UK Over-the-Board Chess - Which Set and Board?

I want to buy a chess set and board that will help prepare me for OTB chess in the UK. I am especially keen to get a set that is typically used in weekend tournaments in the UK.

Having looked at the photos of such tournaments, I think I need one of those nasty plastic sets with a vinyl roll-up board. What I can't tell is whether these are weighted, and what size they are. Also, what colours are the boards usually? Green and White or are there other colours?

I found this set:

https://chess.co.uk/collections/plastic-sets-boards/products/plastic-weighted-gambit-chess-set-deluxe-silicone-mat-and-drawstring-bag

Is this the sort of set that is used? It says it's tournament sized.

Impress your competition - show up with mousepad instead of vinyl or (horrible!) silicone!

In the US I believe you usually bring your own sets to tournaments, right?

In the UK the sets are provided. And they're often nasty.

I'm a chess set snob - I have lots of nice sets. So I want to try to get used to playing with a cheap and nasty set - but I want it to be the correct cheap and nasty set.

@IpswichMatt The set that you have linked seems appropriate for tournament use. A local chess center in which I spend a lot of time has the exact same sets, vinyl boards (dark forest green and gray [cream?] squares) and lightly weighted pieces. They are heavily used and, unfortunately, rarely cleaned. Eeeeeek (that's nasty)!

I agree with other users, that different colors are often pleasant to look at as a break from the norm. I would suggest not veering too far off from traditional colors as your [tournament] opponent might complain, and thus not want to use your set. Agreed with @GrandPatzerDave that the silicone boards are not a fun playing experience if you are a "slider." That, and they seem to attract dirt and hair. (When concentrating on a position I am often distracted by stains and debris.) The mousepads are nice, just they do not rotate easily if you play a series of games with the same opponent.

Here is the issue if you do not buy a quality (weighted) set:

• rattling weights if the pieces routinely are dropped or abused
• unweighted: sloppy players constantly tip them or in time scrambles easily knock over
• they end up looking low quality if other sets around are of higher quality/design/size

I do have a set of these in my car for travel and do not mind if I were to lose them. This is the plus.

My favorite plastic set are the Ultimates V3, which are readily available on Amazon for $50 USD. Next to them the plastic Staunton pieces, like the ones you linked, look like the smaller, inferior cousins. People immediately notice the robust pieces and bases if they are accustomed to the other ones. (I also have the V2 "butters" but they are harder to come by, below: )

As you put it, your discerning taste (snobbery, he he ) might not enjoy the "cheap and nasty."

If you have more questions, DM me...

Well being a chess snob IpswichMatt , Why not get the https://chessantiques.com/product/jaques-tuff-nuff-staunton-chessmen/

Thanks @lighthouse and @PWalker1.

Just to be clear - I'm not looking to buy a good quality plastic set - or even a set that I like. In the UK, you don't bring your own sets to tournaments or club nights, you have to use what is provided.

So I'm looking to buy the type of set which will be provided, so that I can get used to the colours and feel from home - hopefully then the tournaments will be less of a shock to my delicate senses.

This is 2025 England, right? So show up with your own set, start yelling and screaming gibberish and that you're "offended", and you can then use any set you want.

or like in america 2025, walk around rambling incoherently about Brandon and tariffs and everyone will let you use whatever you want because you now have crazy influence with a partisan conservative judiciary

Good plan, but I think I'll need to dye my hair blue in order to carry that off.