What is this rather ugly chess set

Hi

Hubby has just given me an early Valentine's present and to be honest I don't know what to make of it or even if I like it! Not telling him that of course 😄. Maybe it will grow on me!

I had this on my Wish List on Amazon until I read a really bad review and decided not to buy but I didnt delete it from my list hence hubby surprising me with it just now!

It appears to be quite heavily weighted and is quite large. King is 4 inches but because bases are quite wide it looks bigger.

One if the weights is rattling round in the Knight. It's supposed to be a triple weighted set and got a feeling it's probably made in China.

There's no indication on any of the pieces where it's from or what it is.

Any ideas? Some photos to follow.

The word that comes to mind is 'generic'

I'm glad you don't think it's ugly. I might give it to a charity shop 😄

Thanks Sound.

Oh boy. In his defense, to a "normal" person, this chess set looks perfectly fine. Amazon usually has a very liberal return policy. If a reason is needed. I see "damage" marks on the silicone board. Use the $25 credit towards a chess set you really like. A "normal" person probably wouldn't even notice you exchanged it. LOL

I could return it but sending it back is a hassle. I think I might find out if the local Primary School would like it as they might have a chess club.

You're right he wouldn't notice lol

To me what you're describing is a cheaply made set rather than an ugly one.  The design is based on the House of Staunton Collector set which is my favorite style.  The early HOS Staunton plastic set which I bought many years ago (before they became a commonly used/copied design) is one of the very best plastic sets I have.  My only objection is the sharpness of the Queen's crown which can hurt if you grab it quickly at the wrong angle.

What's the difference between yours and mine? Is it the quality of the plastic?

Doubtful. A friend of mine just bought a plastic HoS Marshall set and it arrived with a chip out of a black Bishop skirt. He superglued it back but now the black king's cross has broken off and a white pawn has a good sized chip out of its collar.  It's not like he's rough with the pieces at all. In short, whatever plastic HoS uses is really brittle. Too brittle if pieces break like this with normal handling

What's the difference then if it's not the quality of the plastic? Is it just that the other is the original by HoS other than that there's no real difference.

Come to think of it I've heard of the Collectors set now and think it's identical to this one? So this one is a copy of that but otherwise no difference in quality?

I have a Marshall set that's a few years old that is kept in a drawstring bag.  None of the pieces are chipped.

I wonder if something went wrong during your friend's set's production.  Or worse, if the chess boom is also causing plastic piece manufacturers to cut corners. 

That particular set has been advertised as the Quadruple Weighted Tournament Chess Set with 4.0inch Kings. Multiple manufacturers have been using the exact design for over 10 years now. I got mine when it first came out when the popular sets had 3.75inch kings.

I also see the resemblance with the House of Staunton Collector series.

https://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-collector-series-luxury-chess-pieces-3-75-king.html

I've wondered the same. He keeps the set in a HoS tournament bag. For the three or so weeks he's had the set I've either played or watched every game he's used them for and I can attest no pieces have been dropped, abused, etc.. While he is graciously accepting the fault, I kinda feel bad as I recommended the set based on reviews here (and it is otherwise a nice looking/playing set).

it is good not bad i like it

If you have not got rid of it.  You should keep it for chess at the coffee shop.  Keep it in the boot and you can have a game when your out and about (or review).   : )

I love chess club sets . .  

I have 18 of them . . . .

Get over it use it it's not UGLY . . .

This is an ugly Mexican un-weighted wood chess set. Cost $20.00 . . .

It folds up . . .

But it serves the purpose we are having fun . . .

I've still got it and still unsure about it but we are going on a boating holiday late August so might take this set along with me.

Maybe you'll accidentally drop it in the lake . . .