Some Board & Piece Combinations

Thanks Chuck, agreed, a side by side comparison would be interesting. 

Verylate, I love those chunky M.I. knights, but they looked so -- inanimate. I think the wobbly eyes give them some much needed 'personality'. 

Plus, it's a subtle way to psych out my opponents. For whatever subterfuge they're up to -- my knights will always keep an eye, or two, on them. Like the Mona Lisa, the eyes stare at you from everywhere on the board!

Lou, you might have something there with that Capybara...

Could be...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJnBp-UUy8I

Oh my.

That's a good one... 

Using those eyes at a tournament... 

I'm thinking it just might distract your opponent a little and the TD, not sure there is rule that says you would have to take them off. 

Ken, It would be interesting to see what they'd say. My guess is, so long as my opponent doesn't complain, it wouldn't be an issue.

Although the larger 2.5" chess board that matches the M.I. set might be too big for some tournament set ups.

Lou.. the M.I. set looks really nice. I really like the Knights & Rooks. I almost pulled the trigger on this set a while back until I found out it was a large set.

It is a larger set, but if you use a 2.5" board without a frame, the footprint is the same as a 2.25" tournament size vinyl board with indexing (20" x 20").

Just a quick note of thanks to all who have contributed to this topic. Great photos and input from all.

Chuck, your efforts do not go unappreciated. I'm sure there are many others who may not mention it. 

I actually do not own it (yet!), but lately I have been lusting after this particular combination available on the HoS website.  It's the Zagreb Elite (3.875" king) in ebony and golden rosewood on an elm burl with birdseye maple board.  This set is truly stunning!

I think the contrast is superb.  I love the real ebony, and although the golden rosewood looks a bit dark (as though two sets of black pieces are playing against one another), I'm willing to live with that given the over all experience.

So much beautiful and natural wood texture here.  The maple and elmwood board just ties it all together--particularly the white squares compensating for two sets of dark pieces.

About the only things missing from this set (in my humble estimation) are a larger king size (something over 4") and a truly intricate knight, like several of the other HoS sets on offer.  That said, this set has a very pleasing simplicity to it, and the contrasting woods more than make up for any shortcomings.

Now if I just had a spare $400 lying around. . . .

Thanks, SirB!

Very nice. I picked up another prestige line set. For me, there proved too little contrast between the "black" and "white" pieces to play with. As to the $400, you have some options. Either raise your hourly rate or bill another half-hour. JK

PhillyLawyer,

I have to agree with Chuck, the HOS prestige sets, though beautiful, don't offer enough contrast, unless you're playing under a spotlight.

For the same price, why not consider the blood rosewood version. It's a very classy looking set with a great contrast between colors.

CB has one for $199. (Of course, you get what you pay for.)

Ebonised or ebony pieces belong on an ebony board, there's just something classical / romantic era about that set-up . . . 

Even though the board isn't wooden. It gives my Sheesham and Boxwood Zagreb set a beautiful contrast and look.

@verylate and endgame347 Thanks for the nice comments.

@KnightsForkCafe Where did you purchase that board from? I've never seen one like that.