Official FIDE Chess Set

As expected, the unfortunate "official" FIDE set - the clunky one with the really ugly knight - is being used at the Candidates Tournament. These pieces were used in the London Candidates Tournament and the 2013 and 2014 World Championship matches.  It's purported to be based "on the proportions of classical Greek architecture and the classic Staunton design"....Makes me want to run out and buy one and throw money at FIDE and AGON....not!  It's for sale (way over-priced at 320.00 US) at http://fidechessset.com/#intro

This is a picture of the set and board posted on ChessBase.com.

The Knight looks comical in this picture with the snout being too big.  I'm talking about that White Knight sitting on g1.

I do like the King, Rook and even the Queen.  I think the Bishop looks kind of bloated.  I also think the Pawns look too much like Jaques ones and really don't match this set.  I think the pawns should look different.

This set is on eBay at $180 by 2 different sellers.  But this is an Ebonized set with only 2 Queens and no extras.  Comparing this set to others on the market, I certainly don't think it worth more than $150 to me.

I hate to say it, but this set is starting to grow on me. I like the clean lines and proportions of all of the pieces, save the knight, which looks great full face, but looks like it's ready for the glue factory in profile. I also wish the mfg. would offer it in sheesham.

But stranger than the scrawny knight, is the fact that the proportions of the FIDE Championship chess set are NOT within FIDE's own published equipment standards +/-10% (2015 edition).

As you can see by the design drawing and table below, the bishop, knight, rook and pawn are between 16-19% taller than the spec calls for.

Wouldn't it make sense to design a championship chess set that's within your own specs? Otherwise, why not change to specs to fit the set? 

The table below compares the FIDE spec with the actual dimensions of the FIDE Championship Chess Set.

I miss the Chess set used in the Intel Grand Prix PCA tourneys of the mid '90's. Not sure if that was an early DGT set or not. It had the cool German Knights with the longer snouts. Here's a video showing the sets ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3_DvCdIsqI

My friend @Ronbo710 ; the chess set used used in the early 80's and mid 90's is a French Desing call "Chavet model".

Yes and it has always remained one step ahead of capture for me 

The problem with the modern chavet is that the queen design has become quite horrendous.

Exactly. I mixed my modern Chavet #6 set (Rooks, Knights & Pawns) with the Europa #6 (Kings, Queens & Bishops). I think it is a pretty decent blend to the "almost" vintage Chavet lol. 

Yeah I kind of like them as well. I think they are a little pricey though.

Its nice to have a nice set to admire also. And there are many better than these at least in my opinion, but they also are pricey. These can grow on you however, and I believe they were made to be long lasting, which is good.

Thanks for sharing, and posting guys.

I don't mind the OP set except for a couple of things.  The pawns are way too tall and the pieces are too crowded on that board.  Shave about 1/4" to 3/8" off those pawns and get a board with bigger squares and I think the set is just fine to my personal taste (disregarding regulations).

I think the rosewood is beautiful. The design is simple but elegant in its own way, which I like. I also believe they were made for years of rugged play.

Ronbo 710

Great, Great Solution.

"THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT.  MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE".

"if not you can win join them" !

 You could not have Sophia Loren, why not Gina Lollobrigida more Claudia Cardinale??? Well...I'm not saying the body parts of each to join, do not go hand censorship act!

Thanks! I am glad The creators of the Europa set (Spain?) saw the beauty of the original Chavet Queens and didn't let modern design make them fugly.

We'll probably be seeing the FIDE set again for the upcoming world championship in November, where they will undoubtedly be using the 55mm (2.165") DGT e-board. Given the dimensions published above, here are the dimensions we'll be seeing during the event.

I just can't seem to like the set. The knight kills it for me, though I also don't care for the bishop. The rooks are ok, maybe a little wispy for my liking. I'm just not a fan of the FIDE set, I suppose. Oddly, I like the queens and kings of the set, but that's about it. And the knight.....ugh. Is there a vet in the house?

I wonder if they're going to use that same style set from last championship for this upcoming world match. I wish they'd use a standard Staunton or Dubrovnik set

The problem is, that whatever set they use (other than a DGT set) would have to be modified to work with the electronic chess board.

I think they were trying to make a set normal players could afford, and would last longer than some other types of sets. Also Lou you make a good point about it having to be able to be utilized on an electic board.

Personally I would like to see the old styles brought back as well. One piece knights, leather bottoms, finely sculpted. That is just me though.

I actually really like the simplicity of the set.  It is certainly not (IMO) worth the price they are asking for it.  If the price could come down some I think that there would not only be more of a market, but also enhance its rep

Don't forget about the free chess set contest guys, its open to all. Check under equipment. If your not aware of it.