From the first picture I thought you bought the board from Ikea and had to assemble it at home, lol jk. It is a beautiful board. I enjoy YouTube videos of woodworkers making boards, like woodyoumakeit guy. My favorite part is almost always when they put on the finish and it just totally transforms the wood. In that respect these pics definitely paid off.
Noj Dubrovnik is the best but the high price is an issue which drives most people to other cheaper retailers.
Yup... I'd buy an NOJ set in a heartbeat if I could afford it
Yes, high Noj price is discouraging which has made many turn to poor quality dubrovnik sets sold by other manufacturers at low pricers. Of course, Noj dubrovnik is not the most accurate copy of the original. The best quality and most accurate dubrovnik is made by Gabriel Coss but I don’t think he takes any more orders from customers.
Could you please elaborate more about that? I'm not arguing, just curious.
Gabriel Coss is a master wood worker and his copy of 1950 Dubrovnik is the most accurate and highest quality to this date, much better than Noj I would say. You can watch his videos on Youtube.
The Noj Dubrovnik is the closest to the original.
Gabriel Coss made his set from the pictures. Noj saw and measured the original set so they has to be closest looking to the original one.
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Filip35 said:
The Noj Dubrovnik is the closest to the original.
Gabriel Coss made his set from the pictures. Noj saw and measured the original set so they has to be closest looking to the original one.>>>
My question is which one of the many Dubrovnik sets they make does that statement apply to? Is it the original one?
I like to buy what is better looking and their Minceta Dubrovnik looks better than the others they make, but that is my preference.
Well, in talking about the Dubrovnik sets, the term, “original”, can be confusing.
The set made for and used in the 1950 Olympiad is the one called original.
Later in time the cartoonist made some design changes. Then the set was made a number of different times looking different pretty much each time. Izmet has shown a number of these sets on his best chessmen ever website.
Noj made the design they now call Dubrovnik II for over eleven years. This was the design by the cartoonist. They got the rights to make this set.
Then it was discovered that the 1950 set was different, of course, so Noj and then others started making reproductions calling this one the Original 1950 Dubrovnik, often shortened to Original. Yes, Noj had an actual 1950 set that they reproduced.
Then, two years ago, Noj realized their Dubrovnik II set was different than the one pictured with Bobby Fischer in the early 1970’s. So, they figured it out and came out with a reproduction calling it the Dubrovnik Minceta.
I like my 3 Dubrovnik II sets and my 1 Dubrovnik Minceta set from Noj because they are all very, very nice to use in play. I strongly suspect and believe that these Noj sets are better made and nicer than those made in the late 1950’s to early 1970’s. So, I care nothing at all how accurate to the original ones made then have the reproductions been made.
The Original 1950 Dubrovnik set was designed and made in limited numbers about 10 to 20 years before the others I talked about.
I have talked with people, including Gregor of Noj, that told me the newer Dubrovnik design plays a bit better than the Original 1950 Dubrovnik. I also do not like the Original 1950 design as much. This is my personal preference.
I own 2 other sets made by Noj, the BCE and GM Pavasovic sets. Noj made sets are excellent and there are none better, no matter what design they make. Please understand that Noj is not in competition with other manufacturers. These guys are true artists. They make a certain number of sets in a certain amount of time. They apparently don’t care about market pressure. If you want to buy one of their sets the waiting time is well over a year now, and they won’t give you a price until the time comes for them to make the set. These are not the signs of true retailers but of true artists.
Agreed. I don't own a Noj set - yet. But judging by the photos and comments by the collectors on this forum, they are more artistic, more caring in their craftsmanship than other manufacturers. Based on that, I recently emailed Gregor and placed an order for the Dubrovnik Minceta pieces. I have to wait until sometime next year, but I have no problem with that. Waiting for art is not a bad thing to indulge oneself in.
