Romanian Hungarian Beauty

I am sorry to hear you got covid on your trip. I wish you a speedy recovery. Also congrats on your purchase!

Congrats on your new brio! Pairs nicely with that board. What color is that?

Wonderful set — thank you so much for sharing! 

That's the brown.  At first, I thought I wanted the red but after a lot of back-and-forth, I went with the brown.  I'm very pleased with it.  

Awesome! What height is that king? Sorry you got covid. I just got over it a couple of weeks ago. Mine wasn't bad at all....nothing compared to the flu. The worst part is the quarantine and missing work. Beautiful set though!

Hey Michael - a quick photo from my kitchen noting the height of the king. My Biro Sandor set is still on display so it was  easy enough to grab them and take a shot!

 

I count resist a quick snap - the Biro Sandor set is a joy to play and lovely to display. Couldn’t be happier with this set and I am stoked that this (and other) threads have directed some sales his way. 

@Powder, beautiful setup and photos! @oldquaker, I hope you're feeling better. I haven't seen the brio brown color. Would mind taking some more photos when you're up to it?

Here you go.  As you can see, the brown is very warm so it tends reddish anyway.  That was one of the reasons I chose it.  

Brown Biro pieces:

That looks pretty much like the set I bought privately from someone whose dad had bought it on a business trip in Yugoslavia some time in the 1980s. Not so much brown as cherry red:

I love this set,I was lucky enough to receive it as a gift. Its one of my absolute favorites in terms of look and especially feel. But I do have something I wish was different.

I wish the queen was a little taller . . .

By way of update - I am ordering yet another set from Biro Sandor- for a friend and here’s what I love….

Apart from the beautiful, well made and functional pieces. I love that Mr Sandor continues to make his own sets and he is the business - it’s a one man-show with wonderful customer service too…

Earlier this week he emailed me, apologising for being a tad slow to respond to my query. No apology was necessary, I am in no hurry at all. But here’s the cool thing though… at least in my opinion… he’s busy at …chess!

He’s organising his own anniversary tournament: https://chess-results.com/tnr650260.aspx?lan=1&art=0&turdet=YES&flag=30

and ….

participating in the 2 Senior World Championship competitions: (October 1-10, ACO Senior WC, Crete, GRE and November 14-27, FIDE Senior WC, Assisi, ITA).

How cool that a respected player is doing all this and making great pieces - especially as I believe he is north of 65 years old too. “Well done good man.”… is what I say! 😊👍

 

He definitely keeps busy, @Powderdigit! I received a quote from Biro while he was in Assisi, Italy, to compete in the FIDE Senior World Championship. Talk about customer service! By the way, what kind of board are you using in the images you posted? The way it contrasts w/ Biro's set is stunning. I inquired about his folding tournament board, but he doesn't sell them due to high postage costs.

 As of 11/26/22, Biro's quote for (1) set in any of the (3) stains is as follows:

"The price for 1 chess set (without chessboard) is 250 EUR inclusive priority postal package fee to USA (to Europa 220 EUR)."

Anyone wishing to purchase this set from the original creator and carver, Biro Sandor, contact him via the following:

birosandor64@yahoo.com (or via https://caissa.ro/)

I found these photos of the famous mr. Sandor on caissa.ro and possibly his personal set? I loved the way they aged and weathered down from play. Wish my set will look as cool as this one day.      

 

Excellent that this thread continues to promote Biro’s excellent work and customer service. He’s a living gem. 👍

On the board …. it was the first board I ever purchased bundled with the first pieces I ever got. Here’s the board:

https://www.chessbazaar.com/wooden-chess-board-ebony-sheesham-wood-23-60-mm.html

Please note - I love this board but now that I know what I am looking at (in terms of quality) it is far from perfect - ever so slightly mis-aligned squares and border - but I care not - people always comment positively on it and it looks great displaying many different pieces.

That said, many would now know I enjoy refurbishing second hand boards these days … indeed, the first board in this thread is an old board, refurbished. 👍

I love seeing worn pieces like this. It makes me wonder where they've been, the countless battles undertaken, and who commanded them! Breaking in possessions is a personal joy for me, whether it's a wristwatch, a guitar, chess pieces, et cetera. The natural wear, tear, and experiences build a unique narrative, creating an attachment in the process (probably why I never resell anything lol). I have no doubt your set will accumulate characteristics like this over time!

Late to the party, but the wood grain on the set in the first post is to die for (I'm a complete sucker for a pretty grain).

Anyway, add me to the list of people saving up for an original Sandor set  

@danielaKay - It is lovely. I sold that set and a laminate board (not the board pictured in my original post) to a friend. It’s his first set and he loves it. I didn’t need two sets of a very similar design and I love that I have a set from Biro Sandor. Here’s some updated photos - red on red may not be perfect for playing but it is a beautiful display piece. When I play with it I generally change the board for more contrast.