Yes, similar...
But the rest of set very diferent. The chessboard to small, horrible smal ( in russian-soviet tradition, and I don't now why. A closeup shows things that I don't like in the wood. None of Kadum sets is a perfect replica of the fantastic russian-Soviet chess pieces, and I have a few. Yes, very beautiful sets, luxury sets, but something like "Jaques-Russian". "Neither meat nor fish". Sorry, is my opinion.
The price is crazy.
Thanks for posting this, Arlindo! I had never seen that picture of Petrosian with the "Tal" set. That second set is incredible. I agree with you about Kadun--neither fish nor fowl, but priced like caviar.
I acquired a soviet plastic set today, and should be getting it in Russian Delivery Time; i.e. anywhere from three weeks to three months, depending on the phase of the moon, the day of the week, the gender of the postal worker, or any one of several dozen other variables. Pictures taken from the Ebay listing. It is similar in some ways to the Moscow 1940 set, but much different in others. King 11 cm, pawn 5 cm.
A very handsome set! And large. Knock on wood, I've never had a problem with a delivery from either Russia or Ukraine. Felted? Weighted? Which era is it from?
Chuck, probably unweighted -- the whole set is just under a pound and a half. The felt is typical Soviet paper felt, with some missing. SEller claimed the set was from the late 60's.
Robert, this looks to be a smaller version (8.5 cm) of your set. It claims to be from Riga, Latvia pre-1991.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Soviet-Russian-Plastic-Chess-Set-Box-Label-without-Board-Latvia-USSR-/201379167981?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee3223eed
As i know, a dream of my friend cgrau (and mine of course), lovers whe are of Russian Soviet chess sets.
Well, my dream, which I expect to spend also be the dream cgrau.
Very, very rare.
An extraordinary set made in URSS: never used in tournaments, never reproduced. As I understand, this set was used for photos only in Moscow Club, at best in 1940 USSR Championship.
I do not know if the Set is plastic or wooden (plastic seems to me), but what can be seen in Egorov photos is that it is one of incredible beauty and perfection, nothing, yet nothing less than the British Jaques. The Knight is extraordinary detailed, carved and the aesthetic beauty of the set is marvelous!
I dream with this set, because only dozens are made only for this tournament or for Moscow Club in 1940. I never see one in any International Collection, or in sale in any auction.
Hello Arlindo, I recently acquired a set which I believe to be quite similiar to your dream set. The pieces are black and red. After sharing the pictures of my set with Chuck Grau, he feels they are the same dessign as your Soviet dream set and are Soviet made. I want to thank Chuk Grau here for his help, research and additional pictures of your 1940 dream set. But there is also a question as to what my set is made of. At first I thought the pieces were made of 100% wood, but after a closer inspection I feel they are not. The set might be made of a composite wood or a resin type material. Its just too difficult to tell exactly. My set needs much restoration as it is missing the King's and Queen's finials and there are many chips to piece bases. I will have Alan Dewey restore the set. I hope you enjoy my pictures and would like to hear your opinion of my set.
Wow, goodknightmike! Did you just get that? The set looks awesome. Looking forward to the pics after Alan has had a chance to touch up the set.
Wow, goodknightmike! Did you just get that? The set looks awesome. Looking forward to the pics after Alan has had a chance to touch up the set.
Yes, a recent acquisition. Thanks Lokahi, will post pictures after Alan makes repairs
Hello Arlindo, I recently acquired a set which I believe to be quite similiar to your dream set. The pieces are black and red. After sharing the pictures of my set with Chuck Grau, he feels they are the same dessign as your Soviet dream set and are Soviet made. I want to thank Chuk Grau here for his help, research and additional pictures of your 1940 dream set. But there is also a question as to what my set is made of. At first I thought the pieces were made of 100% wood, but after a closer inspection I feel they are not. The set might be made of a composite wood or a resin type material. Its just too difficult to tell exactly. My set needs much restoration as it is missing the King's and Queen's finials and there are many chips to piece bases. I will have Alan Dewey restore the set. I hope you enjoy my pictures and would like to hear your opinion of my set.
That's beautiful, Mike. It looks to me like it is some sort of early hard resin; maybe a bakelite analogue? It was obviously turned, looking at the shot of the bases. I, too look forward to seeing it when it is complete.
Thanks Robert, I don't know anything about early hard resin, but the pieces are quite heavy considering their not weighted.
I took some more pictures and these came out much better showing more detail
I think Mike's set is a Soviet reproduction of the white and black set Arlindo describes and shows above, designed and used by the Moscow Chess Club in 1940 and possibly used in the 1940 Soviet Championship, which was held in Moscow.
The evidence that it was used in the 1940 championship is circumstantial, as nowhere can we see clocks or scoresheets in the photos. Moreover, the existing photos of Keres and Bondarevsky show them to be Black and White, respectively, in the same position. The position does not correspond to any position reached in the tournament game between them where Keres played Black. Nor does it correspond to any position I could find in games between them in 1940-41 where Keres played Black, nor to any position from 1940 tournament games where Keres played Black. I think the photos are of skittles, or were staged for the photographer.
I found this set earlier today at a local antique shop. A Soviet plastic set.
I found this set earlier today at a local antique shop. A Soviet plastic set.
Very nice!
Here's some pics on my board with 2 7/16" squares
As i know, a dream of my friend cgrau (and mine of course), lovers whe are of Russian Soviet chess sets.
Well, my dream, which I expect to spend also be the dream cgrau.
Very, very rare.
An extraordinary set made in URSS: never used in tournaments, never reproduced. As I understand, this set was used for photos only in Moscow Club, at best in 1940 USSR Championship.
I do not know if the Set is plastic or wooden (plastic seems to me), but what can be seen in Egorov photos is that it is one of incredible beauty and perfection, nothing, yet nothing less than the British Jaques. The Knight is extraordinary detailed, carved and the aesthetic beauty of the set is marvelous!
I dream with this set, because only dozens are made only for this tournament or for Moscow Club in 1940. I never see one in any International Collection, or in sale in any auction.