If you are a chess patzer should you be buying into such premium chess sets or just getting yourself Deep Fritz and some training software.
I used to play almost 15 years back, at that time all you needed was a good chess set and books.
Now, it seems the best training is available on DVD's and softwares, and these chess sets seem a bit redundant for a solo player, who is going to study/practice without a chess partner.
Do you intend to use it to play against a human opponent, keep beside your laptop, analyse, work with a book or solve training exercises?
I have just about everything from the staunton sets (Monarch, Queen Ann...) to the 2" Wengue wood board, chess table and it turns out that 90% of the time I use a cheap board with drawers made of the cheapest wood along with pieces recycled from my novag citrine.
Why? Because it turned out to be the best mix of elbow room & readability, the drawers are nice to keep unused pieces out of the way (I mostly solve problems) etc. so you should definitely think about such issues before buying. Or after...
Geez. I'm sitting here holding myself back, trying to follow chess.com non-spam guideliness, trying not to advertise.
Can't resist. Ban me, dammit.
Look guys, in Slovenia we make best chessmen ever. It sayz so right on the box. Not cheap, but I dare you to match our price/quality ratio.
-Izmet
ifekali... you are right that BCE is a fine made set! Most average Chess Players cannot afford it though. The Dubrovnik plastica pieces I have are nice & much more affordable.
@ifekali
I checked your blog few days back when I was trying to get more information on the Zagreb/dubrovnik set. Really informative site and beautiful chess sets you have for sale.
I agree with you about Yugoslavia, Dubrovnik beats the Staunton sets hands down.
The modern interpretation of the Dubrovnik, you came up with looks really KOOL. Congrats.
Will email you as soon as I have some cash in hand :)
@ vladimurr nope the only human opponents I will be playing with will be online. Only need a board when I am playing out a game from a book. But as I am surfing different chess educational sites like chessbase or chessok, I am beginning to wonder whether I even need a chess set.
Few days back, I ordered a Zagreb set from an online site, who were distributors for Chessbazaar here in India. While their pieces were simply gorgeous, it came with a 19" board which was too huge for me...a chess newbie and really a hobbyist. Managed to convince the distributor to take back the set, which they agreed to..so I am back looking out for a new set.
Ideally go in for a two, 12 and 15" boards, 12 for convenience and the 15 for some aesthetics, but the only problem here is smaller 2.5" chess pieces for the 12" don't have the same level of craftsmanship like the bigger pieces.
Its a tough choice between aesthetics and convenience. I am certain though, the pieces will be Zagreb :)
DId anyone mention chessbaron? Check the mid-price sets, they will include luxury material at a smaller size.
Indian chess pieces are among the finest made in the World! It sounds like you want an analyisis chess set. Maybe an Indian travel set for you?
What do you mean by Indian chess pieces? Post a link?
chess usa, house of staunton, chess store etc... all carry Indian made chess pieces. I still love my Polish chess pieces though.
@vladimurr there is a discussion here on Indian chess sets http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/wooden-chess-sets-in-india
Bit new to this, but it looks like chess pieces are sourced from India or Eastern Europe, while top chess board makers seem to be from Spain.
In the 25 years I've been playing, where my chess sets came from has never once crossed my mind. Guess like everything else it's China all the way or part of it. The one constant between retailers - online or otherwise - is the willingness to lie through their teeth is it helps make a sell, most often with the help of the law. Yet who knows maybe I own one or more Indian chess sets! 
In the 25 years I've been playing, where my chess sets came from has never once crossed my mind. Guess like everything else it's China all the way or part of it. The one constant between retailers - online or otherwise - is the willingness to lie through their teeth is it helps make a sell, most often with the help of the law. Yet who knows maybe I own one or more Indian chess sets!
yes, and now with selling by internet, it is the ability of high quality photographs to hide the truth about the pieces, and sell customers a fantasy fueled by photos.
Well the set arrived a couple of days ago, here are a few pics to update this thread. I'm very happy with it all. Unfortunately there a couple of marks on the board, under the lacquer which cannot be removed, so I'm going through the process to get it sorted. Other than that, very happy indeed! Thank you all for your help.
Wow, just wow... If it was in my nature I would be thoroughly envious. Sorry to hear about the board hope it all works out. Happy New Year 2u!!
Thank you Sangwin, the pictures really do not do the set justice, I was literally blown away by the pieces.
I've emailed ChessBazaar, and they seem very co-operative, I'll be looking to get the whole board replaced to be honest, as it's a set that I'm planning to keep for as long as I can, a partial refund etc would not solve the problem.
Happy new year to you too, and seasons greetings!
Regards,
m12
Well the set arrived a couple of days ago, here are a few pics to update this thread. I'm very happy with it all. Unfortunately there a couple of marks on the board, under the lacquer which cannot be removed, so I'm going through the process to get it sorted. Other than that, very happy indeed! Thank you all for your help.
Crap, I was all set to not get these pieces and then I saw your pictures. 
Now I've got the pieces and the similar board (but with the red dark squares) sitting in my cart. Just trying to build the courage to commit.
And the Chess Bazaar site is down. Probably a sign that I shouldn't be buying this set. 
As long as you're comfortable with it, it's great!
I personally like this board for your pieces, I think anything goes with the black and white. Of the boards you mentioned in 23" D0140 Is very nice, a tad light in color for the dark squares for my taste but really, anything from chessbazaar looks top notch.
Wooden Chess Board Ebony Shesham Wood 23" - 60 mm
Availability: In stock
Regular Price: $206.99
Special Price: $165.99
Quick Overview
Material: Shesham Wood / Ebony Wood
Dimensions: Board - 23" x 23" / (58.4 cm x 58.4 cm)
Square - 2.4" x 2.4" / (60 mm x 60 mm)
Board Thickness - 0.9" / 22 mm
You're getting: A chess board (no pieces included)
Weight : 5500 grams (194 oz)
Recommended Chess Piece Size: King Base: 1.7" - 1.9" / (50 mm - 55 mm) sq.
Shipping : FedEx 4-6 days delivery for US, UK, EU, IN
IndiaPost 10-15 days delivery for rest of the world