Ultimate chess set

Thanks for the fast response. Again I did not know that wooden chess sets did not come under the category of toys. I used to ship a lot of items and when I did International I always had to look up the "code" and it was really hard to find what I was looking for t the product. It is not easy to find. 

I can say between the Ultimate V3 set I own and The Legend Alegria set I have from Legend Products those are the two best sets I have.  I wouldn't use the Alegria set for blitz though as your set would take much more abuse. 

@ShelbyLohrman and ButterFans....

The Ultimates v2 Butters make an appearance during the Live stream broadcast of Game 8 of the World Chess Championship match in Dubai. LOL!! Check out the screenshot below.

What's even more hilarious is that this Ultimates v2 Butters on-screen "photobomb" is during Carlsen's pivotal Move 22 after Nepo's b5 blunder. Move 22 changed the course of Game 8 heavily to Carlsen's favor and the eventual win. If Carlsen goes on to win the WCC2021 this moment — along with the Game 6 win — are historic. Hahaha.

And now you can probably buy an NFT of the moment!

Edit: Is that your son and set? Who else would own butters and a red/black mousepad board??

Haha! Guilty as charged. The live broadcast was requesting Twitter photos, so I happily obliged. With 25k viewers of the live stream, you can imagine the amount of photos they get. So I just took a quick snapshot and sent it along not knowing IF/WHEN it would appear. The moment it appeared onscreen was completely by chance. 

I was going to say, Butters AND a red/black mousepad board...has to be Pawnerai!

Shelby

You do realize that c24's in-studio coverage is specifically aimed at new(er) players?  I switched to chess.com's coverage with Danny, Fabiano, and Robert Hess and they have been outstanding.

Personally, as much as I love in-depth analysis, in a 4-5 hour classical game, possibly multiplied by 14 games, there's only so much of Caruana/Hess I can listen to. I find Chess24's coverage so much more entertaining and charismatic for that length of time. David Howell is no Caruana, but he's no slouch either. Plus, roving reporters. Interviews with Magnus' dad and random GMs roaming the Dubai Pavilion. etc. I switch back and forth. There's a lot of "dead time" between moves. 

FYI, in case anyone is curious about what the player's breakroom looks like, Chess24 has a quick behind the scenes glimpse of the rooms in the early minutes before they started Game 8 coverage. Windowless 5'x10' room with a couch, monitor, coffee, tea, water, fridge and snack bar. And tissue box (a very important piece of chess equipment) for weeping, just in case. 

at 0:33:35

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QUQF1fUmy0

Wives have become quite keen on chess - maybe due to Beth Harmon (Judit Polgar) in the Queen's Gambit. Mine trained in the Vienna cafés and we play most evenings. She is blown away by Agadmator and we really enjoyed Carlsen vs. Naroditsky earlier this year.

Chess is definitely catching on amongst the women - beware!

Just to let everyone know...we found a couple more of the Butters.  The system said there were 6 in the system and we had 41 in back.

thanks

Shelby Lohrman

American Chess Equipment

I finally was able to purchase both the Ultimate chess set and the HoS Marshall set.  I get it now.  The Ultimate set is a step up for sure.  It cost more and is well worth it.  I now understand what you all were talking about relating to the pawns.  They are huge.  It is hard to understand how good the set is just by looking at the online pictures.  The Marshall set is good and it plays good, but not in the same league.  These really are the Ultimate plastic chess set out there right now.  Had I bought this set first, I would have never bought the other plastic sets that I have.

Bombur,

Appreciate the review.  It is one of those things that you can truly see when you finally lay your hand on them.  I have a couple of new ideas coming to fruition.  Wait and see!

thanks

Shelby lohrman

American Chess Equipment

Dear Shelby,

As a surprise Yuletide present, my wife got me an Ultimate set and it is, well, ultimate.

It's a bit of a "Dutch present" (as much for oneself as for the recipient) as we say here, but I am equally delighted with it. As Bombur19 says, the online photos do not do it justice. And, just like Bombur, I find the humble pawns the most impressive. The down-sloping collars give them a stout, business-like appearance as befits soldiers, with the added benefit that they won't chip so easily, like the usual horizontal collars. When you pick them up, you naturally pick up the head -  instead of a less secure, uncomfortable, protruding horizontal collar.  

As promised the weights are as secure as a safe (I have an original Taiwan set which rattle like loose bearings) and beautiful to play with. I have no complaints. 10/10. I'll be buying a set for my brother's birthday. 

John Marks.

PS Will also buy a red-and-white set when they come out. They will eventually, because this Ultimate Staunton design is here to stay: it's a classic. JM

John,

Glad you enjoy it!  It is one of those sets that when you pick it up it just feels great in the hand. 

Hope you had a GREAT holiday season!

 Shelby Lohrman

American Chess Equipment

Is this available from Amazon in the UK yet? Thanks 😊. 

QueenClaudia2003,

We are still working on AmazonUK.  Encountering more hurdles than we expected.  Sorry about the delay.

thanks

Shelby Lohrman

American Chess Equipment

Thanks for the heads up. Really tempted and I'm sure I'll regret it but just a bit too pricey for me. Maybe you could post some photos and a review when you receive it? Would be interested to hear UK thoughts on this set. It does have excellent reviews on Amazon but none from UK yet.

It's a lovely quality set, the pieces feel very solid, are smooth to the touch and the felts have been put on accurately.  I have no regrets with the purchase.