ChessUSA sells some drueke copies. I never really liked the way these looked until I played against someone that had some original druekes. They really work well on the chess board. Very easy to identify, stable. These come with really poor felting on the bottom so I replaced it but they're really good and proportionally they are much better than the ultimate chess pieces which are a little cartoony.
ChessUSA sells some drueke copies. I never really liked the way these looked until I played against someone that had some original druekes. They really work well on the chess board. Very easy to identify, stable. These come with really poor felting on the bottom so I replaced it but they're really good and proportionally they are much better than the ultimate chess pieces which are a little cartoony.
thanks @upsidedownfork you can tell from the with to height ratio, along with the minimal mass at on the heads, that this is a very stable set.
looking them up there are both circular and octagonal versions. Of the two, which would you recommend. also, are the replicas close to the originals?
I didn't notice the octagonal version, I would pick the original which is shown. There was an old thread here that someone compared them with the originals and they are extremely close. Like I said the felt bottoms are not good but the plastic used for this has a velvety feel and semi matte look, not like the hard plastic used in all the regular tournament sets.
@upsidedownfork -
To be clear, is the photo in your post above of the Drueke's or of the copies?
The Pacific Game Co. #1491 Cavalier plastic set, which went out of production decades ago, are IMO the best plastic pieces ever made....they occasionally show up on eBay for a pretty penny...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/cavalier-1491-tournament-set
That is from the ChessUSA website of their copies. I looked into getting a genuine set and they are extremely expensive on ebay.
@upsidedownfork -
Thanks. While I don't have experience with the particular set in your photo, it seems to me I have heard positive comments about that set in these forums.
Legend Products Alegria and Legend Products King's Indian are the two besides the Ultimates that I would recommend. I'm sure there are other nice sets out there but those are the sets I have experience with and can definitely recommend.
You might check out the photos of pieces in this article...
Chess Sets for Club & Tournament Play...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/chess-sets-for-club-tournament-play
In terms of the OP's design requirements I think several of the sets on this HoS webpage also match the criteria...
https://www.houseofstaunton.com/chess-pieces/plastic-chess-pieces.html?p=2
Finally, these Chess.com forum threads by @Eyechess might be of interest to the OP...
A Very Nice Plastic Chess Set...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/a-very-nice-plastic-chess-set
Best Chess Set Design Ever?...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/best-chess-set-design-ever?page=1
The Pacific Game Co. #1491 Cavalier plastic set, which went out of production decades ago, are IMO the best plastic pieces ever made....they occasionally show up on eBay for a pretty penny...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/cavalier-1491-tournament-set
thanks @RussBel… Those are beautiful. I'll keep an eye out.
That is from the ChessUSA website of their copies. I looked into getting a genuine set and they are extremely expensive on ebay.
hey @upsidedownfork do you have a link you could share. i cant seem to find them on there
https://www.chessusa.com/SRCH.html?Search=Drueke
For stability and tip angle, my Knubbel library set from CB would take the prize. My opinion is that they also satisfy your piece identification and aesthetic requirements, but I'm also quite aware that it's a style that isn't everyone's cup of tea.
EDIT: Sorry, read your post wrong. I first read it as your desire to find set to compare in the goal of a perfect plastic set, and not looking at other plastic sets. The Knubbels are wood. Sorry for the confusion.
You might check out the photos of pieces in this article...
Chess Sets for Club & Tournament Play...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/chess-sets-for-club-tournament-play
In terms of the OP's design requirements I think several of the sets on this HoS webpage also match the criteria...
https://www.houseofstaunton.com/chess-pieces/plastic-chess-pieces.html?p=2
Finally, these Chess.com forum threads by @Eyechess might be of interest to the OP...
A Very Nice Plastic Chess Set...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/a-very-nice-plastic-chess-set
Best Chess Set Design Ever?...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/best-chess-set-design-ever?page=1
great resources @RussBell. Which ones are rote favourite from HoS?
For stability and tip angle, my Knubbel library set from CB would take the prize. My opinion is that they also satisfy your piece identification and aesthetic requirements, but I'm also quite aware that it's a style that isn't everyone's cup of tea.
EDIT: Sorry, read your post wrong. I first read it as your desire to find set to compare in the goal of a perfect plastic set, and not looking at other plastic sets. The Knubbels are wood. Sorry for the confusion.
Great distinctive style, and those bases would be very stable. Thanks for sharing @RoaringForkChessClocks
Hey Guys
I'm doing some benchmarking on a chess set I'm developing. I've done most of the development using about 8 sets to compare against. However, nearing the end of the development, I've got some budget to splash on 1 or 2 more sets if they are good enough to justify it. Benchmarking will be on:
considering my benchmarking goals, what are the best plastic sets in the world.
Knowing the community here, I know that every second person will be recommending The Bobby Fischer Ultimate Chess Pieces. I have that set for comparison already. What other sets are considered best in class.