Original Romanian-Hungarian Tournament Chess Set (IM Biro)

I'm talking about the original chess set designed and carved by IM Biro Sandor (Born: 1957 in Romania). With a peak rating of 2435, he is the highest ranked chess player that designs and carves chess pieces. Each piece is carved by IM Biro… from the hands of one chess master to my chess board! I imagine there's a bit of IM Biro's soul, creativity and passion in each piece guiding me to play better. I ask myself... "What would IM Biro do?"

No reproduction can evoke this same level of chess emotion!

First, a crash course on Hungarian names. In Hungarian, family names (i.e. surname or last name) come first followed by the given name (or first name). Biro is a common Hungarian family name. Sandor is a given name that translates to Alexander in English. You might see the name written as Biro Sandor (Hungarian form) or as Sandor Biro (English form).

Why so much talk about Hungarian if IM Biro is from Miercurea Ciuc, Romania? Well… prior to WW1 this city was called Csikszereda and was part of Hungary. It is in a famous region known as Transylvania and there are many people there that still speak Hungarian (often as their first language).

IM Biro started making this chess in the late 1980s because he wasn’t happy with available chess sets in Romania. He’d often bring sets to tournaments as gifts to other players (inncluding GMs Karpov and Kasparov). GM Bobby Fischer is also known to have requested an unweighted set from IM Biro. In the 1990’s the set was adopted by the Hungarian chess federation for tournament play.

IM Biro still hand makes this set when not playing in chess tournaments. You can find the website at https://caissa.ro/ChessSet/. This chess set has been mentioned in other topics but has never received its own topic. In fact, I first purchased a reproduction of this set as I was unaware of the original and that it was still available.

It’s a beautiful chess set, here’s mine all the way over in Australia.

I happen to have one for sale right now, here in the US, with a gorgeous custom JLP box as well:

EDIT: SOLD!!!

Love the JLP box. I want to get one myself (and eventually a JLP board) I like how the pieces fit in it.

Beautiful sets....I think I remember your uncle making that nice box Powder.

That would be this one …

Here is a fun comparison (from left to right) to share why I enjoy IM Biros's set so much.

1. NOJ 1962 Soviet Championship Set ("Tal")
2. IM Biro's Romanian-Hungarian Tournament Set
3. Reproduction Romanian-Hungarian Tournament Set

The base of IM Biro's design appears to be influenced by the chunkiness of some Soviet era pieces but with a sharper modern edge. If you think the base of the Tal or other Soviet sets are too chunky you might like this modern take. The reproduction has a completely different base and I'm not a fan of the lines.

Nice robust body on the IM Biro Queen with detail on the top and underside of the collar.

Next comes a rounded detail of the crown. This is more pronounced on the reproduction.

One more detail I don't like of the reproduction is the convex edges on the side of the crown. I'd prefer the lines to remain straight. Perhaps once could argue the reproduction adds some ergonomics when grabbing the Queen by the crown. The top of the crown on the reproduction also flares out a bit more compared to the original.

Slightly different cuts on the crown but I like both styles.

One more comparison with the base of the DGT Timeless set. Note: all my NOJ sets have DGT sensors... I wish my IM Biro set had sensors too.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nr4NS7kWu-s

Watch the video. IM Sándor pieces are beautiful!

IM Biro design is the OG! Love the photos. Thank you.

Beautiful chess set! I just came across it via Al Su Chess on YouTube. How much do these cost?

This was my direct quote from Sándor (Nov 2022):

“The price for 1 chess set (without chessboard) is 250 EUR inclusive priority postal package fee to USA (to Europa 220 EUR).“

He is an upstanding gentleman and produces one of the finest sets I’ve ever had the pleasure of handling or owning.

Feel free to email him directly for queries, quotes, and orders: birosandor64@yahoo.com

While I do believe the set is well worth the price, I have to note, that in 2021 I believe I had to pay 150€.

@Uchebuike, I was hoping that pricing remained when I contacted him! I assume his increase was a direct result of COVID-related cost surges (materials, shipping, et cetera). Even at the higher price point, his beautiful craftsmanship and original design is of the utmost quality (carving, finish, weight, balance) and well worth it. They are by far one of my most favorite and sentimental sets, since each was made-to-order specifically for me… Ah, I love ‘em! I actually ordered both his dark brown stain and red stain variants. To complete the trifecta, I’ll probably order the reddish-brown stain variant before it’s all said and done.

I agree. I hold them very dearly as well, because I also like the fact that they were specifically made for me and by a person you have been in contact with before.

I have an original vintage one with crowns

IM Sandor Biro in action in Germany with his homemade pieces. The entire club used his set for their team competition.