Post Your Chess Sets

Playing on it with people you enjoy should derive value ...... js

Lou: One thing is clear on HoS, their colors for Golden Rosewood is light brown compared to their Indian Rosewood which is dark brown.  I’m not sure how both names could share the same wood color characteristics. 

Thanks! I'll post a couple more today!

Small 1940's "Artel" set.

Chessroboto,

Padauk, like Red Sandalwood, are woods that darken over time and exposure to air and sunlight. What starts out reddish will, if exposed, eventually darken to a rich burgundy color. So long as you're aware of these changes you won't be disappointed when it occurs.

For example, here's a Bud Rosewood (Padauk) set I've owned for a few years. The first picture is from the dealer's website, most probably taken shortly after receiving the set and showing a distinct reddish hue.

The next photo was taken a few years after receiving the set.

The last photo is a red sandalwood set I've had for 5-6 years. It had been sitting in inventory for at least 10 years when I bought it and exhibiting an even darker burgundy color.

Sadly It doesn’t take much to turn them into the burgundy color that you mentioned. They come like that brand new from HoS. 

@loubalch - I am not sure if chessroboto is talking about Sheesham. He is referring to the dark brown rosewood, which is sold by the Indian manufacturers asl "Indian Rosewood". This is not dalbergia sissoo but dalbergia latifolia IMHO.

This one is dalbergia sissoo (Sheesham or Golden Rosewood).

And this one is dalbergia latifolia (Indian Rosewood)

@loubalch - The Red Sandalwood is fantastic!!!

Here is a better picture of my largest chess set.  The kings are 5.25" tall.  There is no makers logo anywhere, but I love that everything lays nicely in the drawers.

Hi all,
This is my first post to this forum. I don’t anticipate dropping many posts but I wanted to say thank you many folk on these equipment threads.

Background: I am new to chess. I learned the game when I was young, so I know the rules and how the pieces move but haven’t played for around 30+ years. I started playing online (here on chess.com) during the pandemic lockdowns here in Melbourne, Aus. I am really enjoying playing – mainly with friends and family; in fact, I am addicted - I love the game.

That brings me to this… I wanted chess set. So I started my research. Much of the research occurred through various threads here along with a bunch of online searching and (virtual/online) visits and registration to chess retailers/manufacturers. There is a lot of info out there!

On this site, I tried to focus on objective (or perhaps better worded ‘balanced’) views on pieces, boards and sets. I read passionate discussions about sizes (and related spreadsheets of ratios); the benefits and risks of certain woods; ‘value’ discussions … knights, carving, …. the list goes on. I find it all added to my addiction and my knowledge.

I soon refined my search to a wooden set – something ‘traditional’ – whatever that means – but in short, I had a picture in my head. Something stylish, with a tad of design flare but not too over the top. (All very subjective to be sure.)

My hand was forced a little – in lockdown - I could not visit shops. So online was my choice and thus, I was nervous. Both in terms of not seeing the product in person before buying it and purchasing from manufacturers and brands that I had not heard of previously.

I could go on but I landed at the 2016 Bridle Knight Series sourced through Chess Bazaar. I really liked the double-crowned queen, the high-collared bishop and the especially the knight - nicely carved but not so ornate as to take away from the other pieces. At least in my mind.  

The experience was good, excellent in fact.  CB’s answers to my pre-purchase questions were always prompt and polite and then their re-assurance after I had purchased was comforting too. (For example, I purchased a combination board and pieces and the board arrived first – without the pieces, which was disconcerting. All fine – two different waybills delivered 24 hrs apart via DHL.)

Any qualms – nup. Everything exceeded my expectations. To pick one thing - initially I was surprised that interior of the turret on the rook was not buffed – which stands out more on the white pieces than ebony but that said, I have now looked at it for around 48 hrs and it actually looks conceptually ‘right’ when all pieces are on the board; like the top of the castle would be a tad ‘weathered’. But I am probably just justifying a minor fault issue in my own mind.

Again – thank you to many of the folk here - the list is too long to identify individual posts but so many have been helpful.  It is hard to convey the joy that I am getting from the game and the sheer delight (and relief) that this set turned out as I had imagined. Even better. And... I look forward to buying a set or two more ... next time... maybe a chalet look alike or something similar. Who knows. :-) 

That's a cool set. Looks great on that board. 

Powderdigit,

Congrats on your new set and board! They look great together. There's a core of us here on this forum that are always ready to lend a helping hand. Enjoy!

I've had my heart set on this for a long time. In my search for some funky knights I kept coming back to these. The Dragon Knight! I feel like a kid at Christmas! 

Trigger warning: the board is backwards and the squares may appear too small for these pieces. It's the biggest board I have. (for now.  )

Nice.  Who did you buy it from?

I got it from Chess bazaar, from their imperfect sets. I haven't found any imperfections yet!

I have the Dragon Knight set too...In Bud Rosewood and Ebony...Also from C.B.   Flawless perfection from C.B. here.

As fabulous as the pictures are,they don't convey how spectacularly gorgeous this set really is when seen in the "wood"....I mean "flesh"....Kinda'-

I just picked this up today at an estate sale. I've never seen a blue ceramic set like this before. Does anyone know information about it?

Thank you loubalch and others who responded with such kind comments. Indeed, I appreciate the core folk who are helping with advice on so many chess equipment related topics. As noted, I would not have had the confidence to make this purchase without the depth of analysis, thoughts and advice on the forum. It was a reasonably significant purchase/risk for me - so yes, as MCH says - it feels great to be so satisfied.  Now I am investigating chess clocks and managing my own perceptions of the 'romance' of analogue with the function and accuracy of digital - I am exploring those threads too. I imagine, if I was in Europe or the States I may buy a second-hand analogue chess clock but buying online, I'll probably head for a new Garde Classic or BHB Tiltback or DGT, if digital digital.... And did I mention a more hard-wearing club set of Chavet or even Austrian coffee house style... aargh... I'm addicted.  Thanks again all. 

MCH almost always has words of wisdom!I agree about the "analog thing".

I got one as well and definitely for the romantic element.....Good luck

BANANA