Has anyone tried playing a game on one of those Straight UP chess boards? I'm considering picking one up for games with a buddy where we do a classical game via notation over SMS, no time limit...of course it is on the honer system...ha...no cheating. I like trying different things..., this looks interesting. Link below...
https://www.houseofstaunton.com/red-cherry-series-with-checkered-bronze-frame-20338.html
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!
I'm in the process of putting together a NICE set for home play 1849 4.4" set but I do want a rough and tumble set exactly like this one with a tournament standard size to throw in a bag and drag around but the set you have here seem way to nice to serve this purpose, I couldn't bring myself to abusing them.. :-). I prefer the wood over plastic, so I'll keep looking...
I just noted this comment and thank you - the GM Blitz is a lovely set and the post bought back memories. One further comment - my use of sets has changed as my enjoyment of the game evolves. I used to molly coddle some sets … that is rarer now … I buy them to use them… and here’s how that set is now stored and indeed how I roll them out to play with them. Now … I am not letting my dog chew them or kids throw the at walls and I would not take them to the park for a smash and grab blitz game on a concrete table - but to the pub to earn their dings and dents … for sure. My thinking changed after I saw someone - I can’t remember who - shake their Noj pieces and note how they were made to be played. Enjoy your sets 👍.
And another older set poured from a different storage device … wood is tough albeit delicate finials and finickity bits aren’t so robust … take care with them. 
Enjoy chess. 👍
And my final spam for this Saturday morning - and to show that variety is the spice of my life … here’s a set that I would never dump haphazardly on the board … mainly because the board is too soft and scratches too easily but oh my, these pieces are beautiful in my eyes; the rosewood is mesmerising … definitely playable for a casual game but I use it more for rotational display and as a conversation starter with guests.
Amazing!! @Powderdigit pieces, board, combination, photography… More than a trifecta, for sure. Wow.
c1900 French
Very nice , waiting for the one who like to wander around to slang it of ?
c1900 French
When I enlarge the white pieces I imagine it’s some form bone, antler, horn, or perhaps ivory. It’s an old beauty, whatever the material. Wonderful. 👍
It's ivory. ! The French 
@Powderdigit the Regence style set is amazing. What I especially like about it, is the paleness of the white pieces which makes the red pop even more (in the same way the ivory sets of old had that effect)
@beachero Stunning set! Do you have any idea who produced the set? A learning moment for me: not in a million years would I have guessed this would be a French set. If anything, I would have thought it would be English.
@beachero stunning set! Can you comment how you found out it was made in France?
Read on the box:
https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/images_users/tiny_mce/beachero/php5K4uay.jpg
Made in France
Ow sorry, that image bug got the better of me. All the info I need, thanks!
Boxes are just boxes though. The set doesn’t look French at all. Especially the knights are much more elaborate and scream British.
Yes, you may be right:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-fremont-best-staunton-479127586
But who knows...
I agree it looks English, king’s cross too. In fact probably is. Had never really thought about it.
Here's a slightly customized Prevision Chess Ecliptic Style set that was purchased from Amazon. It comes with a gloss finish, but I prefer a matte finish on plastic pieces. A fine sanding sponge did the trick fairly easily. I also added a little color to some pieces with red (drying) putty and also added red self-sticking felt to the bottoms.
Here's a slightly customized Prevision Chess Ecliptic Style set that was purchased from Amazon. It comes with a gloss finish, but I prefer a matte finish on plastic pieces. A fine sanding sponge did the trick fairly easily. I also added a little color to some pieces with red (drying) putty and also added red self-sticking felt to the bottoms.
These look great! 😀👍
An simple but very sturdy design. First set I've ever purchased, subsequently lost and recently acquired again. Bayerwald set from probably the seventies
Lovely stuff. It’s a combo that appears like it would be hard to walk past … the warm colours, the clock - it all seems to invite you to play … 👍