Hello Aquaman, I recently started a chess board company. I have designed a number of artistic vinyl boards, rather then the usual 2 color versions. You can get the boards in either Analysis size 12"x12" or Tournament size 18"x18", with or without algebraic notation. Check them out at www.BoardsofChess.com Let me know what you think. You can leave feedback here on my blog, or email me. Good luck finding a set that suits you.
Tournament chess set
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stormcrown wrote: I bought the basic wooden set from Cajun. I'll post a review when it arrives. The only question is if it is weighted or not. 32oz for a set = 1 oz per piece. Might be ok.
Ok, review time. The set came promptly. It came in a large-ish cardboard box that was a tad beat up. The box was well-packed with the local newspaper. Inside was another box, this one was fine. The inner box contained two bags of pieces. I found all the like pieces to be identical in shape and weight. The pieces are boxwood and ebonized boxwood. Sizes and proportions are as expected. The finish is wholly acceptable. The pieces are reasonably well weighted - heavier than I expected in fact. The knight is two-piece and looks ok.
I think this set is an excellent value.
stormcrown wrote:stormcrown wrote:I bought the basic wooden set from Cajun. I'll post a review when it arrives. The only question is if it is weighted or not. 32oz for a set = 1 oz per piece. Might be ok.
Ok, review time. The set came promptly. It came in a large-ish cardboard box that was a tad beat up. The box was well-packed with the local newspaper. Inside was another box, this one was fine. The inner box contained two bags of pieces. I found all the like pieces to be identical in shape and weight. The pieces are boxwood and ebonized boxwood. Sizes and proportions are as expected. The finish is wholly acceptable. The pieces are reasonably well weighted - heavier than I expected in fact. The knight is two-piece and looks ok.
I think this set is an excellent value.
I've been using mine a lot on a 2-1/8" wood board. Simple set up and nice to use. Funny thing though, the USCF recommends this set be used with a 2-1/4" board, but this is against the equipment specifications in the USCF rulebook (base of king 1.5"/.78=1.92"--then after rounding up and adding the optional 1/8" you get 2-1/8" sqr size). So, not only is the wood set "illegal" but all the USCF plastic specials with the same measurement ditto. Kinda funny when you think about it.
Wow! That's incredible, it's almost looking professional... a wonderful start. I guess all that's left is a bit of finishing? More critically, I love the squares but I'm not used to the border being so much higher than the game board.
AquaMan wrote: 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.
Please don't think I'm complaining...after all, the set is very inexpensive. But if you're extremely anal like I am and don't mind spending more for improved quality, I'd suggest you look elsewhere...otherwise you'll just end up buying another set eventually.
Lotsoblots wrote "But if you're extremely anal like I am "
Is this a first for chess.com?
Someone coming out of the closet!!!
I will freely admit to the world that I am more...ahem..."detail oriented" than most. My wife can attest to this. 
lotsoblots wrote: I will freely admit to the world that I am more...ahem..."detail oriented" than most. My wife can attest to this.
Nice riposte :-)
Thanks Lifesforests.
I have to finagle the miters on the border and maybe add a decorative scallop to each side. The board and the borders are the same height. If they look otherwise, it's just the photograph. Maybe what you're seeing is the cherry inlay between the squares and the border.
I still have to sand the top a little more. By the time I am done sanding any irregularities will be gone. Or proclaimed an 'artistic design feature.' 
It's taken me a while to build as it is my first board but it is pretty easy, really.
Nice looking board, SC. If you look back in the thread you can see one I had made for me (2-1/2" sqrs) but it warped beyond usability in a few months. Sad. Made using the same method you used.
I just thought I'd post an update about my vinyl board from wholesalechess.com. I emailed them about the marks and they responded quickly and sent out a new board for free without me even having to ask for one. I was very impressed! However, the new board does still have a few stray paint marks. Now that I think about it, the marks may be in the same exact place so perhaps the machine producing these is defective. At any rate, +1 for wholesalechess.com service, but -1 for their "Quality Vinyl" board.
Hello again everybody. Wholesalechess.com has a great Father's Day sale on a Super Staunton combo set which includes a mousepad board and bag. Does the mousepad board actually roll up well enough to fit in the case? Thanks.
I replaced my vinyl WholesaleChess board with the official USCF board and it lays flatter and overall seems higher quality. I am still quite happy with the actual pieces and carrying case that came with the set from WholesaleChess.
lotsoblots wrote: Hello again everybody. Wholesalechess.com has a great Father's Day sale on a Super Staunton combo set which includes a mousepad board and bag. Does the mousepad board actually roll up well enough to fit in the case? Thanks.
Sure does.
Be sure you want the mousepad board(although you could easily just switch it with your vinyl board). There are some major plusses and minuses to using the mousepads. I love them. The minuses are very minor inconveniences to me, but some people are bothered by them.
Pros
Sit flat and stay flat
Useable outdoors without the breeze flipping the corners up
Able to be folded, crumpled, rolled, smashed, jammed, whatever and always pops back to normal
Cons
Pieces don't slide easily
You must place the board where you want it before setting up pieces(the board grips the table)
Well, I did receive my mousepad board from wsc and it does indeed lie flat and roll up. However, it won't be all that useful to me since it shipped with two relatively large dark stains. sigh I suppose that could be seen as one reason why vinyl would be superior...ease of cleaning.
Also, each knight of my "Super Staunton" (aka Collector) has plastic molding flaws on the mane at the top of its head. Is that normal for this set? The pieces displayed at the House of Staunton website do not appear to have these flaws but I could be wrong since the picture is not terribly large. I'm beginning to wonder if I should just shop somewhere else.
Hmm, there seem to be a large number of flaws in the Wholesale Chess merchandise. I purchased the Executive Tournament Set, two score pads, and three extra boards(two mousepad, one vinyl). I'm beginning to think I got incredibly lucky, as my stuff is all in good shape. Perhaps I'll think twice about ordering from them when I order something nice. I'd think the clocks should be okay to order from them, as they should come boxed by the manufacturer. Can anybody foresee any problems with clocks so I don't make an unfortunate mistake when ordering a Chronos?
grey is at chess house.
AquaMan - I have the executive set (pieces and board). The pieces look and feel nice and have held up awhile. The board... it claims to be bend-resistant but yes, after storing it folded, it takes a couple hours of laying out before it flattens.