Yes. You can use a wooden board and set at a chess tournament. The key is to make sure that the dimensions of the board and pieces are correct and that the contrast is also appropriate.
The player with the black pieces gets his choice of equipment and what side the clock is on.
I hope this helps.
Wooden sets are commonplace at tournaments. Definitely not a faux pas.
With a relatively new wooden set (assuming standard size) there should be no problem with the contrast of the colors of the pieces. I used to play casual chess games with a guy whose favorite set had wooden pieces that were very old and dirty, to the point that the "white" pieces were brown, making them difficult to distinguish from the slightly darker brown "black" pieces. No one should have to put up with that in a tournament.
@TurboFish... If you were to enter a Steeple Chase, would that be a case of 'jumping the shark'?
@TurboFish... If you were to enter a Steeple Chase, would that be a case of 'jumping the shark'?
I'm having trouble understanding the context of your question. Steeplechase is a horse race involving hurdles. "Jumping the Shark" (what the Fonz did to try to boost TV ratings) is a silly dramatic act meant to increase interest. Please explain the connection to my anecdote.
@TurboFish... If you were to enter a Steeple Chase, would that be a case of 'jumping the shark'?
I'm having trouble understanding the context of your question. Steeplechase is a horse race involving hurdles. "Jumping the Shark" (what the Fonz did to try to boost TV ratings) is a silly dramatic act meant to increase interest. Please explain the connection to my anecdote.
Your shark has horse's legs. If you were to ride it in a steeple chase...
LOL, my mind is much too linear! I see what you mean now. I had forgotten about my crazy avatar. I think I would win the race -- the other horses will stay out of my way.
Most people use plastic sets at tournaments because they are cheap and standard.
But some play wood sets, if they are willing to risk damage, and the pieces are standard size and design in reasonable colors. That's what I see at the Mechanics Institute anyway.
From what I gather, wood sets in the German Knight style are supplied at many European tournaments.
Short answer: Yes, you may use a wooden set as long as it's regulation size, shape and colors.
Thank you all for your responses. I've decided to go with a wooden set. However, I was checking the FIDE rules, and I came across this: "The pieces should not be shiny and should be pleasing to the eye." The pieces that I wish to use are from this: http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Staunton-Chess-Golden-Rosewood/dp/B00ADUI2XY . These have a sort of glossy look to them, unfortunately. Is it appropriate to use them in a tournament? It should be noted that the board itself I bought is not glossy at all.
Here's another picture of them.
caleb: I'm sympathetic and I love a nice wood set, but if I were your opponent I would object.
Not for the glossiness, but for that rococo cross-hatched dark trim on all the pieces, which I find distracting.
Sorry.
Okay, thanks for the input. That's understandable. I think I'm leaning more toward just buying a new set altogether.
What about these pieces? Would these fly in a tournament? http://www.amazon.com/House-Chess-Rosewood-Staunton-Weighted/dp/B00WKVN2UC/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1437336480&sr=8-12&keywords=wood+chess+pieces
Caleb, my friend. Are you having me on?
Please. Just get a nice vanilla Staunton set with a boring knight.
How about this?
You might prefer a rosewood version. I'm sure those are around also.
caleb: I'm sympathetic and I love a nice wood set, but if I were your opponent I would object.
Not for the glossiness, but for that rococo cross-hatched dark trim on all the pieces, which I find distracting.
Sorry.
yes , you can use them even if he finds them distracting or anything else , its your choice.
Just don't bring a soft, mushy rubber one.
Just don't bring a soft, mushy rubber one.
Or one where all the pieces are rubber ducks: http://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Ducks-Duck-Chess-Game/dp/B006QMHC0C
I'm playing in my first tournament this weekend, and I'm currently looking to buy a tournament chess set. A couple years ago I bought a nice wooden set (10cm king, 4cm diameter, triple weighted), so I was thinking of using the wooden pieces and then buying a wooden board to go along with it. But, is using a wooden set at amateurish tournaments considered a faux pas? Or does everybody just use the vinyl/plastic sets?