The original Dubrovnik set made by Noj I was talking about: https://www.dubrovnikchessmen.com/dubrovnik-1950-chess-set.html
https://www.noj.si/?mod=catalog&action=productDetails&ID=193
Everything @Eyechess said is true.
I will write a full story about Dubrovnik sets (with a little bit more details) because I see that a lot of you are confused.
Dubrovnik set was exclusively made for the 9th Chess Olympiad.
In the 1960s Andrija Maurović, a famous Croat/Yugoslav cartoonist,made a redesigned.
The redesigned version was produced in the workshop of master craftsman Jakopović in Zagreb. That redesigned was ment to be mass produced for Yugoslav folk that wanted a high end (not everyone could afford it) chess set. That version today is know as Dubrovnik II.
Šahovska naklada (publishing house for chess books and equipment in Yugoslavia and Croatia) had a licence to that chess set.
Šahovska naklada website: https://web.archive.org/web/20190913152808/http://www.sahovska-naklada.hr/index.html
The Dubrovnik chess set in the beginning were made for Šahovska naklada in Jakopović workshop, but making a chess set takes a lot of time so it was not worth it for Jakopović. Why make a chess set if you can get pretty much the same amount of money for table and chairs for a considerably less time spent. Today, all Jakopovićs are dead. (Rest in peace)
Because of that Šahovska naklada asked maximum security penitentiary in Lepoglava to produce a Dubrovnik chess sets for them. There were a few prisoners that carved Dubrovnik chess sets. Because of that there are a variation between 70s and 80s Dubrovnik designs. The quality control was not very high.
That is the reason why Bobby Fischer set is a little bit different (fat rook).
Noj claims that they got rights form Šahovska naklada but that is false. Šahovska naklada never gave the a rights. Only penitentiary in Lepoglava have a right for producing Dubrovnik chess set. But that is not important anymore because Šahovska naklada is out of business since 2019. (they made only like 4000€ in sales in the whole 2018.)
Link from Dubrovnik chees set that Šahovska naklada was selling (made in Lepoglava): https://web.archive.org/web/20190928203910/http://www.sahovska-naklada.hr/cjenik.html
Now, let's clarify a few things.
1. You can't buy an original Dubrovnik chess set that was made for chess Olympiad.
2. You can buy original 1960s Dubrovnik redesignes.
3. The original 1960s Dubrovnik redesigns are made in Jakopović worksop or in Lepoglava penitentiary for Šahovska naklada.
4. Dubrovnik chess sets made by Noj, Gabriel Coss, Chess bazzar, Hause of Stauton and the others are reproductions. But their quality usually is better than the ones made in Lepoglava.
5. Noj Dubrovnik chess sets the best quality.
6. The terms Dubrovnik Minčeta and Dubrovnik II are made up by Noj.
7. Dubrovnik chess set that Šahovska naklada sells is 1960s redesign. But every set is little bit different because there are a few different carvers. Some have fatter rooks, some have a little bit different queen crown and so on.
Šahovska naklada Dubrovnik: https://web.archive.org/web/20190928203910/http://www.sahovska-naklada.hr/cjenik.html
8. Šahovska naklada is out of buissness/doesn't work any more.
The last Dubrovnik (at least influneced by Dubrovnik design) chess sets made in Lepoglava for Šahovska naklada:
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/2015-european-youth-championship-dubrovnik-1
Sorry for bad grammar I hope that you will understand everything I wanted to say.
Best regards,
Filip.
@Flip35 Thanks for the info. That is interesting! I am not challenging what you said but I am very curious to know because Noj doesn't seem like a company that lies for any reason. This is from Noj.si (https://www.noj.si/?mod=catalog&action=productDetails&ID=12):
How do you know that Šahovska Naklada did not give Noj the rights?
Also, Zagreb chess set is term made up by Chess Bazzar (same as Minceta and Dubrovnik II by Noj). That chess set is influenced by Dubrovnik chess set but with different knight design. There was no tournament that was held in Zagreb that used that chess set.
