Tournament Kit Question

I have a tournament coming up in several months and I want to buy a tournament kit. Hous of Stauton sells these nicer quality ones I rather have than the vinyl.

THIS KIT HERE

I am just wondering if there are rules against using this type of set (wooden board with wooden pieces)? Do I have to have the vinyl/plastic sets for USCF sponsored tournaments?

Thanks

Mike

I thought tournaments have their own chess sets, guess some don't.

That's what I thought too. I think for some tournaments you need your own?

Never went to a tournament like that, is this some type of unofficial tournament.

No, I'm just wondering if I need one, and if so, is the one I indicated OK. Its official. I just assumed you need one because every site sells them.

In the U.S. players need to provide their own kit.  I dig it when an opponent of mine lugs a wooden board around with them.  I'll play with their stuff even when I've got black. 

As long as you have staunton pieces you're cool.

Thanks!

A wood set and board are also acceptable for USCF tournaments. I'd imagine that some people don't bring wood sets/boards to otb tournaments because you have no control over getting paired with a jerk who doesn't respect other people's equipment. (Also, if the board doesn't fold, it tends to be very unwieldy.)

I would mention one caveat. The House of Staunton (HOS) has recently started selling boards with the option of placing the HOS insignia on the h1 square. Imho, this is extremely distracting, and I'd never own one of those boards. Also, I'd probably refuse to play on one of those boards in a tournament.

In many tournaments in the US you have to supply your own board/clock/pieces.  People who bring really nice wood boards and pieces to these events are generally snickered at behind their back.  I guess the general feeling is similar to the guy who owns the really expensive guitar but can't play it well vs. the guy with the old, beat up piece of crap but can wail on it.

Personally, I love to play on nice boards and pieces and I own several different tournament kits including a folding wood board and pieces. But I never take it to a tournament.  Partly because of the snickering but even more so because I don't want the set damaged.  I've had too many plastic pieces knocked off the table and onto the floor (accidently).  I would be bummed if that happened to one of my nice wood pieces.  The board is not as big a deal since the likely hood of damaging that is much less.

I have that same bag with a nice folding wood board and a 4" Collector Series in plastic.  But it's very heavy to carry around so I will only take that set to the chess club to play with friends on occasion. For tournaments I usually just take my small HOS bag, vinyl board and a 3.75" Collector Series plastic set.  It's still a nice set but not so much as to incur ridicule.

I really hate playing with really crappy plastic chess pieces.  I know it doesn't really matter, but I'm such a fan of nice chess pieces that I find crappy sets as distracting as some people find really nice sets!!! But if that's all you can afford, or it's just not as important to a person then all that really matters is that you have something to play on! As long as it's a Staunton set, you are all set!!

At the tournaments I've played in (typically my club's local adult tournaments), I haven't noticed any behind-the-back snickering at owners of wood boards/sets. Maybe my club is less judgemental, idk.

Even if snickering were to exist, I'd prefer to recall a Richard Feynman book titled "What Do You Care What Other People Think?"

OP  Your set (kit ) is fine for tournament play .  I use old beat up wooden pieces that I have had about 40 years on one of the typical vinyl roll up boards . If my opponent has nice wooden pieces and board I will often opt to play with his equipment , even when I have black .  I dont take my best pieces to tournaments for fear that they may get damaged or stolen .... My best pieces are used mostly for casual games and analysis of positions... at home. 

EscherehcsE wrote:

I would mention one caveat. The House of Staunton (HOS) has recently started selling boards with the option of placing the HOS insignia on the h1 square. Imho, this is extremely distracting, and I'd never own one of those boards. Also, I'd probably refuse to play on one of those boards in a tournament.

HOS has the option of ordering their boards without their logo on H1. And if you play against someone who has the logo and it bugs you , just ask them to not castle King side :p

My HERO! Richard Feynman! You nailed it spot on; however, I absolutely believe there are people who will laugh at you behind your back. The guitar analogy is spot on. Then again, who gives a flying s--t.

I decided on this set:

Anyone can vouch for it??

HERE

I'm not familiar with that seller or that specific set, but based on the description, it looks good to me. Now all you need is a clock. (Digital, not analog.)

And there appears to be one for sale here:

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/chronos-clock-for-sale by member named Bardu.

I bought the set. Thanks for the info about the clock for sale Richard. I contacted the seller.

Mike

I'm sure you'll be happy with it. That set looks really nice.  My set was waiting on me today when I got home from work. It's a triple weighted set w/ vinyl board. I can't wait to use it.