Tournament chess set

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AquaMan

I want to buy a tournament chess set for use on Monday nights at the local chess gathering.  I’d like to compare preferences with you before I make my buy.

Money isn’t a big factor.  $60 is fine.  

My biggest indecision is on colors for the vinyl board.  The black and white squares seems stark.  I would probably prefer gray and white.  Or maybe brown and white.  I haven’t seen gray and white for sale anywhere though, and haven’t seen brown and white in the more expensive sets.  I don’t want blue or red.  Probably not green either. 

Pieces triple weighted of course.  I like the crème color for white pieces.  I think I’d like the full size case so that the board fits entirely inside the case.

Questions

At official tournaments, are black and white boards always used?

Which set do you like best and why?

Here’s my top picks so far.

Crown  Series, The Chess Store

House of Staunton   No picture of board or pieces, though.  Out of stock on Marshall 3.75" Plastic - Black/Natural pieces.


goldendog

Howdy Neighbor,

 About boards: Typical for us here in the states is green/buff or cream for the vinyl roll-ups. Sometimes the dark squares are black or brown. These are sold by the USCF and by other online retailers. Quality can be not so good sometimes when you go cheap on these. The vinyl can be imperfectly formed (i.e. pitting that shows the underlying color of the vinyl through dark squares) and dots and specks of the opposite color on the light squares. I haven't bought from USCF in more than 10 years but I never had that problem with their (more expensive) vinyl roll-ups.

Also sold are boards with blue or other odd colored squares. Don't like 'em myself and prefer to not play on them.

 

I also don't like the cream or buff colors of most of these boards. Too light for 

me as they seem bright to me under good lighting, causing eyestrain over the 

course of a few hours.  Most people can get along though, even me.

 

I just bought a folding vinyl board because the light squares in the pic seemed either gray  or yellowish, depending on which monitor I was using.

When it arrived, they actually were a color hard to describe. Dirty white with

a green cast--but not bright in any case so good for me. I need to post a review in

the reviews section I think. Easy on the eyes and it always lays flat :)

 

For a plastic set, the Marshall from HOS is excellent. I have their plastic

Collector (3.75") and it is the best plastic set I've seen. The Marshall should be 

about the same. If you wanted to hazard an inexpensive but capable wood set

in a tournament, the set I got from Cajun Chess might fill the bill.

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=CAJUNCHESS&product_name=Club+Series+Chessmen&cart_id=9328907.96465&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact

It's a wooden knock off of the solid plastic USCF special cheapo sets we've used 

for years and years and years. I got it because it is very standard for US players, 

sturdy, goes well on a green-squared board (black pieces show well on green--brown ones show on black), acceptably weighted, and cheap

enough so that I wouldn't be worrying about it during any time-trouble/blitz 

chess. 

 

P.S. Cajun also has the Marshall. Same price as the wood set. 


AquaMan

Thanks, neighbor.  I didn't realize green was the standard color for boards.  I see that now, looking on the USCF site, and some others. 

Reb also turned me on to the plastic Collector Set at Chesshouse.com, and a beautiful picture of the set.  Good prices and good selection at chesshouse, too.  Thanks, Reb. 

With the term "Plastic Collector Set" in hand, I also found by google some excellent pictures of different color combos of the Collector Set, here. 

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/Plastic_Collector.html

I don't play much blitz, but I still like the high quality plastic I think.  From pictures, and to my eye, I like the shape of the plastic Collector Set over the inexpensive wood sets I've seen so far.  I like the very pronounced cut in the bishop's hat, and the detail on the knights.  I like the extra weight, too.  I tend to fumble the lighter pieces.  I like the feel of stone pieces, for example.  I do appreciate the link above on the wood set though, so I can consider it, and have not entirely counted out wood pieces. I would use them and not worry about wearing them out.  I should be so fortunate as to actually wear them out :).

On the plastic Collector Set my main indecision is on size of pieces and size of board squares.  The collector set comes in 3.75" King and 4" King.  2 1/4" squares is tournament standard.  Some web sites recommend 2 1/4 squares for 3.75" King, and 2 3/8" squares for 4" King.  On the other hand, the Crown Series set I referenced in my original post is 4" King, 1.75" dia base, with 2 1/4 board, so maybe it's fine.  Chesshouse.com has 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 (even bigger than standard) vinyl boards, not 2 3/8.  So I'm leaning toward 3.75" King and standard 2 1/4 board.

Anyone out there happy with 4" King on 2 1/4 squares?

Is black/natural pieces considered reasonably standard and good contrast against green vinyl board? 

