Ha! Powder is one of the "classic" forum members and collectors here. I wouldn't be surprised....He's up to a zillion sets these days.
Me? Only 27 & 4 big boards. I have too many hobbies to shovel money around....Yuk!
Sándor Biro Chess Set
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I have No will of my own / @Powderdigit made me buy it ! 
@PWalker1 I couldn't agree more with your points. The Euro design and manufacturing particularly appealed to me. Also your comment about the Knight - you can just picture it looking at you once it's invaded an outpost in your territory! Tremendous!
I just received notification that my half-set has shipped from Mr. Biró - can't wait for it to arrive
Jul 11, 2025
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#25
Ah everyone … reading this thread is making me smile and believe me, 2025 has been less than ideal for a whole range of reasons - so you all making me smile is appreciated!
@felonet - congratulations and I am glad you are happy. The pieces are wonderful and you’ve inspired me to take mine to the pub soon. Watch this space!
As per my other thread - I think it’s wonderful when we can celebrate a designer who is also a carver too. For so many sets, the woodturner/carver is anonymous but not here - a tip of the hat to GM Biro Sandor. 👍
Jul 11, 2025
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#26
baudouin27 wrote:
Felon,
I hope you’ll get a lot of pleasure from this set. It’s a rare thing to find a set from the original designer, made somewhat to your taste (weighted/unweighted, several stain options). And a set that has been copied widely by Amritsar. I jumped in a while back and love this unique set (when my wife gets annoyed at a new set turning up, I always blame Powderdigit - seems to work; good thing he lives far away though! 😂 - but it was one of his posts that brought me to Sandór).
🤦♂️ 😆😆😆…. I suppose there are worse vices than chess - so it’s ok if I am blamed for this.😆 On a serious note - I am glad that I have had a positive influence of directing people to Biro … it’s great that people are buying direct from the man himself. Of course - thanks to Holger for re-directing me early on too. 👍
Beautiful set! Love the design; great choice with the red stain.
Thank you - note to all:
This is the color “brown” when ordering from Mr Biró. It appears reddish in person however I wonder if it will darken over time
This is the color “brown” when ordering from Mr Biró. It appears reddish in person however I wonder if it will darken over time
Great set!
Love the knights.
Love the knights.
...
Yes / No / yes Powderdigit is telling me to buy https://www.antiquechessshop.com/product/ref3473-jaques-staunton-club-size-chessmen/ It seem he part of the Matrix ,
Jul 12, 2025
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#33
baudouin27 wrote:
Walks like a duck. Quacks like a duck. DKW.
Sigh. You may be right. I guess time (and the attack rate) will tell.
If so, he's not being aggressive....Even with my own history with the guy, I say let it slide.
Just my 2 cents.
Jul 14, 2025
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#35
I love this set - it was my first "nice" set. I never would have thought of using it on a 1.75" board but it looks great!
I will have to seriously consider purchasing a half set in Black as well. I only have a handful of sets but none of them are stained black..
Feb 23, 2026
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#36
Hey yo guys,
Today I became the proud owner of this authentic Bíró figurine set, along with the board. I’m absolutely thrilled! My photos don’t do justice to how amazing these figurines look in person.
Board is Ferrer's non-deluxe Queen's Gambit board with 55mm squares that I bought from here.
Feb 23, 2026
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#37
FEROCISSIMVS wrote:
Hey yo guys,
Today I became the proud owner of this authentic Bíró figurine set, along with the board. I’m absolutely thrilled! My photos don’t do justice to how amazing these figurines look in person.
Beautiful! Wonderful to see them in black. I suspect there’ll be a flurry of orders now to Sandór for half-sets in black!
Fantastic, felonet!! Good on Bíró Sandor!!
Feb 25, 2026
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#39
Brilliant! Congratulations.
Here is my journey to the wonderful chess pieces made by Sandor Biro … it took a little while but I got there. 👍
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/romanian-hungarian-beauty
Here is my journey to the wonderful chess pieces made by Sandor Biro … it took a little while but I got there. 👍
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/romanian-hungarian-beauty
Feb 25, 2026
0
#40
@Powderdigit
I also came across those Hungarian-Romanian replicas on various websites and almost bought one. However, as a Hungarian chess newbie, I became curious about the true origin of the design and who it was originally attributed to.
It was these posts on chess.com that helped me purchase an authentic set instead, so many thanks for that!
I even had the chance to speak to the man himself on the phone, and he indicated that production might cease this year, as he intends to concentrate on tournaments.
@baudouin27: “I jumped in a while back and love this unique set (when my wife gets annoyed at a new set turning up, I always blame Powderdigit - seems to work; good thing he lives far away though! 😂”
@felonet: “One of my internet chess friends made me buy another set - his name is Powderdigit! I had no choice!!”
Lmao. Guys, I’m jumping on board with this next time my girlfriend passively passes judgment with “You bought more chess stuff?”. Sorry, @Powerdigit!
Somewhere in a pub Powder's looking up from his beer or his board and wondering, "Why do I suddenly feel a cold wind blowing?"