/us-chess-supreme-tournament-chess-set-combination/ which you can shop around to see

I find hard boards super bulky and etc, theres a ton of boards to get and its actually no big deal, nothing comparing unlike other sports where you have to get this because its this better and etc, its literally just that

exact definition of those over thinkers, like theres no real quality thing, like why do u want ivory 

I would suggest a nice plastic set tan and black (not the pure white). Then buy a nice mouse pad board which folds really easily into quadrants. With the remainder buy Todd Bardwick Chess workbook for children which gave me a structure on how to organize the lessons I give my nieces and nephews. It also gave me examples on how to introduce chess concepts in ways more easily digestible for children.  

Checkout wholesalechess, chesshouse or amchesseq.

Ultimate Chess Set

Wholesalechess Traditional Pieces

I own both those sets and they have both held up well through some decent blitz abuse. The Ultimate set especially feels robust and nice in the hand. 

P.S. I started playing chess 3 months shy of my 40th Birthday and I love it. 

 

That is a brutal limitation under 80$ and -Must- be folding board for storage. Ok.

Here is one that comes to mind:

Wood set, proper tournament size.

https://www.chessshop.eu/chess-sets/86-chess-set-tournament-no6.html

Delivery to united states after euro to dollars conversion puts cost at 83$, this set can be found sometimes already on this side of the pond so less shipping. If you are tying to find it its a "Wegiel" company set, stauton tournament No. 6. 

Now, if you are willing or want to have a much smaller set, a true travel one, magnetic and easy to store, then this is a functional option:

https://www.houseofchess.com/12-inch-wooden-chess-set-travel-magnetic-folding-board-golden-rosewood-2-extra-queens.html

75$, shipping from India included.

There are 3 versions for same price with 3 different wood types.

And if you are willing to pay more, there are progressively larger, and more expensive sets.

I go against the mainstream here... I think wood chess set is the way to go here. Later when your children are grown up and they still like playing chess now and then, you can give the set to them and by that time the wood will develop some nice patina too.

Wood chess pieces doesn't need to be expensive. There are many pictures of them on the i-net, look for what you like and try to find that used on ebay. If you can't find the exact type, there will be lot of variations that looks similar and go for that.

If you go this way, my tip is go for 3.75" set right away. It's easier on the eyes when you play.

If you look for authentic Jacques set then even used on ebay will still be astronomical, that's true. But other than that, there are plenty mainstream sets that are affordable / cheap used on ebay to be found. A nice folding wooden board can also be found used on ebay. You just have to be patient.

With that lastest fad, Of that young lady with a complicated childhood ,

The prices are kind of crazy now both new & 2nd hand , Most young chess players started with a cheap set , We got for Christmas or brithday , Unless someone in your family had a antique chess set .  And for some chess becomes a love affair after the bug bites !

 

 

 

That's true, looking for Chavet B210 on ebay from time to time, I've seen regular nothing special sets used but asked for ridiculous prices. I guess they know there is shortage of supply everywhere and trying to capitalize on that.

Oh speaking about Chavet, this is just crazy. I love the design but I'm not that crazy hehe

Chavet size 6 on ebay

& this set is from the 90s ,

@mickeyboca Folding travel board for under $80?

Since you'll be teaching, I think algebraic notations would be good to have.

I suggest a "no nonsense" US retailer. Somewhere you can just pick up the phone and ask if something is in stock. And talk to if there are issues. 

Rochester Chess Center (located in New York)

1.25" squares on a 10.5" magnetic wood travel board. 2" King. And algebraic notations. Good compact size to fit in a backpack.

$35. Shipping is $7 flat rate priority. 

Thank you everyone for the posts so far! Unfortunately, I’m just as confused as I was before. I’ve gotten some great options. But prior to my post, a search on Amazon made me think $80 would be fine. Now, I feel $80 is too limiting.

I would like something where the pieces fit inside the board, but so far, this seems to be my best option: https://www.legendproduct.com/lp1.html

Thanks again and keep it coming!

Legend Products has some nice and affordable packages available here.  Click on Specials to see what's available - you may like the roll-up board and storage tube combo for travel.  Of course, what's actually in stock at this point is an open question.  Good luck!

Not at all, Sweetie.  "Ivory" in this context is obviously a reference to a color.  MCH posted some very helpful information, why so quick to be ugly?

Oh and I’m not sure if this helps, but I don’t really prefer between wood or plastic pieces but I do think I’d like a board that folds in half. When not in use, I’ll need to store it somewhere.

I highly recommend the Chess House flexpad board, as shown in last part of this video:

Selecting Chess Sets for the Classroom - YouTube

Edit: Sorry, my first ever post, and apparently I don't know how to insert links here.  :-(

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/club-chess-sets/products/basic-club-chess-set

Roll up vinyl board with plastic pieces.  Put pieces in a box or bag, board rolls up and your set to travel.  Plastic pieces much less likely to break, and size of pieces and board give good visibility and it's $12.00.  Save the money for your Chess.com membership...

soft boards can roll up, foldable boards are also pretty cheap, people are all overthinking it with comments that are basically chess colection ish ex : authentic chess set or etc

Seems to be some confusion. I’m not teaching chess to college kids. I teach analytics at the university. Other than a few basics, there’s not much I can teach about chess right now ha ha ha