The Noj Dubrovniks, Which One Do You Like More?

Without question, Noj Ltd of Slovenia makes the absolute best replicas of the original 1950 Dubrovnik Olympiad set and circa 1950-1970 Dubrovnik II Bobby Fischer set. A brief note, there is some evidence to suggest that the Dubrovnik II Fischer style set was actually made sometime shortly after the Dubrovnik Olympiad set. See the link below to my post for more information and the link to the Jonas Youtube Video.  Back to the Noj sets, which set do you like better and why? For the sake of comparison, lets exclude the Noj 4" Dubrovnik II set.

 Noj 1950 Dubrovnik Olympiad Set maple and walnut 89mm
 Original 1950 DubrovnikOlympiad pieces

 The Noj Dubrovnik II maple and walnut, AKA the Bobby Fischer Set 91mm
 original circa 1950-70s Dubrovnik pieces

Here's the links to 2 great YouTube videos on the original 1950 Dubrovnik Olympiad Set

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs1g2FNnkM4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwXQnwsM6lw

And here's a link to my post on the Dubrovnik II style set from the 1950s:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/vintage-dubrovnik-chess-set-1950

And here's a link to a wonderful Jonas Youtube showing his 1950s Dubrovnik II style Chess Set AKA the Dubrovnik Fischer Set:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frFonXo0yew

Gee GNM, now that I see the two sets side-by-side so to speak, I would have to say my favorite is probably a mashup of the two sets. I prefer the King, Queen, Bishop, and Knight from the original 1950 set, but I really like the stouter Rook and Pawn from the Dubrovnik II design.

Beautiful sets, thanks again for posting the pics. One can never get enough of this classic beauty.

Hey Lou, I like your idea of making a hybrid set from the 2 Dubrovniks. But please pick which set you like better.
And you're welcome, its my pleasure sharing these beautiful Noj Dubrovniks 

Okay Mike, if you insist, I prefer the 1950 original. A classic!

I own both, so I can compare directly, not just from pics. I prefer the 1950 over the Dubrovnik II.

Thanks for your pick Lou

Thanks for your pick Frank, BTW, is your 1950 set weighted? I know Noj also offers an unweighted version too.

Your right Robert, when it comes to Dubrovniks, the Noj sets are the only game in town! Thanks for giving your pick

Both Dubrovnik sets are fabulous.  But when buying  a chess set, the determining factor for me is based mainly on the Knight design. I like the Dubrovnik II Knight so much better with all other pieces being equal, hence my pick is for the Dubrovnik II set.

The Dubrovnik fans here have made me a believer.

When it comes to a chess pieces, I'm kind of a King James Bible fundamentalist. I want a mild variation of Staunton with a 3.75" king, period, accept no substitutes.

But there is a coherent beauty to the Dubrovnik set which wins my heart. Someday I will have a Dubrovnik of my own.

Which one?

mike: I haven't thought about it at that level of discernment!

I'm doing good to handle how unstauntonish the knights are and the lack of a finial cross.

OK, when you're ready gives us your pick

By far the 1950 set. I just wish they could give them a slightly aged appearance. 

Thanks for your pick Ron, yeah antiqued boxwood pieces would be sweet!

I think I'll go for Dubrovnik II AKA Fischer Set. I like the more bulbous bishop and the bigger knight profile. I also like the coloring and lack of gloss better, though I'm trying to base my decision on the shape of the pieces.

I'd be very curious to compare their tactile feel.

Hmm. $510. Well, a thing of beauty can be worth it, but just not today.

https://www.noj.si/?mod=catalog&action=productDetails&ID=12&lang=en

Does the USCF have a position on Dubrovnik for tournament play?

There's no question, when it comes to Dubrovnik reproductions, Noj is the only game in town. The HoS and the CB Dubrovnik sets are more of an homage, an "in the style of" creation. I own the HoS Dubrovnik set and I like it for what it is, but if I were nitpicking, the pawn is too short and too narrow, the result being that the set isn't scaled properly. The king is scaled for a 2.25" board and the pawns fit best on a 2.125" board. So it doesn't matter which way you go, something is slightly out of proportion. If you go with the 2.125" board (1st picture below) the king is crowding the square, but the pawns fit nicely. If you choose the 2.25" board (2nd picture), the king fits just right, but now you have 16 pawns (half of all the pieces on the board) looking slightly undersized, like David Byrne of the Talking Heads in his BIG suit (below). The board should fit the pawn the way a suit should fit the man.

On a 2.125" board

On a 2.25" board

Exhibit A: David Byrne. Exhibit B: A Really big suit.

Like Frank, I own both. I acquired the 1950 from Izmet Fekali. It was the first one NOJ produced, and is unweighted. I custom-ordered my Dubro II from NOJ, the larger version in red. I prefer the later version because it's larger, it's heavier and plays better, I'm partial to red, and because NOJ sent me pictures of it in production.