crapitysmatty, that's the exact same set I'm gonna get, except at wholesalechess. After shopping around, I think that's clearly the best combo for the money. I'm gonna use those pieces for knockaround and also get the HOS Collector set. I need the bag ($13) and board ($3) anyway, and so it's only another $9 for the combo. I still want the HOS pieces. It all works out being pretty inexpensive.
http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/Executive+Tournament+Chess+Set+Combo
Nice find! I don't think wholesalechess.com had it for that low before, else I'm just not very good at finding deals. :P
Are you referring to these pieces?
If so, that's a prospective purchase I may make in the future, after I find a decent chess clock.
Thanks silentfilmstar13. I think I'll order one in addition to the vinyl that wil come with my combo set. I was gonna order a second board anyway. Might as well try the mousepad rather than a second vinyl.
crapitysmatty, yes, the Supper Staunton. Elsewhere they're just called the Collector Set. I have some nice pictures of them from the House of Staunton website, link in a post above. Goldendog also has some nice pics of the pieces on some of his boards at home, links in a post above.
Order submitted. Thanks all for your advice. It definitely helped. Here's what I ordered from wholesalechess.com.
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I prefer 3.75" pieces on a 2.25" board.
For the pieces, for tournament play, I prefer wood, specifically ebony and boxwood. My favorite pattern is HoS Reykjavic II. I have never been laughed at for bringing a wooden set nor have I ever heard of such a thing happening. For blitz games, the el-cheapo plastic Staunton from the USCF is unbeatable.
For boardage, a heavy green-and-buff vinyl rollup is best. Wooden boards are nicer to play on but too awkward to travel with.
For home analysis, I prefer smaller sets, perhaps a 3" king. The reason is that when you have a book, drink, and a notepad spread out your table is too crowded for a larger set!
For a clock, get a modern electronic version that supports the "Fischer time" feature.
It is lightly weighted, and it is okay. A practical and non-fussy set. I use it a lot for when I want to have the advantages of a plastic set (cheap, durable) without the negatives (no seams, nice feel to wood). Not as heavy as the plastic 3.75" Collector (32 oz v. 52 oz) but it's fine.
I received my order. Ordered on a Fri afternoon. Received the following (last) Wed, Utah to Oregon. Not bad. The Davies DVD was back ordered. Scheduled to arrive here next Tue. No shipping fee. Packaging was good, and communication was very good, from Wholesalechess. Definitely a pleasure doing business with them. Here's a few comments on the products, now that I've received them.
Scorebooks - the cardboard isn't as rigid as I imagined. Thin, floppy. Oh well, $1.50.
0530 Executive Tournament Chess Set Combo - Very nice. Pieces are pretty heavy, and a pleasure to handle. The white pieces are not stark, bright white. More of a dull, slightly brown white, which I like. The vinyl boards are good quality. No flaws. The bag is fine. The material is tough and pockets are good. The zippers seem a little thin. This has got to be the best or one of the best combo sets for the price. Even price aside, it's nice. I have it set up in the dining room on a round table. I'm playing a game against myself right now. Hey, it worked for Fisher.
Analysis Chess Set Combo - nice little 12"x12" setup for $6. The pieces are light. I would have paid another $5 or $10 for heavier pieces. The heavy pieces just feel good, the way they hang in your hand when you pick them up. I have it set up next to my computer, with one of my correspondence games on it, just for kicks, and in case I notice something there that I don't notice on the computer monitor.
Magnetic checkbook set - magnets are strong. It's heavier than I imagined. I haven't really used it yet. Glad I got it for the price.
HS0026 Super Staunton Collector Chess Pieces (3 ¾" King) - Heavier than the Executive combo set mentioned above. You can definitely notice the difference side by side. (Both seem nicely balanced.) And I like the natural color option for white. To tell you the truth, though, the combo set is nice enough that I'm not sure I needed the Collector set. I think the more you play OTB the more it is worth it. You can still see the molding ridge on the Collector set, though not as pronounced. I was hoping there was no ridge at all. I hadn't had the Collector set set up. I didn't want my wife to notice I bought two sets. She doesn't get the whole exuberance thing on sports and games. Luckily, though, she likes me to be happy. So now it's set up on a desk in the living room. I'm playing a KID game against myself, for practice as no one has played 1.d4 against me yet.
Yeah, I know, I gotta get out and use it on Monday nights.
Good equipment. I'm happy. Thanks everyone.
I received my order. Ordered on a Fri afternoon. Received the following (last) Wed, Utah to Oregon. Not bad. The Davies DVD was back ordered. Scheduled to arrive here next Tue. No shipping fee. Packaging was good, and communication was very good, from Wholesalechess. Definitely a pleasure doing business with them. Here's a few comments on the products, now that I've received them.
Scorebooks - the cardboard isn't as rigid as I imagined. Thin, floppy. Oh well, $1.50.
0530 Executive Tournament Chess Set Combo - Very nice. Pieces are pretty heavy, and a pleasure to handle. The white pieces are not stark, bright white. More of a dull, slightly brown white, which I like. The vinyl boards are good quality. No flaws. The bag is fine. The material is tough and pockets are good. The zippers seem a little thin. This has got to be the best or one of the best combo sets for the price. Even price aside, it's nice. I have it set up in the dining room on a round table. I'm playing a game against myself right now. Hey, it worked for Fisher.
Analysis Chess Set Combo - nice little 12"x12" setup for $6. The pieces are light. I would have paid another $5 or $10 for heavier pieces. The heavy pieces just feel good, the way they hang in your hand when you pick them up. I have it set up next to my computer, with one of my correspondence games on it, just for kicks, and in case I notice something there that I don't notice on the computer monitor.
