Best chess sets at every price range
Sort:
I was considering getting a new wooden chess set since I lost one of the knights to my other one. I was wondering what the best wooden chess sets are. Obviously there's differences in quality for more expensive sets, so here's how I'm phrasing my question: for every price range, (under $50 or so, up to $100, up to $200, anything beyond that is out of range) what are some of the best wooden sets available? Also, what are the most reliable sites to find sets?
GrandPatzerDave wrote:
Are you restricting yourself to wood only?
I have a plastic tournament set and I don't need another plastic set, and I'm not a huge fan of metal, or glass, or anything like that. I just want a normal kind of wooden set, of the best quality I can afford.
Jan 18, 2021
0
#4
Understood. You're about to be inundated with suggestions and comments. With your criteria I'd just search the House of Staunton and see if you like something.
I'd forgotten how expensive sets are.
Here's a decently carved 3.75" king, weighted, felted, used Lardy set on eBay for $50 (shipped). Grab it before someone else does.
**EDIT**
Either the Seller was mistaken or it was a scam. Nothing to see here.
House of Staunton Championship pieces, are the ones you want. they are a great set top play, and not to bad to look at.
Pawnerai wrote:
Here's a decently carved 3.75" king, weighted, felted, used Lardy set on eBay for $50 (shipped). Grab it before someone else does.
Same set is available at Walmart for $17. Search "Marrakech Decoupage" if link doesn't work.
Edit* The above may be a wrong listing, but even so I'm not sure if $50 is a steal... seems to be a mass produced set available through a few sources... maybe someone knows more about that particular one.
Jan 20, 2021
0
#10
House of Chess I believe offers the best bang for your buck. They have a set I believe that rivials both the French Lardy and German Knight designs. It is called Popular Staunton. I have one in 3 1/4 inch and one in 3 3/4 inch size.
My 3 1/4 inch set.
My 3 3/4 inch set.
Wood Chess Pieces for Sale at House of Chess
Beware! The set mentioned in post #7 is a phony. I ordered it and was sent a cheap magnetic set from Walmart. Got my refund!
Best to purchase from reputable chess dealers only. Not XYZ sellers on eBay many of whom sell junk.
The following retailers in USA sell both plastic and wood sets. And are well-known and reputable, with good quality products....
Chess Sets for Club & Tournament Play...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/chess-sets-for-club-tournament-play
Not mentioned in the article but who also has mostly good quality at relatively reasonable prices is ChessBazaar.com, direct from India - which I have purchased from.
I was browsing the other day and can tell you that House of Staunton, Royal Chess Mall, Chessbazzar and Staunton Castle all have some pretty nice sets going at the moment in the $120 - $200 range. Take a look, you're bound to find one you like.
James1560 wrote:
Beware! The set mentioned in post #7 is a phony. I ordered it and was sent a cheap magnetic set from Walmart. Got my refund!
That's surprising. The Seller has a (2346) 99.6% positive rating on eBay. I hope you left the Seller a negative review. I'll edit the original Post #7 so no one else falls for it.
The ironic thing is, that your bad experience is the reason why I like using eBay. If a deal goes bad, eBay ALWAYS takes the Buyer's side. EBay will step in and force the Seller to refund every penny back to the Buyer. 100% of the purchase price, any taxes, and shipping costs back to the Buyer. Try getting a full refund + shipping costs from any of the popular overseas chess manufacturers without eBay on your side. Ain't gonna happen.
Jul 3, 2021
0
#15
James1560 wrote:
Beware! The set mentioned in post #7 is a phony. I ordered it and was sent a cheap magnetic set from Walmart. Got my refund!
Buying from chess sellers these days is Russian Roulette. However, buying from Walmart you are really asking for it.
Jul 3, 2021
0
#16
I recommend Staunton Castle Conquest Series. 4” King with a 1.8” base. I just received mine and love it.
I have a chess set that folds into a storage area for all your pieces. I don't know all the specifications of it, but it works well and makes sure that I don't accidentally lose a piece.
In the sub $10 range (aka bring someplace and lose them or give them to a kid) these peices are shockingly nice.
The transaction from eBay was the only bad one I had! The item shown (sheesham set with decoupage board) is what I ordered, the price listed was $39 (yes, I know, too good to be true). What was shipped was a $16 magnetic set from Walmart! Return address and receipt was Walmart! I was shocked. I gave the seller a second chance and got the same magnetic set again (Woody Magnetic Chess).
I was scammed by another website but fortunately I paid with PayPal and the issue was resolved in my favor.
I have learned my lesson!
I was scammed by another website but fortunately I paid with PayPal and the issue was resolved in my favor.
I have learned my lesson!
Jul 3, 2021
0
#20
James1560 wrote:
The transaction from eBay was the only bad one I had! The item shown (sheesham set with decoupage board) is what I ordered, the price listed was $39 (yes, I know, too good to be true). What was shipped was a $16 magnetic set from Walmart! Return address and receipt was Walmart! I was shocked. I gave the seller a second chance and got the same magnetic set again (Woody Magnetic Chess).
I was scammed by another website but fortunately I paid with PayPal and the issue was resolved in my favor.
I have learned my lesson!
I was scammed by another website but fortunately I paid with PayPal and the issue was resolved in my favor.
I have learned my lesson!
If you look at the Walmart listing (in the link above) for "Lardy Sheesham/Natural Boxwood Chessmen on Marrakech Decoupage Chess board" you can see other complaints about wrong product description. The seller is definitely a drop shipper using Walmart, which hasn't updated the product page. At least you got your money back.