I used to use the standard uscf plastic chess set that costs about $30 give or take. But now I have my own wooden chess set... using the cheapest options available
Show us your everyday chess set
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Dec 12, 2021
0
#24
Mine is the plastic Staunton-style set that I used in my (simul) draw with Tal.
I use different sets all the time and my favorites are constantly changing. The one I am probably using most is the Zagreb set shown in the first picture with a king size of 3.8", which is a perfect size IMO. Recently, however, I favored the Japanese Golden Castle set shown in the second picture, which is even slightly smaller with 3.5", but perfectly weighted and balanced. And sometimes I feel the need to use larger pieces, in which case I currently tend to favor the 1979 Rio de Janeiro Interzonal set shown in the third picture with a king size of 4.5", which is also pleasantly weighted (by which I mean reasonably weighted, but not overly heavy).
@MCH818 I have seen more Golden Castle sets with a box than with this type of fitted case. Yet I have no reason to believe it is not an original case. The well-known Golden Castle label is firmly attached to the underside of the case. What I noticed, however, is that these fitted boxes usually come with the later label of Golden Castle, in which the "Occupied" has been deleted, i.e. which do not read "Made in Occupied Japan", but rather "Made in Japan". I suppose that this second type of label was only used after the occupation of Japan ended in 1952, so maybe these fitted boxes were only introduced at that time. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find any detailed information on the company and its chess sets other than the various threads in this forum.
Dec 13, 2021
0
#28
@EfimLG47 - lovely sets / it must be very satisfying to rotate between so many wonderful sets - in essence letting the mood of the day drive your selection. It’s a bit like how some of us might match music to our mood…
On the Golden set - could “65907” mean something - a date or a sequential number perhaps? Could the set have been made in ‘65 for example?
On the Golden set - could “65907” mean something - a date or a sequential number perhaps? Could the set have been made in ‘65 for example?
Powderdigit hat geschrieben:
@EfimLG47 - lovely sets / it must be very satisfying to rotate between so many wonderful sets - in essence letting the mood of the day drive your selection. It’s a bit like how some of us might match music to our mood…
On the Golden set - could “65907” mean something - a date or a sequential number perhaps? Could the set have been made in ‘65 for example?
On the Golden set - could “65907” mean something - a date or a sequential number perhaps? Could the set have been made in ‘65 for example?
@Powderdigit - I have seen labels, in which a handwritten number was inserted after "SM 302". This was, I suppose, a sequential number, just like in the early Jaques sets. But even at the time when the "Occupied" was deleted, this number was in the low 1,000s, so I doubt that "65907" is a sequential number. Don't know what it really is. I might ask Chuck, if he has any idea.
Dec 20, 2021
0
#30
With limited space on my desk, here's my "daily driver" - Chavet 141/3 on a Chess House 15" Acacia (1.5" square size):
As you see, my opponents phone in their moves and I follow up with mind-numbing blunders. 
Wow, @GrandPatzerDave, as a huge fan of smaller boards and pieces, I would *love* that chavet 141/3 set. ❤️
Dec 20, 2021
0
#32
I use a wooden folding board. The company I bought it from is German, but the set was made in Poland. It’s cheap, (I bought it for $66) the pieces are hornbeam and the board is beech and birch. Certainly not the best but I’m happy with the quality, I think it looks quite nice for the price I bought it for.
It’s incomparable to the other sets on this thread, but it’s good enough for me. I’m planning on buying some better, more expensive pieces before the year is over, maybe just a higher quality set altogether.
Dec 20, 2021
0
#33
lotsoblots wrote:
Wow, @GrandPatzerDave, as a huge fan of smaller boards and pieces, I would *love* that chavet 141/3 set. ❤️
Thanks, it's nice and cozy on the Chess House board. It was an eBay find with a leaning black king. But I don't mind - it helps me remember to castle!
That's a nice one mister Gov! I've never seen that in red. This is mine.
My everyday set is back to the Staunton Castle Chavet reproduction. I don't know if I was incredibly lucky or if their store's photos are just incredibly bad, but I feel like I hit the goldmine with this one. It checks almost every single one of my boxes and I just love it. Far and away my favorite set that I own (WC, Timeless, CB Dubrovnik 3.0, Wood Ultimates, etc.).
As always, excuse the (lack of) photography skills and the dingy table which we're *still* trying to replace.
Back to the ‘blind knights’…..
I prefer the Tal knights with no eyes too.
I prefer the Tal knights with no eyes too.
lotsoblots wrote:
My everyday set is back to the Staunton Castle Chavet reproduction. I don't know if I was incredibly lucky or if their store's photos are just incredibly bad, but I feel like I hit the goldmine with this one. It checks almost every single one of my boxes and I just love it. Far and away my favorite set that I own (WC, Timeless, CB Dubrovnik 3.0, Wood Ultimates, etc.).
As always, excuse the (lack of) photography skills and the dingy table which we're *still* trying to replace.
Waiting for your review of the CB Dubros 3.0! 
My current everyday chessmen are the Incaisa Alpha Sumos 
grownupboy,
The following link takes you to the Etsy listing:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/868290993/latvian-chess-set-reproduction-wooden?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details
It appears that he is sold out for that set at this time.
It appears that RetroMaximum has this set in stock again if any of you are still interested.