At this point here's what I'm thinking of ordering.  But still might go to the 4" King, not sure.

http://www.chesshouse.com/Plastic_Collector_Black_Natural_p/e144.htm

http://www.chesshouse.com/Quality_Vinyl_Roll_up_Chess_Board_20in_USA_p/e010a.htm

http://www.chesshouse.com/Deluxe_Chess_Bag_with_Shoulder_Strap_p/e727.htm

http://www.chesshouse.com/Ultimate_Scorebook_Games_p/853.htm

Guessing on the score book.  I suppose this one is fine. 

Black and natural on the pieces, green on the board and bag.

Still interested to hear what people like.  Your thoughts so far have definitely seeded my research and helped me find better gear.  Thanks so much.

Paul


goldendog

Here's a pic of my 3.75" Collector on a 2.25" roll-up (actually slightly bigger than 2.25" but not by much):

 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/MooscaHumano/RedCollectorWeinstockVinyl-2-resize.jpg

That size set goes pretty well with the standard size board, and I'd be more

than happy to play on it anytime except that the official USCF rulebook says

that the dark pieces should be approximate some kind of dark wood (ebony/

rosewood/etc.)--and I'd probably get an opponent who would object and the TD would have to rule with him. Another reason I went for the wood set I linked to in my earlier post. I really like the "natural' color for the Collector white pieces btw.

For me, a 4" King on a 2-1/4" inch board is too crowded. 2-3/8th is better:

 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/MooscaHumano/CollectorHOSRoseSyc-resize.jpg

and for me (I like some spaciousness) 2-1/2" is ideal:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/MooscaHumano/CollectorLawliss-1.jpg " target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/MooscaHumano/CollectorLawliss-1.jpg 

I'd say the combo of 3.75" plastic Collector and a green/buff 2.25" roll-up board sets you up nicely for a long time. Very handsome combo I think.

Since you are running off regularly to play chess that bag will serve you well. 

Inexpensive and a lot of utility. Spiral bound scorebooks are the way to go I think. 

...now...you may want a clock. I think $35 gets you a good and reliable timer, eventually anyway.


AquaMan

Thanks, Tom.  I see you joined the site just in time to help me out :).

The pictures are great!  Does the 4" set feel much larger and heavier than the 3.75" set?  At home do you pretty much use the 4" set?

It's not likely I'll be playing USCF tournaments any time soon.  Ya never know. 

I'm just swinging the pendulum back and forth between the two sizes until I figure out which one I want.

I can picture setting up occasionally on a park table, in a library, or hotel lobby, and just reading a book until someone walks by and wants a game.   Other than that, the Monday night gathering.  And at home.

Paul 


goldendog

The 4" Collector is wood, the 3.75" plastic, and indeed the larger set is about 11 oz heavier and it plays bigger, as you suggest.

 I have some pieces/board combos I rely on as a workhorse...at home and away. Others, like the wooden Collector, are fragile enough (like the very sharp points on the queen's coronet) that I use 'em just for thoughtful chess time at home...sometimes with a trusted chess buddy who's not going to knock the pieces around. Using them is a real pleasure though. Very nicely weighted and just as well balanced. They are finished to a silky finish as well. Taken with their eye-appeal, it's just great to use them.

It's the cheaper sets that get the most use though.

At some local parks, like at Portland State University, there are marble boards 

set up, but I'd bet that if you played on such a board frequently the plastic Collector

would get broken. Stone board and concrete below. It seems inevitable. For park 

encounters with passing chess fans I'd pull out the very cheap but servicable solid

plastic pieces. Like $5 for a set. 

My pleasure to be of any help. I'm glad those pics sitting on my harddrive had the chance to see the light of day and be useful :)

Tom 

P.S. I remember one person's comment on rec.games.chess that the 4" Plastic 

Collector to him seemed way too bottom-heavy, which would be a case of good weighting but sub-par balancing. I have never handled a 4" plastic Collector so I can't really say one way or another.


AquaMan

Oh, yeah, I forgot they came in wood.  I thought those 4" pieces looked awfully nice, Tom!  That's probably what was subconsciously starting to lure me toward the 4" :).  OK, I think I'll go with 3.75 and standard tournament board.

You're comments on a cheap knock around set for the park made me think of another item toward a $100 total to save the 7$ shipping.  A triple weighted $10-15 set, and a second vinyl board.  I could buy a mid range tourney combo package (bag, board, pieces), then add in the plastic Collector Series 3.75 and a second board.  Toss in an opening repertoire video and I'm good.

For wood tournament, I also found:

HOS Classic Series

Rosewood HOS Classic set at chesshouse.com  On my display the red pieces look dark red-brown, sort of an ox blood.  If so, I like that color. 

