Romanian Hungarian Beauty

Well good folk of the forum, another set has found its way into my abode. Let’s call it retail therapy after a hard few months at work and a recent health scare … nothing fatal - just a bit crap and there’s a pun in there that I won’t go into! 

Do I need another set? no.

Did I want another set? YES! 😉

So what this time?  Another set of pieces from left field or … certainly not common and one that I have considered for a while now. A version of the Romanian Hungarian pieces - these from Chess Bazaar.

I closely considered numerous other variants of these pieces including HoS (out of stock) and Royal Chess Mall. There were some magnificent other sets too at, from memory, Oldset and Retromaxim but I ended up at CB where I made a decision on a balance of style, price and a dark rosewood that I don’t have in my collection. 

Why this set? It’s different from what I have and for a while now I have been attracted to simpler designs - the Fide/Weil knight, a Chavet knight, the recent modern Australian set from Khopa…

In this amateur’s eye, this knight is of that simpler aesthetic - the scarce lines give great shadow play and there’s even a slight snarl/lip curl to the mouth. That said, it does not have the menace of some of the higher end versions out of the Ukraine for example. I can also appreciate and understand that some people may think it too simplistic or even dopey looking. Each to their own. That said, I love it.

On Chess Bazaar - the service from the team (and Vik) was prompt and courteous and delivery fast. The quality of this set at a fair price (after a discount) - exceeded my expectations. I pictured a mid-range set - I feel I received something of higher quality than mid-range - perhaps not glossy luxury per se but excellent nonetheless. High end in my view.

I hope the pictures from my phone do it justice. In the flesh it is wonderful. Rock solid, easy to hold and wonderfully playable. I might provide a bit more info on weights, size etc .. when I get a chance. 

What have you got there mister? 😳 

All I can say, excellent choice! I've got exactly the same for the same reason, that 'want' part lol 

Rosewood is my favorite wood next to padauk. 

Cheers Michael. Interestingly - initially I baulked at buying this set because I wasn’t sure about the king’s extra large finial. Yet, now that I have the pieces in the hand - the design seems more congruent and the pieces work together well. Website photos can be weirdly misleading - these pieces are defiantly better in the hand.

Looks can be deceiving yes. I like this design very much, it's utilitarian with a touch of aesthetic 👌 

I tend not to try to find that out on my own pieces, but I do encourage people to find that out on their own pieces.

Are you sure it's one pieces knight mister? You know looks can be deceiving.

The set is among the most attractive and playable chess sets of modern times in my opinion. However, what I find extremely problematic about the various reproductions of this set is the obvious infringement of existing copyrights. This type of set was designed by IM Biró Sándor, who is (a) still alive and (b) still offering these pieces for sale. In other words, the various Indian manufacturers offering this type of set are fishing in foreign waters. For an Indian manufacturer to come out with this design and take credit for someone else's is distasteful at best and, on closer inspection, illegal. But that has never bothered Indian manufacturers, unfortunately.

Biró Sándor is both a carpenter and a chess player, also a Hungarian ethnic but from the central part of Romania, not related to the carving tradition in the West of the country. He is not even actually a Hungarian, but a Szekler which is a minor ethnic Hungarian speaking community. He introduced the design in 1992. At some point, in the beginning of 2000s, without Mr. Biró’s knowledge and permission, CB and others started replicating the set while Mr. Biró, who decided not to take any action or press charges, was deprived of his copyright, profits and recognition, which is why I prefer the original and take the opportunity to also once again point out the availability of the same on Biró Sándor's website https://caissa.ro/ChessSet/

Valid point mister H. I wish mr Sandor would offer those in two woods combo.

edit: what the heck, if you don't ask than you wouldn't know  I just send a mail to mr Biro to ask if he would make them in two woods combo.

pinocchio wuz made a wood

I am saddened by this news Holger and frustrated that I did not know or recollect this and your reference to Biro’s website (as you mention you ‘once again point out the availability’ on Biro’s website). While I realise that many sets made in India (and/or other places are variants of existing designs) - or reproductions - this set/these pieces seem to a be specific issue. It may be best that I delete my thread and or my pictures/original post and leave your explanation and reference to Biro’s website!

Mark, this was by no means meant as a criticism and I am not sure you could have known when you decided to purchase this set. The fault is entirely on the manufacturers who ignore existing copyrights. The set remains a beautiful one and I would regret, if you decided to delete this thread. Leave it as it is! My only purpose was to give credit to the creator of this magnificent design and to point out that these sets can also be purchased directly from him.

Excellent addition to an apparently growing collection....Hmm? What's next? I await it with baited breath.

Oh, great new chess set, Powder! Love the Queen and Bishop, but the Knight is cool too. You’d almost think Daniel Weil got his inspiration for his Knight from this set.

As you say, the set has nice simple lines, but it also has its own personality — and distinct features. The pieces seem… friendly! 

I believe it started with 4 lockdowns 4 sets. Now the lockdown has been lifted I guess the restriction to 4 sets too 

As a Hungarian club player teenager, I always wanted a proper wooden ches set back in the eighties. Only plastic was available. Then in 1992, the chess european championship was held in Hungary, and Mr. Bíró's set was used, and I was the happiest kid to get this set. I have it since then, I love it, with lot of memories. Now this set is officially my kids set, as it is very durable, indistructable basically. The horse, rook and bishop are the stars of this set and I agree, that Daniel Weil's knight shows some resemblance to it. My criticism with this set is the pawns are way too big, the queen and king are too light compared to the other minors.

One interesting small detail is, that the original version hade little different kings and queens, and did not have reversed colors on the bishop heads. This original version was never sold to the public according to my knowledge, only the one you can buy today.

These pictures were taken by Mr. Bíró himself, found on muvelodes.net site.

Do not delete this thread, I hope Mr. Bíró will get couple orders from us. 

Hi dobtom, what does OG stand for? Kept saying "original gangsta" in my head when reading and don't think it's right (:

Thank You, I have corrected it.

Sounds like it is the OG of Biro's! Thank you for sharing. Didn't know the first original design didn't have the reversed colors. I have 2 Brio's and do enjoy them. Was yours made of maple as well? Would you mind sharing photos of your set and how it aged when time permits?

To be honest, I do not know what wood it is made of, but I assume it is maple, and the dark pieces are just painted.

It aged very well, only the white pieces turned darker, no chipping at all, no rattling weights, loose felts,  or anything like that although the pieces were dropped many times.

I do not have good pictures, but attach a couple shots made in a hurry this morning.