Link: https://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-zagreb-59-series-chess-pieces-3-875-king.html
Many informative posts, in particular mr Flip. Appreciated it!
Looks like there was an exhibition in a museum in Dubrovnik where the original set used in 1950 Olympiad was displayed. Link - http://www.dumus.hr/en/cultural-history-museum/exhibition/nations-tournament-the-9th-chess-olympiad-in-dubrovnik-in-1950/
I actually have almost that exact acrylic dustcover above my display set.I rotate sets when the whim hits me.....Not a museum,but I'm happy in my little chess/hobby room.
> The Dubrovnik chess set in the beginning were made for Šahovska naklada in Jakopović workshop
True. Not the original 1950 sets, though.
> but making a chess set takes a lot of time so it was not worth it for Jakopović.
Very true.
> Why make a chess set if you can get pretty much the same amount of money for table and chairs for a considerably less time spent.
Later, he made his living carving souvenirs. Was not a carpenter.
> Today, all Jakopovićs are dead. (Rest in peace)
His remaining son (born 1959) and daughter (1949) would strongly disagree. The family had a reunion in Trbovlje, Slovenia last year. His eldest, Branko (1947) is the only one sadly missed.
> There were a few prisoners that carved Dubrovnik chess sets.
> Because of that there are a variation between 70s and 80s Dubrovnik designs.
> The quality control was not very high. That is the reason why Bobby Fischer
> set is a little bit different (fat rook).
It is not, as Fischer's set was made by The Master. He bought it at Zagreb's Oktogon. Fat rooks are Jakopović's trademark, second thing to look at when appraising old Dubrovniks. First, the knights.
> Noj claims that they got rights form Šahovska naklada but that is false.
> Šahovska naklada never gave the a rights.
There was an arrangement with ŠN providing original Maurović sketches and first NOJ sets sold thru ŠN. The partnership soon dissolved. But the rights were never given as (I suspect) they were never had. As NOJ continued producing the sets, there was no legal action against it by ŠN.
> Only penitentiary in Lepoglava have a right for producing Dubrovnik chess set.
Verba volant, scripta manent. Where is the paper? Dubrovniks were also made by various small manufacturers (one in Slovenia) copying the design, not to mention Subozan from Subotica, Serbia. (GM Gligorić can be seen on YT with one of those).
> The terms Dubrovnik Minčeta and Dubrovnik II are made up by Noj.
True.
> Šahovska naklada is out of buissness
Very true. I hear the man was difficult to deal with.
-Izmet Fekali (bestchessmenever.com)
The original Dubrovnik set made by Noj I was talking about: https://www.dubrovnikchessmen.com/dubrovnik-1950-chess-set.html
https://www.noj.si/?mod=catalog&action=productDetails&ID=193
Everything @Eyechess said is true.
I will write a full story about Dubrovnik sets (with a little bit more details) because I see that a lot of you are confused.
Dubrovnik set was exclusively made for the 9th Chess Olympiad.
In the 1960s Andrija Maurović, a famous Croat/Yugoslav cartoonist,made a redesigned.
The redesigned version was produced in the workshop of master craftsman Jakopović in Zagreb. That redesigned was ment to be mass produced for Yugoslav folk that wanted a high end (not everyone could afford it) chess set. That version today is know as Dubrovnik II.
Šahovska naklada (publishing house for chess books and equipment in Yugoslavia and Croatia) had a licence to that chess set.
Šahovska naklada website: https://web.archive.org/web/20190913152808/http://www.sahovska-naklada.hr/index.html
The Dubrovnik chess set in the beginning were made for Šahovska naklada in Jakopović workshop, but making a chess set takes a lot of time so it was not worth it for Jakopović. Why make a chess set if you can get pretty much the same amount of money for table and chairs for a considerably less time spent. Today, all Jakopovićs are dead. (Rest in peace)
Because of that Šahovska naklada asked maximum security penitentiary in Lepoglava to produce a Dubrovnik chess sets for them. There were a few prisoners that carved Dubrovnik chess sets. Because of that there are a variation between 70s and 80s Dubrovnik designs. The quality control was not very high.
