You Know that guy that always splurges for the extra queens? That's me. I'm that guy...
Oleg Raikis: 3.5” tournament Staunton Chess set
Sort:
Nov 25, 2023
0
#3
Seems like almost the perfect set to me … in fact, it is the perfect set; you have a set by a renowned artist, of a design you love in beautiful wood. I’m green with envy - wonderful. Thank for posting these pictures. It is perfect because it’s what you wanted at a price that your were comfortable with … perfecto Mundo!
MCH818 wrote:
Wes, I hate to put you on the spot but I was wondering how the finish compares to your Noj sets?
It's different.
It's a kind of wax/polish Oleg does that seems similar to what is done on a set from HoS. (But, it is much better done IMHO, as there are no 'bare wood' spots like between rook crenalions, or on the inside of the bishop's mitre like you would get from a HoS set.)
The NoJ are done in their special lacquer finish. If wishes were fishes, I would have had it in a NoJ style finish as I believe it is inherently more protective in the long run.
But NoJ also isn't going to do a 100% custom set, with the knight carvings done to the same skill level...
With proper care, I'm not worried.
DesperateKingWalk wrote:
That is a great choice. As I am no fan of lacquers.
I want natural wood, and a nice wax and buff.
NoJ's knight caving is pretty poor for a set of that price.
NoJ's finish is different from what passes for "lacquer" finishes on chess sets.
It is more similar in look to the french polish that you would see on original Jaques and Ayres sets from the late 1800's early 20th.
So if you are thinking of the "lacquer" finishes you have seen on cheaper sets; there really is no comparison.
As to NoJ's knight carving - they are more than acceptable for the sets they are offering.
As to the price; all I can say is that the cost of refinement is exponential, not linear.
I have many sets from other makers to compare them to, and I find the prices justified.
Very nice looking set from Oleg Raikis , Wes350 Enjoy , Guess it 's the best we can get now , If i had to buy my antique sets at todays prices would not be possible , I think Oleg Raikis sets are the prime sets in todays market or offerings .
Bravo, a very elegant set, congratulations! Very animate knights on photos 4 and 5, wow. The puzzle on photo 8 is hard for me. Is it maybe because, while not having a diagram, you have a 3-D that you cannot walk around? I move my head like a rooster but no info. Lame excuse 
So I share my try: 1.Rxe7+ Kxe7 2.Re3+ Kf6 (or we get 2 pieces for a rook) 3.Re6+ Bxe6 4.Nh5+ Ke5 5.Bg7+ K somewhere and 6.Bxa1, having a queen, a bishop and a knight vs. two rooks and a bishop while having 4 vs. 3 pawns, two of them connected passers. Nice position, is it what happens when you play with that set?
Nov 25, 2023
0
#8
All I can say is, simply and profoundly stunning. The color, finish, and carvings look immaculate in the photos. Well done!
I mean,I wouldn't ever give an Ivory set a second thought,if I had that Oleg masterpiece!
Masterpiece!....and.....I'm choosing my words carefully.
I always get excited when I see a new thread pop up with Oleg Raikis in the title…
Great post; happy to help!
Amazing. So, what is Oleg's current backlog? Looking at the white knights, almost like he poured liquid plastic into a mold and then painted wood grain patterns on them, they are perfect! What an amazing artist!
I forgot to post the set he based it off of...
Considering the reference pic was missing some bits, I think he did a pretty good interpretation:
IslandKnightz wrote:
Amazing. So, what is Oleg's current backlog? Looking at the white knights, almost like he poured liquid plastic into a mold and then painted wood grain patterns on them, they are perfect! What an amazing artist!
Oleg is accepting orders/commissions; inbox me if you're interested.
Nov 27, 2023
0
#15
This set is exceptionally nice. I agree that this may now be the standard of the best set available. Congratulations.
MGT88 wrote:
IslandKnightz wrote:
Amazing. So, what is Oleg's current backlog? Looking at the white knights, almost like he poured liquid plastic into a mold and then painted wood grain patterns on them, they are perfect! What an amazing artist!
Oleg is accepting orders/commissions; inbox me if you're interested.
This can be done with the utmost confidence. Michael is a joy to deal with.
Would anybody of the moderators mind closing hayesmills for regular spamming, please? Thank you for taking this into consideration. Greetings!
Oleg has just produced a copy of this set, which he has available now:
@Wes350 That mahogany board looks beautifully understated—where did you pick it up?
I have had a picture of my dream chess set for some time. It was of an Ivory set.
But I will never own an Ivory chess set. The time to acquire antiques at reasonable prices has come and gone, and anything new like mammoth ivory is a step to far for me. And in all honesty, as collectors the guys who have such things are in a different league from me anyway. And that is Ok.
I did find however, that I could get very close in boxwood…
Enter Oleg Raikis, and fellow collector MGT88(Michael) Who selflessly made his time available to act as intermediary during the ordering process.
“Umm, do you think Oleg could make a version of this Ivory set in boxwood?”
“I don’t see a problem with that at all…”
Done deal.
The king is 9cm tall 4cm at the base. The Black pieces are stained this beautiful smoky matte black that looks great in person, but I think I’d need something better than my iphone camera to convey it in pictures. A few more pics to follow, as I have been sick as a dog since I got the set:
White to move!