Stone chess sets

I prefer a standard tournament set over stone any day. Mainly because I don't have to worry about pieces breaking and with the case  its far more convenient.

Sorry g-man, but you're obviously marching to the beat of a different drummer.  The only sets I detest more than stone are glass, and you have a fondness for them too.  

ah well. it is what it is.

and thank you, by the way, for disagreeing with me without being insulting or doing the whole "obviously you're wrong" tone.

You're certainly welcome g-man, and you raise an interesting point.  Why are these forums so filled with rancor and bile?  Why can't we just "agree to disagree"?  Oh well, no intention of hijacking your thread; just something I find puzzling.  I guess it's just the nature of the internet.

Challenge accepted.

On a more serious note, I would rather play with the standard plastic pieces.  It would be awesome to play with stone pieces (and a stone board), but I would be completely worried about something happening to them and would handle them delicately, almost ridiculously so.  Just my personal preference, certainly neat to look at, though.

This site says 1882: http://ancientpoint.com/inf/62981-antique_chinese_carved_soapstone_chess_set_foochow_1882.html which seems unlikely but possible. I apologize if my comments were harsh. You can't actually be wrong about your opinions and what you like. I was just saying I personally don't like the feel of stone sets, though I do like their looks.

Cool! At least you can tell which ones are the knights! And if you don't use the set then maybe telling the pieces apart isn't that important. (;