Ultimate chess set

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loubalch
CringeBlunderman wrote:
I recognize that Mr. Lohrman has put a great deal of time and effort into updating the ultimate set, and I am grateful for that and have ordered a plastic one. I’m interested in the wooden versions as well, as I was intending to give a few as gifts, but I also know that each of the recipients, in this particular case, would take offense to receiving a set with Fischer’s name on it, due to his expressed political point of view.

Some folks don’t so easily compartmentalize.

I inquired directly if they’d be available without the Fischer branding, but unfortunately that is not the case. This of course leaves me in a quandary as to whether to move ahead with the purchase and find another suitable coffer or to move on. I’d be grateful for any ideas regarding alternate coffers that are relatively inexpensive that any of you may have.

Cringe,

I think I have a solution for you. Why not buy a tournament bag? It's much easier to tote around than a box, and it will provide room for a roll-up board as well. I have the original Ultimate set in this bag from House of Staunton (very reasonably priced) and it works great! Everything is accessible from the outside, pieces on either side, with board below, and room for a clock in the center pocket. I own several of these bags. I cut PVC pipes to wrap the boards around. Offers some structural integrity and keeps the board from getting squeezed or squashed. All for under $13. Such a deal!

https://www.houseofstaunton.com/introducing-the-players-bag.html

geomancer1965
EBowie wrote:

Bobby Fischer's comments were no doubt reprehensible.  But I also believe that there was some sort of mental illness going on with him.  I'm not saying that's an excuse for his comments but I am saying that it is important to consider all of the factors.

Think about all of the artwork in museums throughout the world that was done by people who may not have been admirable people aside from their artistic talents.  Admiring Bobby's chess games and what he meant overall to the game of chess does not mean that someone endorses everything that ever came out of his mouth.

 

of course it's an excuse. he was mentally ill, suffering from paranoia and delusions. That doesn't mean we don't celebrate his chess prowess.

 

RussBell

@CringeBlunderman -

You might consider a drawstring chess bag.  They are inexpensive, but do the job of storing the pieces.  I have purchased several from Wholesale Chess and been satisfied with them...

https://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess-bags/drawstring-chess-pieces-bag

 

chessroboto

I use two drawstrings bags that are made out of thick canvass by chesshouse.com for my Ultimates. 

The board below has two inch squares for scale.

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/chess-bags-cases/products/chess-house-drawstring-bag

RussBell
Brispin wrote:

I don’t see a link to preorder. Is there  a discount code?  I looked and didn’t see anything. Any help would be appreciated thank you. 

I pre-ordered my set here - Shelby Lohrman's web site......I'm not aware of any discount code...

https://amchesseq.com/collections/tournament-style-chess-pieces/products/bobby-fischer-ultimate-chess-pieces-with-new-and-improved-weighting-system?variant=32118482993210

passedpawn22
When are the Beth Harmon Ultimates coming out?
loubalch
passedpawn22 wrote:
When are the Beth Harmon Ultimates coming out?

May not pass muster with FIDE and the USCF as the queen will be bigger and badder than the king!

ChuckVinson

I just received my new set. I've had the old set since the early 2000's and its held up well except for the loose weights, which I have easily repaired myself. The new set is great, but it's not the same. The quality is good, but not quite as good as the old one. 

I understand the weighting system has improved, but the plastic does not feel as strong as the old set. The knight mane/mohawk on the new set feels much sharper and breakable. The king cross and the top of the bishop also feel less durable than the old set. The plastic just feels different and more brittle. 

However, I have no regrets in buying this set and I greatly appreciate the reproduction. This is just my honest opinion. 

 

 

Eyechess

This is interesting.  I own the original version and the yellow one as well.  I will make sure to pull them out and compare the three Ultimate plastic sets.

I also am honest and blunt.  I will give an honest review and comparison.

TundraMike

This has to be the most critiqued plastic set of all time. I have never seen any other set held to such measures as this set.  Just saying. There is no such thing as a perfect chess set I have to come reason in my 69 years. 

Eyechess
TundraMike wrote:

This has to be the most critiqued plastic set of all time. I have never seen any other set held to such measures as this set.  Just saying. There is no such thing as a perfect chess set I have to come reason in my 69 years. 

Amen.

This is a plastic Chess set.  It is not expensive.  Yes, there are lesser expensive sets but also more expensive ones, plastic.

The old Cavalier plastic set had a plastic that was a bit shinier and seemed it could chip or break more easily.  It held up quire well.  And 30 years ago I think it cost more than this one does.  The same holds true for the Drueke Players Choice set.  That one cost me just over $50 back in 1990.  When you factor in inflation, it is quite silly.

Maybe  it’s the pandemic keeping everyone in and making them so darn picky.

 

ChuckVinson

Okay I just spent some time playing with the new set and comparing it closely with my 15+ year old Ultimate Set. 