The one time I was at the Monday night gathering, everyone was using plastic pieces and vinyl boards.  People were either playing with no clock at all or playing fairly fast time controls; 3 min + 5 sec, and 5 min + 10 sec, I think.  That's too fast for me.  As a beginner I prefer no time controls, targeted toward about a 45 minute game.  Later when I get interested in time controls I can research the clocks, and maybe buy a wood set at the same time.

My thoughts so far anyway.  I really appreciate the conversation on this.

Paul


likesforests

www.wholesalechess.com has some nice plastic tournament sets. I didn't compare them against other vendors, but it's one more option to consider.


goldendog

I wouldn't trust that color for the rosewood. Indian rosewood is typically brown and brown with gray tones.

Red Sandalwood is that color but an expensive option. More expensive than ebony even.

Oh well. That's for the future anyway.

Tom 


ewige

All this talk of heavy pieces reminded me that I had stowed away a set of Industrial themed pieces that I hadn't taken out in years.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk93/ewige_photos/IMG_0403.jpg 

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk93/ewige_photos/IMG_0400.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk93/ewige_photos/IMG_0398.jpg 

 

The Kings are 4" tall and probably weigh about half a kilo. Very satisfying to be moving pieces heavy enough to really wound someone should they interfere with your game. The board was a gift made by a friend who thought I needed a similarly styled board to play them on.


AquaMan
ewige, that's great!  Made me smile.  Thanks.
ericmittens

Don't buy wood pieces for tournaments, people will make fun of you. Also they'll break....

 

Get a vinyl roll up board and a set of triple weighted plastic pieces. That's all you'll ever need. 


AquaMan
ericmittens wrote:

Don't buy wood pieces for tournaments, people will make fun of you.


I suppose the boards made out of mouse pad material are out, too.  Am I right?  :)

I thought about buying one in addition to the vinyl, but then decided to just order two vinyl; one green, one brown.  Order not submitted yet.


AquaMan
likesforests, good suggestion, as usual.  wholesalechess.com looks like good prices and good selection.  Their shopping cart isn't persistent, even if I have a logon, but that's a minor inconvenience.
Jasn

I bought the plastic 3.75 "Super Staunton" set from Wholesalechess.com, and couldn't be happier. These are from House of Staunton, so the quality is foremost. I'd suggest you get the "natural" rather than the "ivory" for the white pieces, though, as the natural is a nice mellow color. 

http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_pieces/Super+Staunton+Collector+Chess+Pieces+%283+%BE%22+King%29

 


goldendog
AquaMan wrote:ericmittens wrote:

Don't buy wood pieces for tournaments, people will make fun of you.


I suppose the boards made out of mouse pad material are out, too.  Am I right?  :)

I thought about buying one in addition to the vinyl, but then decided to just order two vinyl; one green, one brown.  Order not submitted yet.


 Ah don't worry about. I've never seen a non-fancy wood set "laughed at" when used in a tournament nor ever experienced the kind of behaviour by an opponent that would break either the one I linked earlier or the HOS Classic you linked. Both are plenty tough enough.

The thing with mousepad boards, the pieces don't slide, they catch on the 

fabric. I'm in the "sliding camp." Just my habit. Apart from that mousepad boards are good.


goldendog
Jasn wrote:

I bought the plastic 3.75 "Super Staunton" set from Wholesalechess.com, and couldn't be happier. These are from House of Staunton, so the quality is foremost. I'd suggest you get the "natural" rather than the "ivory" for the white pieces, though, as the natural is a nice mellow color. 

http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_pieces/Super+Staunton+Collector+Chess+Pieces+%283+%BE%22+King%29

 


 Not only a great set for you but also for your opponents who will appreciate the elegant and nicely weighted pieces.


ericmittens
I consider my crummy looking well worn plastic set and rollup board a badge of honour! People with nice boards at tournaments spend too much time thinking about how pretty their pieces look and not enough time thinking about the game! Tongue out
Saikoro

http://www.chesshouse.com/Executive_Tournament_Chess_Set_Combo_p/c211.htm

This is the set I use.  Not at all expensive, very nice pieces and board, and it says the pieces are quadruple weighted.  I've not used many other sets to compare it to, but the pieces are indeed quite heavy! 


goldendog
crapitsmatty wrote:

http://www.chesshouse.com/Executive_Tournament_Chess_Set_Combo_p/c211.htm

This is the set I use.  Not at all expensive, very nice pieces and board, and it says the pieces are quadruple weighted.  I've not used many other sets to compare it to, but the pieces are indeed quite heavy! 


 How's the board on that combo? I bought a cheapo (made in China as it turns out) and it isn't so good. It doesn't quite lie flat and inking faults.


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