Post Your Chess Sets

Sometimes whimsy works to lift my mood … see my Spanish plastic chess pieces in the distance … I have had this out as my daily driver since acquiring it a week or so back. I really love it. Even more so over-looked by some Smurfs from the ‘70’s that my kids enjoy and reminds me of my childhood. That’s what chess (playing and collecting) is for me - a joy.

On staining - when I get a chance, I might start a thread on stained pieces and I really like some of them … and I also get that others don’t and that’s cool. In that thread I’m sure there will be much comment and also I look forward to learning too because I still get confused with photos and determining was has been stained, ebonised, oiled, waxed etc… for example, on that dark rook above - my ‘guess’ would have been that it was unstained wood but finished with some form of oil/wax or whatever is used to buff the pieces and this finish has darkened the wood - except where they can’t get to on the top but maybe I’m wrong because I am certainly no expert. Or maybe what has been used to finish is some form of stain that is then polished and same again - the top of the rook is unfinished buffing. I really don't know. Interesting to see and read. 

Yep it is stone resign. And not made for real chess play. This is called a display chess set.

I knew I was also living Herm's head....

Since he does not uphold to his own posting standards that he tried to hold other. Just more sky is blue, not it is green nonsense.

Let´s call it aquamarine and split the difference.

I love plastic chess sets and I own many of them. And recommend them. And posted them on here. Please repost those photos also....

I am here to help....

Also, i've been all over google image and some chess stores' sites, trying to place what the heck this is...sitting on the counter at my local Salvation Army, in a strong, gorgeous box - $99.99

Further to my first post (#1097) on this thread (and forum)... the addiction has started! I purchased a second set of pieces! My intent here was to have a set of pieces that I can take to work, play with colleagues, friends and family. I wanted a smaller 'club' size set (which I think is around a 3.75" King?) and one that could handle the rigours of speedier play, perhaps with a glass of wine or some other drink in hand!
Given my positive experience with my first purchase, I used CB again and purchased the GM Blitz set in ebony. I was attracted to what I think is a very classic design. To my taste the King, Queen and Bishop are wonderfully slender with a wide base. I think they look simple and quite beautiful - complimented by a one-piece knight. I am not sure why but I was attracted to this knight - a combination of it being one-piece and what I would call - 'traditional' yet has it's own-style and a touch of class. I am not sure if this is the right term - 'traditional' because I am new to the game. Forgive me if that is the wrong term - regardless - I think the set has form and function and is quite beautiful in its simplicity including a lovely knight. You will see that, for the purposes of the photos, I have paired it with the larger board that I purchased earlier - the pieces are smaller but I don't think it is totally out of place probably because on the wide bases. So at home, I'll use this board.

Given these posts are to help people - like this forum (and experience collectors) helped me when I was researching my first purchase - I will say again that the service from CB has been good.

The speed of delivery to Australia is staggeringly fast - 4 workings days for these pieces. I should say that this set does not have the finesse of the 'luxury' pieces I purchased earlier - but it is still wonderful. What do I mean by "not the finesse"? Well... to this novice's eye, the 2016 Bridle Knight series in the previous post is near flawless (Again... to my eye ... but I am not an expert and have not seen other sets! Like a Noj, for example. So please understand - I am not making comparisons except for the very narrow field of two sets that I have!) In this set, all pieces are again well buffed although there appears some slight dust marks embedded in the buffed sheen in a few pawns? Probably not a good description and hard to see from a distance ... just not flawless - like my last set. Nothing that makes me regret my purchase. Does that make sense?)

Also, the pieces are weighted but lighter than the bigger, 2016 Bridle Knight set. There was one substantive issue - the weight in one of the knights was not flush with the base, so it rocked on the board. When I informed the CB customer service staff of this - they committed to send another piece via standard post. No drama for me there - I am in no rush.

All in all another excellent set. Photos below. That is enough sets for me for a while now... who knows when I will next purchase but I am glad I have started the journey and I am loving playing the game!

A modest little Dubrovnik Standard chess set by Muba. It's a nice fit on 42mm squares. Though on a smallish board, the pieces still have a fairly standard weight and feel due to it's 3.5" king height, and the pawns are taller that most 3.75" sets. Very playable in smaller spaces. It's a nice solution if you feel that 3" king sets are too small, and versatile enough to use on 50mm squares.

That is a nice board!

That is a nice board!