The new set is definitely larger. All pieces are taller and have wider bases. The rooks are most noticeable and have taller teeth on the turrets. The weight seems to be the same, but the old queen seems heavier. If anything the new set is lighter, but I would love to see a comparison on a scale. 

Yes my box has a completely torn side which is disappointing. 

Interestingly, there is a small hollow center under the felt about the size of a dime, so they are not completely flat on the bottom. It's obviously where the weights have been inserted but the cap is not flat like on the old ones, which results in air space between the felt and the center. 

Again, overall a great set. I give it a 9/10 as compared to a 10/10 on the original. I feel like since these pieces are bigger and have slightly more prominent details, they will be more prone to breaking if they are dropped on a hard surface like concrete. I know I am being a chess snob here but oh well. 

Old set on left. New set on right:





 

TundraMike

No lead in the new pieces where the original set had lead. The yellow color set did not have lead either. This was a big deal because toys can not contain lead. 

I like the newer larger pieces in the pictures.  You have to love that newer Bishop vs the old.

The hollow center you talk about, how deep does it go? If super shallow it would not concern me. 

Looks like a really nice set. I am sure if I got out all my plastic sets and I have many nice ones I can go over each set and they all have flaws. My most expensive ones have visible seams and some sets had very sharp coronets and they cost more than this one, and that was years ago.

I m just saying show me a perfect plastic chess set for starters.  We can order one and go over all the flaws. 

Most sets will have loose weights after a while. This set with the new weighting design is very hopeful never to have a loose weight.  To me, a loose weight is more important than a sharp point that can be filed down with a fingernail file (emory board) and very little effort. 

 

 

JackTacklebox

Cool

KnightsForkCafe

Definitely like the new ones over the old ones. Both in size and color. I'm still going to keep my Butter Yellow set. Maybe won't play with them much like I will with UCP 3.0 

RussBell

The obvious agenda of the troll from NY is to undermine Shelby.  Ignore him.

Don't feed the Troll !

RussBell
TundraMike wrote:

The hollow center you talk about, how deep does it go? If super shallow it would not concern me.   ..... a sharp point that can be filed down with a fingernail file (emory board) and very little effort. 

I checked out the so-called 'hole" issue, i.e., the gap between the bottom of the weight and the felt on the base.  When running my fingers over and pressing on the felt, the depth of the gap feels to me to be about the depth or thickness of a dime.  About 1/16inch.  In fact, if ChuckVinson had not mentioned it, I doubt if I would ever have noticed it.  It is not obvious due to the thickness of the felt cover.  You need to press down on the felt with some real pressure to discern the gap.  The felt is reasonably thick and covers the slight depression well enough that the gap is, while not impossible to feel if you really try, at least not at all evident, and especially not visually.  So I'm saying you have to try in order to notice the depression through the felt.  This is my experience.  I believe it would be the experience for others as well.  Also the diameter of the hole is different depending on the diameter of the base, with smaller diameter holes for smaller diameter bases.  Bottom line - I don't view the "hole" issue to be of any significant concern, nor a dealer breaker.  If no one mentioned it I suspect you might never notice it.

As for filing the plastic.  I'm concerned that an emory board nail file will not likely be effective for the job.  The plastic may be too hard for it.  I think better to use a fine metal file of the type used by hobbyists.....something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-America-Basic-File-TAM74046/dp/B000BMUONA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WU844P4XXACT&dchild=1&keywords=files+for+models&qid=1608247227&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=file%2Caps%2C235&sr=1-1

By the way - thanks to @ChuckVinson for all his helpful information and feedback - and especially the photos which clearly showed the distinction between the old vs the new Ultimates.

loubalch

Comparing the two sets above, I prefer the almond color of the original (V1) to the white shade of the newest sets (V3). It sort of splits the difference between the color of the latest version and the 'butterball' set (V2) it replaced. I keep the original set in a tournament bag in my car year-round, just in case.

Pawnerai
ChuckVinson wrote:

Okay I just spent some time playing with the new set and comparing it closely with my 15+ year old Ultimate Set. 

Thank you for the comparison photos. In your photos, is that the V1 original? Or the V2 butter yellow? (btw: still on clearance sale for $26.95 folks.) I do prefer the bigger rooks of the V3. So many times the rook piece is treated as an afterthought. Under-designed. And under-sized. The old rook on the left is barely bigger than the pawn in overall size when you take the pawn's bighead into consideration. Consider the Ultimate Plastic V3 set the "Minceta Version" happy.png

Shelby, one of the big defining features of the Ultimate set are the cool unique looking squat pawns with the big round head. But yet the pawns are absent from the displayed product shot on your site. Come on, treat the pawn with some respect!

ChuckVinson
Pawnerai wrote:
ChuckVinson wrote:

Okay I just spent some time playing with the new set and comparing it closely with my 15+ year old Ultimate Set. 

Thank you for the comparison photos. In your photos, is that the V1 original? Or the V2 butter yellow? 

 

I have the V1. I've never owned the butter yellow version.