First, you must decide between Staunton pattern sets and the decorative ones.
If it's going to be a "serious" playing set, it ought to be Staunton, which can be very pleasing visually.
If it's mostly for show, then the practical aspect of a playing set does not weigh at all.
If it's going to be on a low table, you might consider a tiroir. I have one like this and it's nice, plus there's a place to store the pieces and extra queen etc:
http://www.houseofstaunton.com/Store/product_name=The+Library+Collector+Series+Chess+Set+and+Board+Combination/exact_match=exact/user-id=/password=
What is Staunton pattern?
Tha tiroir is exactly what I don't want. Very ugly. Wood and brown/red instead of black.
You can change the color of the pieces on the Tiroir. Mine has black pieces (ebonized).
Oh and what is the best size to get? I'm looking for a good full sized board.
That's more along the lines of what I like, would probably prefer white pieces to wood though. Also that's too expensive, yikes. I was browsing that site that EGBDF recommended and found this: http://www.chessbaron.biz/chess-U2011.htm , this gave me a whole new material idea I hadn't thought of, marble. Marble is very pretty, and I will probably lean towards that or glass/crystal. I don't like the faceless knights on the particular set I'm linking though. I also saw this on the same site, http://www.chessbaron.biz/chess-U5001.htm , again very pretty, but I don't think I like the "Fat Boy" chubby pieces. Kinda odd, heh. Definately giving me ideas though guys and thanks for all the feedback so far everyone. Keep it coming.
I'm checking out that website that you keep linking now jhb; lotta stuff out there, but it seems that they pretty much only have wooden sets? Besides some 10 grand mammoth ivory set, it's pretty much all wood, which I'm trying to avoid. Or am I sorting poorly?
the staunton site is mostly wood. some heavy weighted plastic, nothing you would want to display. Marble is nice so long as you get a set with distinguishing features (I had one where king and queen were virtually unidentifiable). Beware small children dropping them.
Good luck!
You won't prefer a glass/crystal set after you break a piece, trust me, you will break one or someone else will. I happen to like wood sets but that's just me, I can't tell you what to like or dislike.
If you're serious about playing chess, a staunton set is de riguer. Sets like US Civil War sets look nice but they're for showing off, not for actually playing and analyzing with IMHO.
http://www.thechessstore.com/?gclid=CImYjNiYmaoCFQ8r7AodUinmww
http://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess_pieces/wood_chess_pieces?ac=google&gclid=CPOXu_mYmaoCFREq7AodXQwPXQ
http://www.chessusa.com/?gclid=CLme6oSZmaoCFQHu7QoddxOsxw
That marble set looks really nice. If you're ever planning a trip to Mexico, in Progreso they have shops all over the place selling chess sets. I picked up a nice marble & onyx set for $35 which makes a nice decorative set as well as one to play on. The pieces aren't exactly Staunton but close enough that you'll be able to tell each piece apart.
I would think the themed sets would be too hard to figure out which piece is which. Like the American civil war sets from the Franklin Mint, you'd be asking, "OK, is Stonewall Jackson a knight or a bishop?" Nice for display, but probably not for play. For serious play I wouldn't want anything other than standard Staunton.
I really do love the wooden Staunton sets. One of those and a nice wooden board would make an excellent display set that's also good for playing.
I thought that was metal at first and it was pretty nice looking. Turns out it's diamond encrusted and it doesn't even list a price; that's when you know you're in trouble. Lol.
I thought that was metal at first and it was pretty nice looking. Turns out it's diamond encrusted and it doesn't even list a price; that's when you know you're in trouble. Lol.
It's not really cheap.
http://www.diamondvues.com/2007/03/500000_diamond_studded_chess_s.html
So very sparkly and shiny!
For decorative sets - you might take a look at the Studio Anne Carlton sets available from the House of Staunton (and ebay, of course).
Some of them are nice looking without being so decorative that a game would be impossible. I've seen auctions for their "antiqued" style sets go on ebay for less than $100.
You can also find some nice looking unique sets from time to time on etsy.com.
I am looking to buy a new chess set in the near future, and I am getting lost in the vast selection when none of them are really what I want. So looking for some input from you guys on this one. If you have any suggestions as to a manufacturer, type of board, store/website to look, or even link me a specific chess set, any help would be greatly appreciated. Here is what I want:
I want something that looks nice as it will probably be on display in my living room. I do not want a plain old wood set. I do not want a travel (folding) board. I think I would prefer a glass/crystal set, but I would consider almost any material (metal, ceramic, w/e). I wouldn't mind a themed chess set (ie Harry Potter/LotR/Medieval), as long as again it looks nice and the pieces are easily distinguished for what they represent (this is usually not the case so I'm leaning away from these). I would prefer them to also be white and black, some other color in the set is fine, but the pieces should represent white and black. I see a lot of glass sets that are like frosty and clear or wood ones that are red and white or brown and white and I am not a big fan of any of this.
Price is not really a concern at this point, but certainly don't point me to any custom-made diamond encrusted 1000$ set. I think that mostly sums it up.