This is a cheap set that is tournament worthy. The pieces are nearly destructible. I haven't ordered from USCF in a long time, but as I recall they were pretty good shipping their goods in a timely manner.
Traveling Chess Sets
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I usually order from chess.com, and I've always been happy with them. (EDIT : wholesalechess.com. Sorry about that.)
http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_sets/club_chess_sets/quality_starter_chess_set_combo
That's a suggestion, but they have other sets. Look around a bit.
They have a combo with a chess.com T-shirt, too, but it's currently out of stock.
http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_sets/club_chess_sets/chess.com_chess_set_combo
Sep 19, 2010
0
#4
I'd add that if you can try to get pieces that are extra weighted. Lots of the tournament style sets look the same, but the heavier the pieces are, the better. It looks like Baldr has found a similar, possibly identical set. The USCF set is a dollar cheaper, but chess.com gives a free gift. Probably a keychain or something. The difference probably comes down to shipping.
Thanks guys! Not sure which one I'll choose yet but these are exactly what I"m looking for. Thanks again!
I just ordered the very cheapest tournament sets from USCF for my chess program at school.
They are terrible! Very cheaply made. A king fell over on the table and the cross broke off. I had bought a cheap set from USCF a few years ago and was happy. I looked up my receipt. It was a more expensive set, $20, at the time. Beware of the cheapest sets.
I always recommend to get triple-weighted chess sets even for the generic plastic sets with the Staunton design as shown in post#2.
These sets would feel better both in the standard time controls and in blitz games when the pieces tend to fall in the last few seconds.
Furthermore, it will only be a few dollars more than unweighted or single-weighted sets.
Your store-bought sets might look very pretty but can they fight? I suggest fashioning one out of mud and acorn shells like we did in the old days, and occasionally punching yourself in the face because we had it hard back then.
Look at how far chess sets have gone since the days of mud and acorn shell sets:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/the-us139995-chess-set?lc=1#page_top
Flashy is an understatement.
goldendog wrote:
Your store-bought sets might look very pretty but can they fight? I suggest fashioning one out of mud and acorn shells like we did in the old days, and occasionally punching yourself in the face because we had it hard back then.
You had mud?!!? We used to dream of having mud. We had to gnaw rocks into shape with our teeth and used old roadkill for for boards.
I got this pocket-sized one with little pegs for pieces. It's pretty sweet. There's a cloth that folds over it such that it appears to be a wallet until it's unwrapped.
Sep 21, 2010
0
#12
mirage wrote:
I got this pocket-sized one with little pegs for pieces. It's pretty sweet. There's a cloth that folds over it such that it appears to be a wallet until it's unwrapped.
picture? that sounds pretty neat.
i've also been looking for a little travel set. i'm starting to think i might just make one of my own.
Nice wooden set. As much as I prefer to analyze with wooden pieces, I always have a fear of losing a piece when I travel with them, much more to use them wherever.
EDIT: Here is a $12 plastic magnetic set that is weather-proof and can be washed. If you tear the board or lose a piece, you can buy a new one without remorse. The black style is the more common style nowadays.
http://www.chesshouse.com/10_Magnetic_Chess_Set_p/e117.htm
Are those the white or dark pieces? The red and blue are confusing.
trigs wrote: picture? that sounds pretty neat.
i've also been looking for a little travel set. i'm starting to think i might just make one of my own.
Not the greatest picture but this is what it looks like here:
Sep 21, 2010
0
#18
chessroboto wrote:
Are those the white or dark pieces? The red and blue are confusing.
those are white. the black are all gargamels.
Sep 21, 2010
0
#19
mirage wrote:
trigs wrote: picture? that sounds pretty neat.
i've also been looking for a little travel set. i'm starting to think i might just make one of my own.
Not the greatest picture but this is what it looks like here:
heh cute. thanks mirage.
Anyone have any recommendations for a slightly cheap but sturdy chess set? Anywhere from $15-$30 I guess. I need it for club practices and tournaments, I seriously don't want to show up with my 12x12 board and mini chess pieces no matter how much I like it. Sturdy but not flashy, please?