Wow, that's perfect. I don't have anything that straight.
Show us your everyday chess set
I love the chess board. But I hate the chess pieces.
For some reason if the chess design does not have the correct proportions for all the pieces. I just do not like the design.
Yep. King base divided by 0.78 plus 1/8th inch for maximum square size. King no taller than two squares. No more than two pawns diagonally across a square. Or at a minimum four pawns have to fit touching the boundaries of a square.
To clarify, the HoS Liberty Series meets all criteria mentioned, and complies with all FIDE and USCF equipment standards. For calculations, the 2022 U.S. Chess Championship vinyl board has 2.125" squares. ![]()
This morning's rotation consists of my latest aquisition, the HoS Liberty Series (Lacquered) on a 2022 U.S. Chess Championship vinyl board. It's set #12 since I got hooked in May. Fear not, I don't blame any of you for my newfound "addiction". On that note, I have two sets en route, with more sitting in virtual shopping carts as I contemplate endlessly.
Well, I think that looks great. The WT Pinney pattern is effortless to play with and was popular in clubs for a reason. I don't think I have played with a design with pieces that are easier to 'see'. Part of the genius of the pattern is ergonomic as well, and is best understood when actually playing with the pieces. Are these boards still for sale?
beachero
I believe the 2022 u.s. championship board is sold out, unless you want an autographed board, but the Chess Hall of Fame has a number of other vinyl boards for sale.
https://www.qboutiquestl.com/collections/tournaments
I love the chess board. But I hate the chess pieces.
For some reason if the chess design does not have the correct proportions for all the pieces. I just do not like the design.
Yep. King base divided by 0.78 plus 1/8th inch for maximum square size. King no taller than two squares. No more than two pawns diagonally across a square. Or at a minimum four pawns have to fit touching the boundaries of a square.
To clarify, the HoS Liberty Series meets all criteria mentioned, and complies with all FIDE and USCF equipment standards. For calculations, the 2022 U.S. Chess Championship vinyl board has 2.125" squares.
I went back and looked. Expanded the photo. They do look right proportionally. I kind of like the laquer finish. Stunning color contrast with the squares. Those two things combined make it a distinguished set.
Does anyone just own one set ? Surely one set is enough to satisfy your yearning to play a game of chess ?
It's not just about playing the game. It's also about appreciating the artistry and quality of the pieces and/or board. That's why many here have multiple sets, and/or will spend $150 for a set when a $20 set would be good enough to play a game. And that's why I just ordered a set of glass pieces which I may never use for an actual game because I'd be worried about dropping and breaking them. They're going to be put somewhere primarily as decoration.

Coming down in size from my 22.5" with 2.25" HoS Mahogany and Maple Tournament Board, I just changed my everyday study board set-up to this extremely affordable 17.32" (45cm) Slovenia-made Mahogany and Maple Analysis Chessboard with 1.75" (45mm) squares from Muba (aka ChessGamesShop) on Amazon; which just arrived today after less than a week with free shipping.
Seen here as paired with 60oz Ultimate Bobby Fischer Chess Pieces v.3 by Wood Expressions; and, a 6.5" magnetic pocket chess set by Chess Armory - and, illustrating - courtesy of Fred Reinfeld's book - an early and fatal blunder committed by Black in response to White's Bishop's Opening game: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qh5... Nc6??? - Ouch!
While aesthetically the 1.65" base of the Ultimate Fischer King on the 1.75" square might violate the visual elegance of an open field which a smaller based-King would provide; however, I find that in my case, a more dense play-field allows me to "see" the inter-relationships much clearer than on a more open play-field; and, being a Daily Study Set-Up, this works perfectly for me - Your mileage may vary - hence, I tend to prefer the largest piece I can fit on a smaller board.
I will have to see how this new 17" set-up "feels" to me over the next few days; and if these Ultimate pieces don't work after all - being just too dense - I will simply move down in size to a 3.75" HoS Master Series Triple Weighted 1.5" King-base set of Chessmen.; which currently live on a 15" board with 1 5/8th" squares.
As I said, I tend to like my set-ups on the tighter-side.
This morning's rotation consists of my latest aquisition, the HoS Liberty Series (Lacquered) on a 2022 U.S. Chess Championship vinyl board. It's set #12 since I got hooked in May. Fear not, I don't blame any of you for my newfound "addiction". On that note, I have two sets en route, with more sitting in virtual shopping carts as I contemplate endlessly.
Well, I think that looks great. The WT Pinney pattern is effortless to play with and was popular in clubs for a reason. I don't think I have played with a design with pieces that are easier to 'see'. Part of the genius of the pattern is ergonomic as well, and is best understood when actually playing with the pieces. Are these boards still for sale?
Initially, I was somewhat concerned about the piece proportions, but I agree that the pieces are phenomenal in person (finish, weight, sound, balance, grip, visibility, et cetera). I may have to do an in-depth review at some point! The Drueke Player's Choice pieces are also highly regarded as easy-to-see, though I've yet to experience the plastic or wood variants first-hand.
I'm not sure the boards made it to the Q Boutique online shop, as neither the standard nor autographed variants are visible in a "Sold Out" state. I purchased mine across the street from Q Boutique (WCHOF) at STLCC. If you or anyone else is interested, I can inquire when I revisit, then buy/ship them on your behalf via PayPal Friends and Family. Just send me a direct message.
I paid ~$20 discounted, as these newer batches made by Shelby Lohrman of American Chess Equipment are HIGH quality. I reckon his recent production contract with the USCF is well-deserved.
This morning's rotation consists of my latest aquisition, the HoS Liberty Series (Lacquered) on a 2022 U.S. Chess Championship vinyl board. It's set #12 since I got hooked in May. Fear not, I don't blame any of you for my newfound "addiction". On that note, I have two sets en route, with more sitting in virtual shopping carts as I contemplate endlessly.
I share your passion. There is nothing better then a new chess set.! In Wood or plastic.
I have never been happy with HOS top end plastic chess sets I have bought. I saw this plastic set called. Bobby Fischer Ultimate Chess Pieces. On Amazon a couple of weeks a go for less then $60 dollars. So I had to have them. And I had to also get some new boards with the set.
The set is outstanding.
3.75" King with 4 Queens. Set weight is 3.8 pounds.
Pawns 32.72 g
Knights 63.53 g
Bishops 63.14 g
Rooks 60.03 g
Queens 73.14 g
Kings 82.16 g
Omg. That's one of the most fanciest cheap tournament chess set I seen so far.
As much as I love my 60 oz. Bobby Fischer Ultimate Pieces, after a few days of playing them on my new downsized 17" analysis board, I have determined they simply create even too crowded a visual, even for me. - See post # 247 above.
So, it was an easy fix to break out a set of HoS Master Series Triple Weighted 32oz. Chessmen w/ 1.5" base on a 3.75" inch King to better fit the 1.75" squares on the 17" board.
Still 'cozy', but for me, it's juuuust right.
Now I have an excuse to buy another super-inexpensive analysis board from CGS in the 19" size to comfortably use the 1.65" King-base Ultimate Bobby Fischer pieces on !! ![]()
Here's the HoS Master Series Triple Weighted on the CGS 17" board:


This morning's rotation consists of my latest aquisition, the HoS Liberty Series (Lacquered) on a 2022 U.S. Chess Championship vinyl board. It's set #12 since I got hooked in May. Fear not, I don't blame any of you for my newfound "addiction". On that note, I have two sets en route, with more sitting in virtual shopping carts as I contemplate endlessly.
I share your passion. There is nothing better then a new chess set.! In Wood or plastic.
I have never been happy with HOS top end plastic chess sets I have bought. I saw this plastic set called. Bobby Fischer Ultimate Chess Pieces. On Amazon a couple of weeks a go for less then $60 dollars. So I had to have them. And I had to also get some new boards with the set.
The set is outstanding.
3.75" King with 4 Queens. Set weight is 3.8 pounds.
Pawns 32.72 g
Knights 63.53 g
Bishops 63.14 g
Rooks 60.03 g
Queens 73.14 g
Kings 82.16 g
Omg. That's one of the most fanciest cheap tournament chess set I seen so far.
It looks much like the HOS Reykjavik II series chess set in wood for $249. Except the plastic version is much heavier then wood version from HOS. The Plastic version is 3.8 pounds vs the HOS version in wood is 2.2 pounds.
Here is the Reykjavik II series chess set in wood.
It looks nice. Just not my type tho. My type is pieces with long and/or fancy collars. Take the Preston and Chesterfield series from HOS or BCE stage 3 from Noj. Those are my type. Fancy collars but still minimalistic enough designs.
This morning's rotation consists of my latest aquisition, the HoS Liberty Series (Lacquered) on a 2022 U.S. Chess Championship vinyl board. It's set #12 since I got hooked in May. Fear not, I don't blame any of you for my newfound "addiction". On that note, I have two sets en route, with more sitting in virtual shopping carts as I contemplate endlessly.
I share your passion. There is nothing better then a new chess set.! In Wood or plastic.
I have never been happy with HOS top end plastic chess sets I have bought. I saw this plastic set called. Bobby Fischer Ultimate Chess Pieces. On Amazon a couple of weeks a go for less then $60 dollars. So I had to have them. And I had to also get some new boards with the set.
The set is outstanding.
3.75" King with 4 Queens. Set weight is 3.8 pounds.
Pawns 32.72 g
Knights 63.53 g
Bishops 63.14 g
Rooks 60.03 g
Queens 73.14 g
Kings 82.16 g
Omg. That's one of the most fanciest cheap tournament chess set I seen so far.
It looks much like the HOS Reykjavik II series chess set in wood for $249. Except the plastic version is much heavier then wood version from HOS. The Plastic version is 3.8 pounds vs the HOS version in wood is 2.2 pounds.
Here is the Reykjavik II series chess set in wood.
It looks nice. Just not my type tho. My type is pieces with long and/or fancy collars. Take the Preston and Chesterfield series from HOS or BCE stage 3 from Noj. Those are my type. Fancy collars but still minimalistic enough designs.
Chesterfield and Preston series!
Very Stylish. ![]()
It is nice, but they break my #1 rule on buying a chess set. By not having the correct or close to the correct proportions from the king to the pawn. Straight lines are not that difficult.

Hear, Hear! I completely agree with the above illustrated relative proportions, even though I do not always and strictly contain myself to purchases which only subscribe to this aesthetic principle; however, I can tell you that I have passed on far too many sets of Chessmen I would have otherwise loved to have acquired - but, did not - specifically because of the gross violation of this principle of proportion, which made the prospective set under consideration far too unappealing to my eye.
I truly wish more designers and manufacturers would take this principle to heart in the execution of the works they offer for sale.
If they did, I, for one, would be buying even more than I already do.
Just changed sets my current set is a Soviet unweighted plastic set, I was lucky enough to find at a local antique store, a couple years ago.









Agreed, profile adds to the aesthetics. So many places sell misfit sets. Travel sets are hopeless. The pawn base matches the pieces.