Magnetic checkbook set - magnets are strong. It's heavier than I imagined. I haven't really used it yet. Glad I got it for the price.
HS0026 Super Staunton Collector Chess Pieces (3 ¾" King) - Heavier than the Executive combo set mentioned above. You can definitely notice the difference side by side. (Both seem nicely balanced.) And I like the natural color option for white. To tell you the truth, though, the combo set is nice enough that I'm not sure I needed the Collector set. I think the more you play OTB the more it is worth it. You can still see the molding ridge on the Collector set, though not as pronounced. I was hoping there was no ridge at all. I hadn't had the Collector set set up. I didn't want my wife to notice I bought two sets. She doesn't get the whole exuberance thing on sports and games. Luckily, though, she likes me to be happy. So now it's set up on a desk in the living room. I'm playing a KID game against myself, for practice as no one has played 1.d4 against me yet.
Yeah, I know, I gotta get out and use it on Monday nights.
Good equipment. I'm happy. Thanks everyone.
Gratz. One guy on rec.games long ago said he took down the seams with very fine abrasive paper. I so far haven't bothered to do that with my Collector.
It may be a case of "cheap board-itis." In other words maybe nothing can really fix it. Lots of such boards out there. My philosophy is: If you get a good board, keep it.
Mouse boards lay flat and so does that folding vinyl I mentioned way back in this thread.
2 suggestions for any tournament chess set (based on my experience in USCF tournaments)
1. Look for a plastic set, so you can spray it with disinfectant after the games. Don't put more money into the set than you would drop on the ground and walk away from. People will disrespect your pieces and board, so don't go in there with some nice antique wood set you got from your mammey.
2. Maybe someone will make my idea, maybe not, but keep your eyes peeled for scented pieces. They will probably be made by me ; )
Yeah, I'm afraid they may be low quality boards. I rolled the one up and put it in the case overnight. I wasn't real careful with it. Just rolled it up and put it in there. Today it's kind of wavy and the ends still curl up some. The ends are curled up some on the second vinyl board I bought too, though not as bad.
Anyone out there bought the "Quality Vinyl Chessboard" for $2.99 at wholesalechess.com? If so, what do you think of the quality?
I'd be happy to pay for better boards. It's the shipping that's annoying.
I did buy a mouse pad board also. I don't really care for the texture. The pieces don't slide at all. I not need to push the pieces but I like them to slide just a bit as I pick them up and put them down. It does lie flat though :). And if you want to slide the board itself on a glass table after you've set it up, fogetaboutit!
Yeah, I'm afraid they may be low quality boards. I rolled the one up and put it in the case overnight. I wasn't real careful with it. Just rolled it up and put it in there. Today it's kind of wavy and the ends still curl up some. The ends are curled up some on the second vinyl board I bought too, though not as bad.
Anyone out there bought the "Quality Vinyl Chessboard" for $2.99 at wholesalechess.com? If so, what do you think of the quality?
I'd be happy to pay for better boards. It's the shipping that's annoying.
I did buy a mouse pad board also. I don't really care for the texture. The pieces don't slide at all. I not need to push the pieces but I like them to slide just a bit as I pick them up and put them down. It does lie flat though :). And if you want to slide the board itself on a glass table after you've set it up, fogetaboutit!
The vinyl board I was mildy grousing about above (made in China, doesn't quite lie flat with some rippling, inking faults) is the $2.99 one from wholesalechess.
Well, it's not for me so I wasn't worried too much about it. A semi-disposable cheapie for a friend. The solid plastic pieces are still in their bags but
they look pretty good.
I don't know for sure where you can get, first time out, a proper rollup vinyl board. Maybe the USCF ones are still ok?
Your issue with the fabric of the mousepad board catching the piece,
preventing sliding, is my issue as well--and lots of others as well. I also read
how the edges of the board get frayed. It's always something isn't it?
On the other hand, it's not so hard to reliably get just the kind of pieces you
want. Guess that's something.
http://www.chesshouse.com/Vinyl_Roll_up_Chess_Board_Green_USA_p/e010a.htm
They claim this board behaves and lies flat.
Yeah, goldendog. Those are the boards I was originally looking at, at chesshouse.com. I switched over to wholesalechess.com because the prices were a little better and I liked the executive combo set over there. I remember wishing the vinyl boards cost a little more than $2.99, which would imply that they would be high quality. I'll probably turn around eventually and order a board or two from chesshouse. As usual, it all works out about the same in the end. Get what you pay for. I'm curious now if their scorebooks are more rigid than those at wholesale for $2.50 vs $1.50. I'm just picking knits now :).
I'm having fun with this stuff though.
http://www.chesshouse.com/Executive_Tournament_Chess_Set_Combo_p/c211.htm
This is the set I use. Not at all expensive, very nice pieces and board, and it says the pieces are quadruple weighted. I've not used many other sets to compare it to, but the pieces are indeed quite heavy!
How's the board on that combo? I bought a cheapo (made in China as it turns out) and it isn't so good. It doesn't quite lie flat and inking faults.
The inking is flawless. When I first bought it, it went pretty flat, but I had it rolled up for a couple months without using it (no OTB players in my area! :( ) and have taken it out yesterday, and it's just barely going flat again. The board, I think, is a naugahyde vinyl. The pieces, however, are very nice. The only problem with those are the small lines that appear when plastic is molded. Not sure if most sets are like that, but it stops the pieces from being flawless. However, they're quite heavy and large.
The combo itself is completely undistracting from any play or study I have done on it. I'd say the price is about right for this set!