Sándor Biro Chess Set

SpanishStallion does this very well. He suggests things that are either not proven or even misleading. He presents them in a way that sounds factual, hiding them inside well-written looking posts.

It is similar to how Russian trolls operate on social media, trying to start culture wars. He chooses which posts to reply to and ignores others. Including my reply post to him about the origin of the design.

"Sandor Biro chess set is more similar to the original"
"Sandor biro may have tried to save money by using lower grades"
"Sandor Biro produced nowadays are not exactly as aesthetic as the original ones"
"he spends less time on making them or uses newer machinaries for mass production" (LOL)
"wood grade used by Sandor is not the top end"
"Chessbazaar and RCM (...) even stand out better on a 5-5.5 cm square chessboards (for Sandor’s set 4.5 cm square chessboard is better)"
"Biro can also do better if (...) as staining wood requires special technique".

This means he owns at least 3-4 sets, one newer from Biro (maybe an older one too), and replicas from RCM and Chessbazaar. Thus I came to the conclusion that he must really like the design. Yet he has posted zero photos showing his own sets, whether to share his enjoyment or to make a fair comparison in the same setting.

For example, his first post was simply promoting the ripoffs. These sites already get heavy traffic from Google. Just one post before that, I clearly said I needed a Chess.com thread to be able to buy the authentic version.
First, he agreed with stumOnner that maple is less likely to crack than boxwood. Only after in his next post answering to VTVXIV he started claiming that, because of the quality of Biro's maple, their boxwood is better anyway!

Finally, we get to the claim that Mr. Bíró’s workmanship has declined and is “not exactly as aesthetic.” That maybe he can't afford good-quality maple even though he is based in forest-rich Transylvania. But the most ridiculous claim is that he might be using new machines for mass production. So he suggests Biro is a mass producer no matter what, whether he uses old machines or newer ones and that his pieces are not handmade. But if you prefer lighter colors, it is still a good set to own, cause they can't you provide you with those anyway.

This is not just advertisement of ripoffs, mentioning the prices twice to highlight how cheap or affordable they are, but also defamation of IM Biro Sandor, who originally created the so-called Romanian-Hungarian design, which RCM and Chessbazaar simply copied afterward. Just for business sake, or for trolling.

Just like those companies, SpanishStallion refuses to acknowledge the original creator of this design, instead he ignores it. This should be already suspicious and alarming to people of how genuine his posts are. He should also be posting here, that is the ripoff thread.

- Bíró’s pieces are, and always have been, made only from maple.
- He says he no longer makes new pieces. He now only paints pieces that were made years ago and carefully stored. He is 68 years old and has been making these sets for 30 years. Most of his pieces were donated or used to support tournaments.
- Before the 1990s, he worked in a furniture factory in Romania. However, he made his first chess set at age 12 using a foot-operated lathe.
- He applies three layers of eco-friendly, water-based bio-lacquer with a brush. In the past, he used ether-based nitrocellulose lacquer (as shown on his website). He switched to bio-lacquer nine years ago. This means most of you likely already own pieces coated with the bio-lacquer, or should have received your set with that.
- Sweaty hands should not be a problem once the finish has fully cured.
- In my opinion, the OP felonet’s set on 1.75" (about 45 mm) squares looks crowded for the height of the pieces. I used a 55 mm board to display my set, and it looks well balanced. Some people, however, may prefer 50 mm squares for a tighter fit.
- Mr. Bíró has repeatedly said that he values quality over quantity.

stumOnner, I agree with you that the original stain was better quality and that Sandor may not have access to dense wood such as Paduk, rosewood and ebony and has to use staining instead.
Overall, comparing the Sandor Biro set with those of Chessbazaar and Royal Chess Mall I do not notice a huge difference. The knights from the Sandor set are thinner and smaller than those of chessbazaar’s and RCM, also the kings and queens from the chessbazaar’s are very similar to Sandor’s but they are chunkier and stand out better on a bigger board. The bishops from Chessbazaar’s set are more beautifully made and the pawns have chunkier bases. All in all, putting a chessbazaar’s paduk set next to Sandor’s it looks a bigger set with the same design. I would say Sandor’s set is a bit junior size which might be the reason why Chessbazaar decided to reproduce the romanian set in a slightly bigger size. As for maple wood it is lighter colour but its density is not any more than that of boxwood. The maple and red-stained pieces contrast better than boxwood and red-stained but paduk looks much better than red-stained. In conclusion, the sandor set and that of Chessbazaar and RCM are very similar and the main difference is a bit related to size and the use of maple in sandor set and boxwood in chessbazaar’s. The felts and weight in both sets are good. The main beauty of the romanian set in my opinion are the bishops.

I can tell SpanishStallion really likes his boxwood set, that's cool! It's not for me though. Im convinced maple is superior over boxwood, no question. I have maple sets from Brio, NoJ, Oldset (rip). For me, all day maple, but that's my preference. Some folks don't have the means, and I get that. The original Sandor Brio design has stood the test of time for decades, so good others copied it. There are so many posts of complaints about vendors and issues with chess sets. I don't think I have ever saw a complaint about Sandor Brio? I don't mind Spanish posts, these are his opinions. @Ferocissimvs your lucky you got an original Brio and had the pleasure to speak and work with him directly. Thank you for posting. I too would not have found Sandor Brio if it wasn't for people who posted about it. One day, there may not be any sets available directly from Sandor and the boxwood version would have to be settled.

I don't totally like this set! What's wrong with me? But I love it, too: It was elected by Romanian and Hungarian chess players to be their tournament set for decades (and to this day, I think). It was made by a wood-working IM! He often donated sets! He didn't patent it! What a hero!

