...I got my chess set at Wal-Mart, for 20 dollars. And it serves it's purpose.
1200 dollar chess set? Are the pieces solid gold?
Quality chess pieces
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As the price of a chess set rises, after a point ($100 or so) any remaining bits of practicality give way entirely to luxury, and both Jaques of London and the House of Staunton at the price range you mention (and a fair bit below too) are both that. What you see is basically what you get -- these sets are made more to be looked at than played with. If you're really interesting in playing more than a show item, any high-quality tournament set will do the trick and would be a fraction of the price.
That said, with that kind of money to blow on chess, I would totally spring for a DGT e-board. Sure, they're expensive, but at least (unlike the other boards) they do something really cool that you can't otherwise really replicate and at least to me they look just as good as many of the luxury sets.
At that price range, both HOS and JOL offer sets of equivalent quality in my opinion. However, the JOL standard appears to be a 3.5" king (historically significant), while the HOS standard is a 3.75" king (modern tournament size). So for roughly the same money you can either get a larger set from HOS or the prestigious name from JOL.
I guess it comes down to whether or not you are interested in paying a premium to feel connected to JOL's 160-year legacy.
Hos is better get something from there. I actually have a magazine from them
You may have to be patient if you want to score an eBay deal on a high-end HOS set. They only seem to have about three sets on eBay at a time lately, and unless you are dying to get one of those three, you could be waiting a while. The prices are great compared to the normal website prices, plus many of these sets are eBay "exclusives" limited to only 10, which I suppose makes them instant collector's items. But if you don't like the styles being sold, then I doubt any of that really matters.
Aug 2, 2012
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#7
I am REALLY very happy that I got my HOS set off ebay when I did. Originally wanted a Morphy set, but am very very happy with my Ebony/Blood Rosewood Reyakjavik II set. Doesnt look like HOS are having any more ebay auctions with their "regular" sets. Seems to be "ebay only" limited runs that frankly, I dont think compares to what they offer on their regular site.
I just had an email from HOS. They have assured me the quality of the sets offered on eBay are the same quality as those costing nearly twice as much.
I am on a back order list for the Collectors series set in Blood Rosewood and natural Boxwood. Price 489.50. Original retail price $900.+
I am in the market for high quality chess pieces. Is there a quality difference between Jacques of London and The House of Staunton? I'm looking at the $800 to $1200 dollar range....