Plastic Chess Sets - Reviews

I have the HOS 4 inch King collector series & am quite happy with it. I did have to buy a 2.5 inch board so it fit properly though.

The HOS Collector design seems most attracive to me, as it is extremely close to the original 1849 Staunton design. It could arguably be the optimal plastic set, given that

- it was 3.75'' size (4'' and larger is not too pratical as it really requires at least a 2.5'' size board, which in turn becomes a bit unwieldy unless you enjoy standing at the playing table rather than sitting),

- had decent quality throughout rather than the hit-and-miss mentioned above,

- the plastic had a nice boxwood-like shade (like the HOS Reykjavik set) rather than the pale ivory-like one.

I like the nicely weighted, chunky set that came with the Excalibur Grandmaster chess computer. Except maybe the white pieces are a bit too white, more of a ivory shade would be nicer and they are so chunky that I have trouble with one handed captures. Oh well, i guess you can't have everything.

They do have a 3.75" set, and you can get it in a boxwood-like shade.  That's the one that I have.

However, the QC seems to be an issue currently, I have a friend who has the same set bought a few years ago and it's absolutely perfect though, so I think the poor QC is a rather recent thing.  Perhaps they can return to the way they used to be if we complain loud enough, because it really would be the perfect plastic set.

My first tournament size set. More than 20 years old, roughly treated, still looking like new. 8 Euros!

My plastic tournament set is very similar to this one, but there are slight differences. The collar on my pawns slope downward, and the color is more like a yellowed ivory. The black pieces are a dull black instead of glossy--which I like. It is my favorite tournament set. I don't think this type is sold anymore, and it's probably close to 20 years old, though it looks brand new.

Metal-Gerd ... That is the exact chess set I have & the same board! I really like the German Tournament set & the board as well. Is the board a German board? Thanks!

A closer look at that plastic Dubrovnik:

-Izmet

Thanks for that video! Most normal people don't leave their chess pieces out in the sun or even play outside in the sun. At least I don't. I think they can fill the pieces with some kind of epoxy material as wax is kind of lame. Other than that it is a real deal compared to the wood pieces! I really like the cost effective plastic pieces!!!!!

The board is as old a the pieces.  The product is still being sold by a German chess store. Mine  has some sratches bit still does fine. The price is about 7 Euros.

I have a triple-weighted Drueke Players Choice set which is still in good shape some thirty years after I bought it.  I admit that at first I did not care for the bishop design, but after a while I became more accepting.  I have yet to see a chess set better suited to speed play.

I also have one of these:

http://www.chessusa.com/product/PLASTIC_CHESS_PIECES/61-210.html

Nice, and although not quite as good as the Drueke, at least it's still in production.

The set in the picture reminds me a bit of Saitek chess computer pieces (especially the king).

It appears to be suffering from the "wimpy rooks" syndrome, though. A good rook, while have lesser height than minor pieces, must be somewhat bulkier than them, and certainly should not be barely bigger than a pawn (as is the case here).

I don't remember Drueke selling a set like that. Its a very nice looking set IMO. I think the Bishop & rook are just fine though. Everyone has personal tastes in sets & thats why so many different sets are offered retail.

Thanks for the video  :D   I bought a set of these today [from your link] for my son to use at school.

Great thread. That said, some of the chess sets feature just my "pet peeves" in piece design, i.e.:

The geekly pawn:

The depressed knight:

The armadillo (?):

The microcephalic bishop:

Hi Frank: Thanks for starting your thread on plastic sets. I agree with your assessment of the Drueke "Players Choice" set which became popular in the late 1960s and 70s. A Drueke Players Choice set was used in the 1971 Fischer-Larsen candidates match. 

In my opinion, the Windsor Castle sets were the most famous and popular plastic chess set ever made. The set had its glory days back in the 1950s and 60s. These sets could be witnessed in every U.S. tournament during this period. The set was so popular that it was even used in many U.S. Championships during that period. Its pieces graced the hands of many U.S. Grandmasters including Bobby Fischer. Kings measure just over 3.75" in height with pawns at 2 1/8" in height. These sets had one major flaw, they chipped easily. Just about every issue of the wonderful Chess Review magazine
from 1950 up to the mid 1960s shows pictures of players using this set. Today, this set is extremely hard to find in any condition and rarely if ever offered on Ebay. I am looking for a black King to complete a set and have some spare pieces to offer in trade.Here's some pics of my set:

Hello my fellow chess lover. Below are some pictures of another plastic Dubrovnik set I thought collectors would also like to look at

I think the plastic Collector from HOS with the 3.75 inch king is one of the nicer sets in current production.  I got mine several years back when quality control at HOS was excellent.  

If you're looking for an alternative in quality plastic, there's a company called Legend Products which offers two plastic designs which I personally think are ourstanding.  One is called the "King's Indian" and is distinguished by its distinctive, non-traditional knight.  The other is a more traditional Staunton pattern called the "Alegria."  I own both sets and have also given them as gifts.  I think they're great sets and QC is very good. No, I'm not affiliated, just naming another option if you're looking for "high-end plastic" (How's that for a contradiction in terms?) 

Here's your link.

http://www.legendproduct.com/  

The compamy also competes at the high-end for wooden sets and boards.

PS - Looks like Legend is also selling Alegrias on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Legend-Alegria-Tournament-Staunton-Plastic-Chess-Set-and-Storage-Bag-/221302921255?pt=Games_US&hash=item3386ae9827