That is the reason why Bobby Fischer set is a little bit different (fat rook).
Noj claims that they got rights form Šahovska naklada but that is false. Šahovska naklada never gave the a rights. Only penitentiary in Lepoglava have a right for producing Dubrovnik chess set. But that is not important anymore because Šahovska naklada is out of business since 2019. (they made only like 4000€ in sales in the whole 2018.)
Link from Dubrovnik chees set that Šahovska naklada was selling (made in Lepoglava): https://web.archive.org/web/20190928203910/http://www.sahovska-naklada.hr/cjenik.html
Now, let's clarify a few things.
1. You can't buy an original Dubrovnik chess set that was made for chess Olympiad.
2. You can buy original 1960s Dubrovnik redesignes.
3. The original 1960s Dubrovnik redesigns are made in Jakopović worksop or in Lepoglava penitentiary for Šahovska naklada.
4. Dubrovnik chess sets made by Noj, Gabriel Coss, Chess bazzar, Hause of Stauton and the others are reproductions. But their quality usually is better than the ones made in Lepoglava.
5. Noj Dubrovnik chess sets the best quality.
6. The terms Dubrovnik Minčeta and Dubrovnik II are made up by Noj.
7. Dubrovnik chess set that Šahovska naklada sells is 1960s redesign. But every set is little bit different because there are a few different carvers. Some have fatter rooks, some have a little bit different queen crown and so on.
Šahovska naklada Dubrovnik: https://web.archive.org/web/20190928203910/http://www.sahovska-naklada.hr/cjenik.html
8. Šahovska naklada is out of buissness/doesn't work any more.
The last Dubrovnik (at least influneced by Dubrovnik design) chess sets made in Lepoglava for Šahovska naklada:
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/2015-european-youth-championship-dubrovnik-1
Sorry for bad grammar I hope that you will understand everything I wanted to say.
Best regards,
Filip.
Filip35 wrote: Thank you for clearing this matter , As in past post was slated over rising how much of a grey area this Dubrovnik chess set, is due to the lack of records etc . To what incarnation is all theses designs are based on ? Just to add Jaques never gave any names to his chess sets apart from it being called a Staunton chess design , the Names are made up by HOS ? along with a spare queen !
@Filip35 Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the Dubrovnik chess set history. A positive contribution to the forum. As with life, many people have accumulated interesting knowledge in certain areas but either do not have the patience to share or just don't care to share.
@Ifekali Excellent post... also very interesting. Thanks!
Also, Zagreb chess set is term made up by Chess Bazzar (same as Minceta and Dubrovnik II by Noj). That chess set is influenced by Dubrovnik chess set but with different knight design. There was no tournament that was held in Zagreb that used that chess set.
Link: https://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-zagreb-59-series-chess-pieces-3-875-king.html
I always thought it was Frank who made it up. I bought the HoS 2.875 Zagreb set because I thought it was historic in some way. I did not realize it was made up until many months after I purchased the set. I still love the Zagreb design. There is something so beautiful about the knights.
Maybe, I don't know who made up that name. I just saw it on chess bazaar so I concluded that they made it up.
> The Dubrovnik chess set in the beginning were made for Šahovska naklada in Jakopović workshop
True. Not the original 1950 sets, though.
> but making a chess set takes a lot of time so it was not worth it for Jakopović.
Very true.
> Why make a chess set if you can get pretty much the same amount of money for table and chairs for a considerably less time spent.
Later, he made his living carving souvenirs. Was not a carpenter.
> Today, all Jakopovićs are dead. (Rest in peace)
His remaining son (born 1959) and daughter (1949) would strongly disagree. The family had a reunion in Trbovlje, Slovenia last year. His eldest, Branko (1947) is the only one sadly missed.
> There were a few prisoners that carved Dubrovnik chess sets.
