The Making of Noj Chess Sets
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the BCE were used in a few official FIDE tournaments
May 28, 2019
0
#43
MGT88 wrote:
the BCE were used in a few official FIDE tournaments
Really? That's cool! Why not have some variety and show off different sets at different tournaments? Add some interest.
I like the Sinquefield sets, and the fact that they sell them off after the tournament (but not cheap!).
I understand the thinking behind it; they want a “standard” set of equipment to make chess more like a “sport”; different sets/boards would make the game seem a little less “serious”/respectable to the layman
May 28, 2019
0
#45
The BCE, Stage 2 is the same set but with collars added for tournament play, according to Jonas the creator.
I own a BCE Stage 2, Eastern (no King cross or bishop miter), in Walnut. And my set also has the Stainless Steel bases.
Now that you mention it, this set, would look just as good, or better, than the FIDE one. Of course that would then put a big burden on Gregor and his brother and father to produce so many sets.
here are some photos from an official tournament: https://www.noj.si/?mod=catalog&action=productDetails&ID=169&lang=en
forked_again wrote:
BonTheCat wrote:
forked_again wrote:
I normally don't like modern sets but that is a really pretty one. I like the metal bases.
It makes you wonder WTF FIDE was up to when they commissioned their official pluguglies. They had a wonderful modern set right under their noses. The metal-ring base makes all the difference, I think.
I agree with you about the official FIDE set. I read it was modern yet traditional, but really it is neither. Just looks like a bad set of compromises. I don't think FIDE would ever go for anything as modern as the NOJ modern set.
Chances of that are slim to none!
The official set is, as you say, looks like a whole load of poor compromises. No inherent harmony or beauty.
The finished newly revisioned product. The Dubrovnik Minceta chess set by Noj in Red stained maple. Simply Dazzling!
May 29, 2019
0
#51
Wow, that is very nice. Where is this picture from?
Now I am wondering if I should get one of these red Minceta sets as well...darn you....thanks.
Instagram, Noj just posted this about 20 minutes ago. I was thinking the same although I have a red Dubro but the staining and waxed finish polishing here is magnificent! I'll opt for the brown stained version. Need one of those for sure in this new offering from Mr. Gregor.
QtoQlevel3 wrote:
The finished newly revisioned product. The Dubrovnik Minceta chess set by Noj in Red stained maple. Simply Dazzling!
beautiful
Eyechess wrote:
Wow, that is very nice. Where is this picture from?
Now I am wondering if I should get one of these red Minceta sets as well...darn you....thanks.
I believe they just recently had their entire product line professionally photographed; we should probably be seeing new photos on their site soon
May 29, 2019
0
#55
QtoQlevel3 wrote:
Instagram, Noj just posted this about 20 minutes ago. I was thinking the same although I have a red Dubro but the staining and waxed finish polishing here is magnificent! I'll opt for the brown stained version. Need one of those for sure in this new offering from Mr. Gregor.
Yes, I also have a red Dubrovnik II. And the brown is a much more useful color. So, I'll be happy with the brown one I will be receiving next week. I just paid for mine. They said it needs to settle or cure for a couple of days or so, then they well be shipping it at the beginning of the week.
@Eyechess, how do you store your fine chess sets? Do you have a specific vendor for chess boxes?
I prefer fitted cases which can be expensive. But for sets that are $500+, a fitted case may be worth it to prevent pieces bumping against each other.
brother7 wrote:
@Eyechess, how do you store your fine chess sets? Do you have a specific vendor for chess boxes?
I prefer fitted cases which can be expensive. But for sets that are $500+, a fitted case may be worth it to prevent pieces bumping against each other.
@brother7 : I use these boxes (which is also what Noj ships some of their BCE in): https://www.regencychess.ca/chess-cases-bags/root-wood-burl-chess-case?zenid=760akv27ga006s5r96u47dcfa0. The reason I like these is because they are tall enough to house 4" kings standing up (note, however, that you need two to store 34 pieces); I think upright storage is better than fitted storage because the pieces are not allowed to "breathe" in a fitted coffer (half of its surface is buried in the lining material); just my two cents. If you prefer fitted, the same manufacturer makes this: https://www.regencychess.ca/chess-cases-bags/root-wood-burl-compartment-chess-case?zenid=760akv27ga006s5r96u47dcfa0. I don't think a nice box/coffer is really necessary unless you are moving the pieces around alot; if you are simply storing your pieces at home, the black box Noj ships their pieces in is perfectly adequate (it is big enough to store 34 pieces standing up); the only thing a box does for pieces is keep dust off them and provide an atmosphere that is more consistent than open air.
May 29, 2019
0
#58
brother7 wrote:
@Eyechess, how do you store your fine chess sets? Do you have a specific vendor for chess boxes?
I prefer fitted cases which can be expensive. But for sets that are $500+, a fitted case may be worth it to prevent pieces bumping against each other.
I use Plano boxes for all my sets.
Here are 2 pictures of my Brown stained Noj Dubrovnik II set in its box. Note that I use a fibrous foam, called something like Nu Foam or something like that. I buy it at Joann Fabrics.
Eyechess wrote:
brother7 wrote:
@Eyechess, how do you store your fine chess sets? Do you have a specific vendor for chess boxes?
I prefer fitted cases which can be expensive. But for sets that are $500+, a fitted case may be worth it to prevent pieces bumping against each other.
I use Plano boxes for all my sets.
Here are 2 pictures of my Brown stained Noj Dubrovnik II set in its box. Note that I use a fibrous foam, called something like Nu Foam or something like that. I buy it at Joann Fabrics.
Do you have a link for the plano box you used to store your Dubrovnik II in the photo you just posted?
May 29, 2019
0
#60
My trick for chess piece storage is to use a cheap plastic handgun box. For my Isle of Lewis set, I use a 4 pistol box which has 2 Layers. ! layer holds all the white pieces and then under that foam is all the red pieces. For a smaller Staunton set probably a 2 gun case would do. You can get them for 10 or 15 bucks on Amazon, or Tractor Supply, or Murdocks. The foam holds them very securely in place. No moving around and no need to wrap or add padding. 
I normally don't like modern sets but that is a really pretty one. I like the metal bases.
It makes you wonder WTF FIDE was up to when they commissioned their official pluguglies. They had a wonderful modern set right under their noses. The metal-ring base makes all the difference, I think.
I agree with you about the official FIDE set. I read it was modern yet traditional, but really it is neither. Just looks like a bad set of compromises. I don't think FIDE would ever go for anything as modern as the NOJ modern set.