Top Players' Personal Chess Sets

Does anyone have any information on, or pictures of, the personal chess sets used by top players?

Seems to me a lot of top players don't talk about the size, feel and aesthetics of sets, and are mainly just concerned about having any pieces to hand in order to play/train. In this way pieces are treated fairly abstractly - ‘a bishop is always a bishop; what’s interesting is its present function in a specific context’.

Seems fair enough. But I can't help thinking most players must have amassed a decent collection of sets or at least would have some emotional attachment to certain sets they used at key stages of their lives.

Interested for your thoughts on this...

...for instance, whether some top players keep their first chess set, whether they have $1000 ornamental sets, what they use on the road, whether they stick to DGT nowadays, always use FIDE standard pieces etc.

Thanks guys

Sometimes I think it is only us woodpushers who like to push around nice wood, and the really good players only care about the beauty of the game, no matter the pieces. But somehow I think this is not the case. Would be nice to see some pictures of masters with their own sets at home. And I think this forum allready knows which set Fischer liked...

I have a feeling that top players don't actually need a board.
 

Fischer had a favourite set?!  Who knew?  

Certain journalist, I don't remember the name, made once an interview with Anand with an original format: they would play a game and he would be allowed to make a question each move, so, the longer the game, the longer the interview. When he and Aruna were arranging the meeting by phone, she said: "but you'll need to bring your own set. We don't have any at home".

This thread brought to mind this picture I saw on the BCE blog:

http://bestchessmenever.com/blog/files/champs-set.html

Like ifekali, I would like to know the story behind the poor looking set in Magnus' picture...

Oh, I found it. Unfortunately the entry is in Spanish. http://abcblogs.abc.es/poker-ajedrez/public/post/el-campeon-del-mundo-de-ajedrez-no-tiene-un-tablero-en-casa-14852.asp/

That's a great story, Pulpofeira! Too bad I can't read the article.

And what about that ridiculous queen on Magnus' board?! Really strange.

It's a funny picture. His demeanor looks so serious, but the set infront of him is a mismatch of different cheap sets of all sizes. In a way it represents very well Magnus' approach to chess and life, he likes to have a bit of fun.

I have a friend who met Vishy Anand at the airport in the economy class lounge who played a couple blitz games with him. Vishy ended up taking a couple pictures with him, and then gave him a HoS Championship Series set as a present. 

speaking of Levon, whats happening to his chess?

Lost around 60 points within the last year.

There was an interview with John Nunn (English GM) recently on BBC Radio, he claimed that Magnus Carlsen is another top player who doesn't own a chess board.  Hard to believe but then again does every gynecologist keep a speculum in the kitchen drawer?  Mind you, I suppose most gynecologists don't practice at home.