I own the newer version. The two, thicker pieces look like mine. So, you are correct.
2021 Official FIDE World Chess Set.
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Thanks. After posting this thread, I remembered how few people here actually own the Official FIDE World Chess set. Even fewer (maybe 2?) own the original 2013 version that came with the flimsy cardboard insert.
Yesterday's Candidates Tournament "Restart" got me thinking about the official set again. Looking around the internet for photos and videos reminds me how little consistent quality control there was with these sets. The form of the official Knight varied widely in photos. Sometimes the pieces didn't even 100% match the image printed on the box. There was no precise consistency with the official sets through the years.
Only Daniel Weil can tell us what is his preferred Knight form. And did the manufacturers even get it right with the first 2013 release? Or did the manufacturers botch it, but it was too late to correct it in time for the 2013 tournament and merchandise. And later releases of the Knight in subsequent years had it correct to Daniel Weil's satisfaction(?).
Going by Shelby's experience with the Ultimates set makes me realize how long and arduous it is to work with manufacturers outside of the country. And that was with an existing Ultimates set form. Daniel Weil's set was completely new and very different to what the manufacturers were used to carving. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that the 2013 version was not to Weil's 100% approval.
Here is Daniel Weil's 2018 Keynote presentation on his background, his love for art and chess, and his thought process in his own words. It's interesting to note that he uses the newer stockier Knights in his presentation throughout.
To coincide with the current 2021 "Restart" of the Candidates Tournie it looks like World Chess has restocked the shelves. Well, pre-orders actually. Shipping in 2 weeks.
Official World Chess Pieces. Triple-weighted, 3.75" King, Extra queens.
And a new product... The Official World Chess Premium Board made with EBONY.
You don't see an ebony board too often. Holysmokes.
Made of Maple (white squares), Ebony wood (black squares) and Acacia (the borders) solid wood. The board size is 50cm (20") and square size is 5x5cm (2"). The same as the Official World Chess Board. The weight of the board is 4,5 kilos (10lbs!) $270 usd.
Schachmonkey wrote:
Do you think the board is solid wood?
It does say "solid wood" in the description. A term World Chess has not used for any of their other boards. And it is 10lbs in weight. But World Chess should be the one to confirm it.
FYI. Below is a statement from World Chess regarding their ebony chess board:
The entire board is made of solid wood, no veneers.
The board is not double sided, underside is covered with black felt.
Pawnerai wrote:
Official FIDE World Chess Set Knights.
The top two pics are of the new thicker one. Correct?
The bottom two pics are the old slim versions?
I can't tell anymore if it's the angle playing tricks on me. I know sometimes camera lenses distort features at close range. The two sets of pics are Official World Chess set pieces. Not repros. Just not sure of the version year.
The two top knights are genuine and the ones below copy.
SpanishStallion wrote:
The two top knights are genuine and the ones below copy.
Re: the two bottom Knights
The seller says the set was purchased over 5 years ago. And it is an Official FIDE World Chess set. Although it's possible he was mistaken.
BobRossChessboss wrote:
@pawnerai @schachmonkey
"RoyalChessMall" sells a similar looking maple and ebony board but with sheesham borders and without the hexagons. It is also slightly larger. The underside is felted green.
In both the World Chess and RCM board, the frame appears to be of solid wood but I believe they use a plyboard base under the squares. One would have to peel back the bottom felt to find out.
That RoyalChessMall ebony board is even worse than you described. Check out the RCM product shots closely. Even the frame looks to be thin wood glued onto the base board.
Zoom in real close to the edges of the RoyalChessMall ebony board. That board construction does NOT look right at all. Looks like less than a quarter-inch layer of "solid wood" is glued onto a base wood board. You can see the individual layers.
What nonsense is this? That's pretty low and deceiving of RCM. I think it can be called "solid wood" once it's above a certain thickness. Wood veneers are measured in 1/64ths of an inch. As thin as a sheet of paper. So TECHNICALLY, anything above let's say (I'm guessing) 1/16-1/8 of an inch could be called "solid wood". That just reeks of deception though.
Aaaand.... zooming in on the new 2021 World Chess Premium ebony board (below) reveals similar construction. Dang. That's shady. Same "layered" construction on the edge.
Apr 22, 2021
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#13
Nice catch @Pawnerai. I personally wouldn't mind having or buying a board with thin wood glued to a base of plywood or MDF but I agree with you in that it should be advertised as such. Just calling it solid wood is plain misleading at best. With that said I love the wood color combination they choose here. I'm going to see Sweethill can make me something with similar wood/color combo.
That's messed up! How can they call it a solid wood board if it is veneered. I agree the felt is always a giveaway about it not being solid wood.
Pawnerai wrote:
BobRossChessboss wrote:
@pawnerai @schachmonkey
"RoyalChessMall" sells a similar looking maple and ebony board but with sheesham borders and without the hexagons. It is also slightly larger. The underside is felted green.
In both the World Chess and RCM board, the frame appears to be of solid wood but I believe they use a plyboard base under the squares. One would have to peel back the bottom felt to find out.
That RoyalChessMall ebony board is even worse than you described. Check out the RCM product shots closely. Even the frame looks to be thin wood glued onto the base board.
Zoom in real close to the edges of the RoyalChessMall ebony board. That board construction does NOT look right at all. Looks like less than a quarter-inch layer of "solid wood" is glued onto a base wood board. You can see the individual layers.
What nonsense is this? That's pretty low and deceiving of RCM. I think it can be called "solid wood" once it's above a certain thickness. Wood veneers are measured in 1/64ths of an inch. As thin as a sheet of paper. So TECHNICALLY, anything above let's say (I'm guessing) 1/16-1/8 of an inch could be called "solid wood". That just reeks of deception though.
Aaaand.... zooming in on the new 2021 World Chess Premium ebony board (below) reveals similar construction. Dang. That's shady. Same "layered" construction on the edge.
Unfortunately many fake copies have been made of the original World Championship sets. The ones made by RCM are the poorest quality ones.
2021 Official FIDE World Championship Chess Set is finally in stock at ChessBaron.
$299 usd. Free shipping worldwide.
https://www.chessbaron.com/product/X2077
Hi, I’ve recently bought the Fide wch set, I chose the dgt weighted version. I have to say, this set appealed to me from the first day I saw it back in the anand-carlsen match. In real life this set is very special, every piece is different from what I was used to playing with the normal, more common sets (like: timeless set). Except for the king, all the other pieces are bigger, taller than my other tournament sets, and have a very good weight to them fully in accordance with the official description.
The quality is very good, though not perfect, but certainly good enough for me. I really like that the pieces are not too shiny.
Playability is second to none. Only little negative is, the felts are very thin (maybe only the dgt version), so the pieces sit on the board (kind of like they had no felts). Highly recommend this set.
Sorry about the bad pictures.
@dobtom This is awesome. Thank you! There are at most, maybe 5(?) people who post here, who own the legit World Chess Championship set. Of those, you might be the only one who owns the weighted DGT version. This made my day. What shop did you purchase the set from?
I hope you don't mind, I will be messaging you for a few extra photo angles. If you can't be bothered, feel free to ignore. I won't take it personally Hah!
I do not mind at all, in the weekend I will have time to take pictures. You guys were great help to me also. I purchased from chess (schach) niggeman in Germany, highly recommend them.
Official FIDE World Chess Set Knights.
The top two pics are of the new thicker one. Correct?
The bottom two pics are the old slim versions?
I can't tell anymore if it's the angle playing tricks on me. I know sometimes camera lenses distort features at close range. The two sets of pics are Official World Chess set pieces. Not repros. Just not sure of the version year.