What is your favorite Basic Chess Set?

This is my basic set. . . . My 2 1/2 Grand son 16 years ago playing with my Mexican set. . .

he loved to move the horsies because they hopped. . . Until he would lose them . . .

If you noticed he has moved one knight Nc3, Nb,5 the other knight moved Nf3 and he was going to take my e5 pawn . . .

Purchased in the 1957 . . . $20;00 . . . The board is the carry box that folds up . . .

For basic wood sets available new today under $80 I like the Scout pieces from the Chess House at $79. The kings are 3.75" and have a relatively narrow base that allows them to be used on smaller boards. Here's mine.

Wow, sound67. I really like that set. Very nice. 

I really like this set. I tend to like sets that are "balanced" i.e. that each piece has the same character and nothing stands out. This is why I like simple vintage French sets the most. Some people may see them as boring. But to me a set that is clear and does not distract is the ideal. The only question I would have about the set you show is does it come with other colours for the black side?    

My other basic sets . . . Teaching my 2 1/2 year granddaughter her first lesson . . .

She took over and taught me how the pieces need to rest before the battle . . .

She is reading stories from her bible like her mom does to her . . .

Here is my 2nd favorite Basic Chess set. It is the Modern Series design. It is a combination of the Bohemia and German Knight sets.

@ KFC, I simply love that combination of the chess set and board you have displayed on your post #46. If I may ask, where did you obtain the chessboard with algebraic notation? In addition, what are the woods that were used to comprise the playing area and boarder? I'm looking to obtain both of these items soon. Thank you kindly in advance for your reply. 

@QtoQlevel3 I got the board from Yellow Mountain Imports. The one I have is the folding tournament 5 board with 2" squares. It actually doesn't fold. It is a board that separates and is held together by magnets. As for the wood combo for the board. It is Mahogany & Maple veneer. The corner(s) might be slightly dinged up but the playing field is the most important area and it is fine. $25 for this board I can live with a slight blemishing. The Modern Series flavor I have is Ebonized Boxwood.

https://www.ymimports.com/collections/chess-boards/products/pl-ch114-a

https://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess-pieces/wood-chess-pieces/house-of-staunton-the-modern-chess-pieces-3-75-king

Wow, I like the board, and at a great price.

And the set looks good on it.

I once ordered that board and it arrived non functional. How can a board that has no moving parts be non functional? They reversed polarity on one side of the board so the magnets repelled  

The replacement was fine though

@BattleDuck That is funny but I can see it happening if QC is out the window. Lucky I got one that was put in correctly. 

the Hungarian-Romanian set is $150.00 at house of stauton sound67/ i like it though i would have to have some more extra money laying around to justify a 3rd wooden set though..

later dudes

goommba88

@goommba88 Royal Chess Mall and Chess Bazaar are selling the Romanian/Hungarian set for under $100.

For basic no fancy design it's gotta be Chavet for me. This size 6 was sold for 69 euro when it was still available couple of years ago.

Alas - I have never seen or handled this set in person - but in terms of a modern, basic design I do like the Weil set. (It is a divisive set - so apologies to those who dislike it…)

https://shop.worldchess.com/shop/single-piece

I find the pieces beautifully proportioned - and the shadow lines of the knights head (front on) quietly intimidating…. of course, the price disqualifies it immediately but the design - basic and utilitarian.

And I can’t find the thread but I think I might go for @Kohpablanca’s new modern design if he ever gets that set made.

I love the look of Librty sets. I hadn't realized how much more expensive they had gotten in the past few years, wow. I would love a plastic verson of them. You wouldnt need weights. They'd be perfect.