> Because of that there are a variation between 70s and 80s Dubrovnik designs.
> The quality control was not very high. That is the reason why Bobby Fischer
> set is a little bit different (fat rook).
It is not, as Fischer's set was made by The Master. He bought it at Zagreb's Oktogon. Fat rooks are Jakopović's trademark, second thing to look at when appraising old Dubrovniks. First, the knights.
> Noj claims that they got rights form Šahovska naklada but that is false.
> Šahovska naklada never gave the a rights.
There was an arrangement with ŠN providing original Maurović sketches and first NOJ sets sold thru ŠN. The partnership soon dissolved. But the rights were never given as (I suspect) they were never had. As NOJ continued producing the sets, there was no legal action against it by ŠN.
> Only penitentiary in Lepoglava have a right for producing Dubrovnik chess set.
Verba volant, scripta manent. Where is the paper? Dubrovniks were also made by various small manufacturers (one in Slovenia) copying the design, not to mention Subozan from Subotica, Serbia. (GM Gligorić can be seen on YT with one of those).
> The terms Dubrovnik Minčeta and Dubrovnik II are made up by Noj.
True.
> Šahovska naklada is out of buissness
Very true. I hear the man was difficult to deal with.
-Izmet Fekali (bestchessmenever.com)
> His remaining son (born 1959) and daughter (1949) would strongly disagree. The family had a reunion in Trbovlje, Slovenia last year. His eldest, Branko (1947) is the only one sadly missed.
I didn't know that information but if I am not wrong his younger son was journalist (or something similar) and he worked in the Vjesnik. This is where he met the last director of Šahovska naklada.
>There was an arrangement with ŠN providing original Maurović sketches and first NOJ sets sold thru ŠN. The partnership soon dissolved. But the rights were never given as (I suspect) they were never had. As NOJ continued producing the sets, there was no legal action against it by ŠN.
The director of ŠN told me that he doesn't care. He might be a difficult man to deal with (as you have said) but he is a chess lover too and I am sure that he appreciate the craftsmanship of Gregor Novak. He is probably happy that Mr. Novak wanted to invest his time, money and ability to preserve production of Dubrovniks chess set. And speaking of preserving the chess set of Dubrovnik, I would like to thank you this way, Mr. Jonas. You are most responsible for the preservation of the history of the Dubrovnik chess set, and its popularization among the chess community. Thank you!
>There was an arrangement with ŠN providing original Maurović sketches...
>Verba volant, scripta manent. Where is the paper? Dubrovniks were also made by various small manufacturers (one in Slovenia) copying the design, not to mention Subozan from Subotica, Serbia. (GM Gligorić can be seen on YT with one of those).
I’m not a lawyer, so I could be wrong. But as you said, ŠN has original Maurović's sketches. In my opinion, I think we can agree that whoever has the original sketches has the rights.
Everyone can copy the design, but only the one that has the rights / license is the original. I think that it is stupid to say that only Dubrovniks made by Jakopović are the original ones. He was only the carver. For example, if Rolex moves their production line in China. Their watches will still be considered as original but they will be produced in China instead of Switzerland. With that logic every Dubrovnik chess set bought from ŠN is the original one.
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@TheOneCalledMichael
Thanks for the tips! Unfortunately, I don't own a computer so I'll just keep doing the best I can. Sincere thanks though and glad you, and everyone else, enjoy the photos.
@KineticPawn
You asked for some info and photos about the board and I had some time today. I thought it would be neat to show a photo of when it was being "dry fitted."
Beautiful sunny day today so I took I took it outside! I tried to get a a couple of the beveled edge.
He places his logo on the bottom of the board.
Just for fun, here is another with everything setup. Indoors this time. I made this short little table a few years ago. It's nice for books but I am making plans on building something of a more appropriate size for a chess game.
@KineticPawn I hope this satisfies your curiosity. Thanks again everyone for your nice words. Have a great day!