And how I'd love to enter a tournament hall where kids played with dozens of Biro Sandor's sets and not plastic! What an aesthetic relief that would be and meteoric rise.

Now, I'm for the design by the original artist, of course. While rip-offs are also promotion and dissemination, a good sign for the design, you can't enjoy the paduk or chunkier pieces as much, when you know the artist is not credited, and gets no royalties.. The Indian companies making and selling repros ought to reference Sandor Biro and, once they are at it, contact him and set the record straight. That'd be a headline- all would profit. But okay, it's such an old story, and if they don't change their ways, their bad, and life goes on!

So, while I think Spanish is entitled to his opinions- and, sure, repros could even top their originals- what is a bit misleading in Spanish's posts is the permanent generalizing use of "the Romanian set": As if Biro Sandor was not the maker but just another reproducer.. of his Romanian set

Big shouts out to all designers and makers, thank you, 'cos you are keeping chess alive!

stumOnner, I have nothing against Sandor’s set, in fact, I bought this set many years ago when the price including shipment was $180.
What I have done here is a comparative assessment of Sandor’s and Chessbazaar and RCM sets by putting these sets side by side.
Both boxwood and maple have merits and demerits but also it depends on the grade of each wood. Higher grade boxwood used for making Jaques of London sets nowadays as well as some high quality luxury sets are very dense with a beautiful texture and tone. Also another good thing about high grade boxwood is with time it develops a beautiful patina which is really attractive. High grade maple like the ones used for making the Noj sets is also solid and beautiful and has this shining glassy look that appeals to many. Average and lower grade maple on the other hand has grey streaks, traces and sometimes greyish small spots that may not appeal to many; also maple wood does not develop the beautiful golden patina that boxwood does. All original Jaques of London, BCC and Ayres, Whittey etc sets used boxwood instead of maple. I still love high grade maple in my Noj and Russian sets and they match red colour very well. As for craftsmanship of Sandor’s and Chessbazzar sets they are both good but that of chessbazaar may look better 1) because it is chunkier 2) it is more skillfully crafted because the Indian wood turners have much more experience of making thousands of chess sets everyday and basically that is their full time job.
What makes Sandor’s set different is the use of maple wood instead of boxwood which has its own beauty too. If Sandor could use paduk wood his set would look more impressive. Red-stained is ok but proper staining requires special technique and material. Paduk by nature is red and much more attractive than red-stained.

To make everything clear and settle all matters, if someone ever asks me if I would recommend the Sandor Biro set then my answer would be YES. It is a nice set overall specially as it is made by an international master with his signed name.

Ggfg

Spanish, as I said before I don't own the replica version. It's good to hear the differences from someone who does and a former owner of the original. Thank you for taking the time to post your experiences with both versions. In terms of maple patina I would have to argue that my maple BCE has a beautiful golden patina. This set is left out on display next to a While my Brio has darkened a little but still has tones of white. Brio photos from back in the day also has a similar golden patina. I'm guessing there maybe uv protection in the stain, I don't know? My Brio was left in the dead of sun in Italy for multiple days and no color change. Again thank you for your honest opinion and sharing. -stums

I just reported SpanishStallion for trolling. If anyone thinks the guy shouldn't spam/troll the thread do as I did:

left click on SpanishStallion's name -> button with three dots on it -> report ->

here select first radio-button, "Verbal Abuse / Cursing / Trolling".

Thanks in advance,

F

I just re-read this entire thread and I'm not seeing anything that I would consider trolling from Spanish, just a difference of opinion. Strongly held opinion does not a troll make.

I agree with you Dave. I didn't feel Spanish trolled here and as you said he expressed his strong opinion. A few prior posts ungewichtet mentioned replica vendors give credit to Sandor Brio. It would be great if they they all did eventually pay Sandor Brio the earned royalties. Something to pass down to his son and family for his life's work and creativity. I know that will probably never happen but it sure would be nice. Another thought, Sandor Brio teams up with NOJ when he decides to retire from making his chess set (:

member of the family?

Those ripoff Chessbazaar "knights" with their large vertical nostrils look like pigs to me from the front. Also, totally unrelated, but be careful about lower hygiene standards when unboxing or ordering items from certain parts of the world.

Sorry folks, keeping it short. My juicy T-bone steak is almost done.

stumOnner, thank you also to you for sharing your experiences about the romanian set. Yes,I do have many maple vintage sets from the USSR era, they do develop some sort of patina but the patina is not as homogeneous as the one you get in vintage boxwood. I have many vintage boxwood sets too some of which over 180 years old and the patina has reached 22 carat gold colour, in fact, they are as valuable as 22 carat gold now. Also, generally speaking Chessbazaar and Royal Chess Mall are not the mark of high quality and for quality I trust Staunton Castle and Chess Empire instead but in regard to the romanian set their replica is good and if you can obtain one (I would recommend paduk wood) you could judge for yourself. Surely, Staunton Castle can produce a higher quality replica but to this day they have not done so.

Yes,I do have many maple vintage sets from the USSR era, they do develop some sort of patina but the patina is not as homogeneous as the one you get in vintage boxwood. I have many vintage boxwood sets too some of which over 180 years old and the patina has reached 22 carat gold colour, in fact, they are as valuable as 22 carat gold now. SpanishStallion

Here we go , your many invisible chess sets , Yes he is known for his spaming + being a troll .

Unable to post one photo of his many chess sets ?

His name is Kevin who sells 2nd rate chess sets on ebay + has been banned on chess. com

But keeps coming back with new names .