NOJ's Tal Set--"An Anthem to the Reproduction of Chess Pieces"

Thanks for the photos, Robert.  I think the red-stained pieces are more attractive than the walnut, especially on your green and off-white leather-like board.  I am very impressed.

I hope you don't mind if I ask, but where did you buy that chessboard?

Best,
Bob

Excellent Bob !! That board really brings out the deep red !!

Thank you, Robert.  I wasn't acquainted with House of Staunton (HOS) in 1998, but I may well have purchased a board like this if I would have been.  Unfortunately, by the time I learned about HOS they had dropped the leather boards, which is why I'm so happy to know Mr. Parker is still making them.

I was sitting down when I read the prices of £705 ($909) for the 2.25" squares and £705 ($922) for the 2.375" squares, and it did give me pause.  If I do purchase the NOJ Tal set, I will probably hang the expense and buy a board too.

Gorgeous set and great pics, RC! Thanks for posting!

Thanks for these pictures, macmillan.  That set--especially on that board--is fabulous.

looks like my set is in progress right now....

Are those walnut and maple blanks about to be transformed into your beautiful Tal Set order Mr. Helwig? I have ordered a Tal set myself from Noj arriving shortly. Congratulations on your acquisition.

Yes, Walnut/Maple. And you can just call me Frank...

Very good Frank I'm sure you will enjoy as well as I this great and outstanding chess set. I had ordered 2 other sets to be all shipped at the same time, a GM Pavasovic in walnut and a Dubrovnik II red stained as well as the Tal set. I will post pictures once they and my new chess boards arrive from Brad Bowkoski.

 Awesome, Frank and Jorge! It's as wonderful to play with as it is to look at!

Very good Frank! I think it must be a very nice feeling knowing that someone very skilled is at work there and taking the time to record his progress. My dubrovnik II walnut will be made in 5-6 months or so..

p.s. The green/white and maple/dyed red looks marvellous RC!

I received my set a couple of days ago - the original estimate was "early 2018", so it's a nice Xmas surprise to receive the set now. And I did manage a devastating mate against my son first time we played w/ the set (he was not amused...)

It's a very nice playing set that lives up to Noj's excellent standards. I did notice, however, that the King's finials were not set to be opposite colors. Not sure if that was a mistake - will need to ask Gregor.

(update: spoke to Gregor, and looks like his father made a mistake w/ the finials. They will make me a new pair of kings and send them to me. As always, nothing but top notch service from Noj all around...)

A beautiful set in walnut and maple Frank. I really like the board you have the set displayed on, good contrast. I'm sure Mr. Gregor will help you with the king finial inquiry and figure out a solution to your satisfaction. Congratulations on your newest addition to your collection.

That's odd, Mr. Helwig, that Noj doesn't make their finials removable.  Perhaps that's a House of Staunton trademark.

Nice looking set, by the way.

Thanks, Bob. I asked them about that, and they advised me not to try, as there was a good chance one of the finials might break during the attempt. The safer bet seems to be to make a new pair altogether, which Noj can offer, since they are actually the manufacturer of these sets, unlike HoS.

And btw, w/ most of my HoS sets, I'd probably run the risk of breaking the finials as well if I were to attempt removal now...

The set is gorgeous, but those pawns remind me of...

The pawns are actually my favourite pieces from this set, they appear satisfyingly robust.

Gorgeous, Frank. Congrats!

Thank you, Chuck, for being the catalyst that made this set a realityt