Spanish Olive and Caoba Set

When interest in Spanish sets was generated a few months back I, too, was swept away. However, I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend for a set. Though prices weren't high, I did not want to pay for shipping. (Of course if I wasn't married price would not be an issue.) Anyway, I decided to wait a bit since I would be traveling to Spain in the spring.

I recently got back and I loved the trip. But while I was there I resigned myself to not finding a chess set. I was on tour traveling with a group and my freedom to roam was rather limited. There was no way I'd run into a chess shop at random.

One day we were in Granada visiting the old moorish palace, the Alhambra (which was quite spectacular), and afterwards walked down the road to the old town. It turned out that the road we walked down housed four or five chess shops. Needless to say I was thrilled. I found my Spanish set.

The view from the Alhambra:

Taking the road down and finding chess shops:

And my set. It's olive and caoba, size 5, with the Kings standing in at 3.5 inches. The olive might be distracting for some players. I don't mind. I rather like it.

The line-up:

The caoba pieces seem quite dark but with light, the nice red color comes out. The first is without flash, the second with:

And the caoba Knight:

When I first saw the Spanish set all those months ago, I was not impressed. Then the set grew on me. After having seen the set in its context, I developed an appreciation for it. And when I saw it on the inlaid chessboards with their geometric moorish designs, it was stunning.

Gorgeous set UpcountryRain.  Thanks for sharing some pics of your set along with some pics of Granada including the chess shop. I like the olive and caoba woods and would have no problem playing with this set. The olive wood is not a distraction to me. Did you buy any other sets? 

Thanks, goodknightmike, the pleasure is mine. No, I didn't pick up anything else. I had already resigned myself to going home empty-handed and ordering a set online. So when I saw this set (of many) I was more than happy. My wife - the darling - asked me if I wanted anything else since we were there but I was already happy and very satisfied.

Love your set, Up. Excellent photos, too. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

Up, I love that set.

Both of the woods are great.  I really like the graining of the olive wood.  And that caoba wood looks intriguing with the way the color changes with the lighting.

I also appreciate your pictures of Spain.  My father's parents came to the U.S. from Spain.

Well, once again I find myself having chess set envy.  Now I need to try to find a set like this one.

Thanks, cgrau. It was a great trip. If I keep working my wife's phone, someday I may get to take great pics like you.

I'd say you already do!

Thanks, Eyechess. Yep, olive wood is quite remarkable. As for the caoba, I don't know if it is naturally red or if these pieces are stained, but it is nice.

Maybe you can visit the homeland one day and pick up a set. If you spend some time I'm sure you'll find a lot of to choose from. I was in a bit of a hurry.

Yes! My friends and I like to use them sometimes when we're not strolling through the park playing a game in our heads.

Thanks, verylate. I'm glad I learned about the Spanish set here in the forums. It made my recent trip to Spain that much more enjoyable. And the olive is nice.

Thanks, rcmacmillan. Wow! I had no idea about the olive wood turning dark like that. Does it matter if it's varnished? Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll keep it tucked away in its box when I'm not using it.

Very nice, did you buy also the board?

Beauty of a set UpcountryRain. 

Pulpofeira, no, I didn't and I regret not doing so. It's just that it was just too big for me to lug around on tour. Otherwise I would have been even happier.

Thanks, wiscmike. I like it!

Thanks, informaticacobach29. It is one of my favorites. Initial reactions have all been "wow"s and big eyeballs.

Granada was absolutely lovely even with the rain. I can only imagine what it would look like on a clear sunny day.

UpcountryRain, In this kind of spanish set, wonderful. The olive and caoba are superb in contrast. A sugestion? Try to put this set in a green / white board...Rechapados Ferrer ex:. I think  this set will show all is marvellous "salero".

Thanks, BurnAmos, that's a good idea. I think I will shop around for one.

BurnAmos, I was just eyeing up cgrau's board with his Spanish set:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/my-new-spanish-set

Now I'm not going to be able to sit still until I have one.

Very Cool !! Makes me wonder if they ever made a set out of burlwood ?