Zagreb/Dubrovnik set advice??

I am looking for a nice Zagreb 59 or Dubrovnik style set (contrasting finials), with preference to the "Fischer favorite" style but that really seems to limit the options.  Choices I have found so far are from HOS and ChessBazaar.  It is hard to evaluate something like this just by online photos, so I am hoping to get some advice.

1) Are there any other options that I have overlooked?

2) How does the quality of HOS compare to ChessBazaar?  HOS looks better on the computer screen but that may just be due to better quality photography.

3) What size board squares would look best with a 3.8-4.0" size king?

Thanks!

Take a look at this thread, and take a looooong look at the knights!

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/dubrovnik-and-zagreb-comparison2?page=1

There is also threads here on HOS & Chess Bazaar Dubrovniks with pics. I have the CB Dubrovnik & its workmanship is very good IMO. It boils down to your choice in the end. There is also the Chess Cafe sets that are reasonably priced. Good Luck.!

I recently received my 4" ChessBazaar Dubrovniks and I love them.  They feel great to move around, the right amount of heft, and they look sharp.  I asked the same question about board size and the best answer I got was 2 3/8" squares.  I've got mine set up on a 2 1/4" board right now and it's playable but it looks just a little cramped for my liking so I'll be buying a bigger board soon.

On the off chance that you've never used the "search forums" , I took the liberty of digging these up for you.  There's a thread on "which do you like better, HOS or CB" that you'll probably find valuable, but heck, read them all and become an instant Dubrovy expert!

http://www.chess.com/forum/search?keyword=dubrovnik

Good Dog..! Thats just what is needed..!

If you want a fine set for practical day to day play, go with the CB Dubrovniks - if you want a set with a superior design and feel (and a far more imposing price tag), go with the HOS. 

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I started with the search function but did not find my questions completely answered. I will go through the referenced threads. The HOS set I am considering is less than $100 more than the ChessBazaar set, and would be worth the difference if it is the "right" one.

Thanks again for the opinions and advice.

Excuse me, but why do you persist in posting annoying posts and threads on this subject, yourself?

If you would kindly read the opening post of this thread you will see the author asked about the differences of a couple brands of sets.  You will also read that people have directed him to links of previous postings that answer his question.  So, there is not a lot of repetition going on here.

This Forum is about Chess Equipment and Books.  People will be posting about Chess Equipment and perhaps discuss different companies and their offerings.  There also will be postings of the same design Chess set offered by different companies and how they compare and compete.

There have been threads and posts about the Lardy design Chess sets, for instance.  There also have been posts and threads about Jaques sets and reproductions of them.  I expect there will be posts and threads on a number of other Chess set designs and companies offering them.  That's what this  forum is for.

I kindly suggest if you do not want to read about the Dubrovnik 1950 design Chess Sets, and read the following carefully, DO NOT READ ANY OF THE POSTS IN THREADS WITH DUBROVNIK IN THE TITLE.

Is there anything in my post here you do not understand?

Not necessarily so. I got my ebonized HoS Dubrovnik set for a "make an offer" price of $150 on eBay. That's only a couple of bucks more than what CB is selling their 4" Dubrovnik set for. And the HoS set is substantially larger in size and weight than the CB 3.6" set. (The HoS set is 15 oz. heavier.)

3.6" CB pieces (left) vs. 3.75" HoS pieces (right). Photos courtesy of Goodnightmike, thanks!

The good thing is we have 3 choices in Dubrovnik sets. The NOJ,HOS and CB. There is probably more options with the Zagreb sets.

9kick9 wrote:

The good thing is we have 3 choices in Dubrovnik sets. The NOJ,HOS and CB. There is probably more options with the Zagreb sets.

Those are the options that I have found so far. House of Chess has a Zagreb set that looks like a contender, but so far I have not found a lot of feedback on it and their www site photos are not great. They do offer it in wenge, which is an interesting option compared to rosewood.

Of course consider this set from CB before you make any decisions. This is goodnightmike's custom set. if you do not like the Crimson I am sure they will make it for you in sheesham or rosewood or ebonized. It has totally different specs than the sets they are selling right now, bases are wider, rook is taller and redesigned, set is overall heavier if that is important to you, but like I always say the heavier the set doesn't necessarily mean the better.  

Ask CB for a quote in price for this set. It is a sweet set, I know I have the 2nd set ever made to the larger base specs and new rooks. 

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/my-custom-made-crimson-stain-dubrovnik-chess-set-by-chessbazaar

Yeah, if you compare the price of the entry level HOS Dubrovnik (note: the first handful of ebonized HOS production runs experienced issues regarding the finish on the black pieces, with regards to accelerated wear...) to the higher end CB set, and throw in the ebay round about, they get kind of close. But you're pushing a lot of factors in that comparison, as well as ignore a few (HOS shipping will cost you, CB is free). 

Mr-Endron wrote:

Yeah, if you compare the price of the entry level HOS Dubrovnik (note: the first handful of ebonized HOS production runs experienced issues regarding the finish on the black pieces, with regards to accelerated wear...) to the higher end CB set, and throw in the ebay round about, they get kind of close. But you're pushing a lot of factors in that comparison, as well as ignore a few (HOS shipping will cost you, CB is free). 

Lou responds:

You're right, the ebonized HOS Dubrovnik, with shipping, cost me about $36 more than the 3.6" CB set with free shipping. But for me, the differences justified the additional expense. I respect that others may feel otherwise. It's nice to have so many options - from CB, HOS, House of Chess, and, of course, Noj. As long as we're happy with our selections, what more can we ask.

I have a House of Staunton Zagreb and it's a great looking set. I enjoy playing with it.