I think the knights and rooks in the CB Latvian are a somewhat exaggerated. But perhaps once I handle the set I won't feel that way anymore.
I like the borderless designs too. Especially the CB black anigre. Magnificent but too pricey at this moment for me.
I have 3 sets including my 3.75" triple weighted tournament set. my most expensive set would be my 13" oak book style board with 2" Mark of Westminster pieces...about$$ 130
They say "Most of Wooden Chessmen that appear on various online selling websites or stores, in the whole World, have their origin in Amritsar, India. [...]
Dang it! I've been there a couple of years back and had no idea. I don't remember seeing any being sold but then again I spent only one day there and didn't go shopping. If this is true then the sets are probably insanely cheap there ('cause everything is).
As for sets, I only have a regular club weighted plastic set that I can't remember how much it cost. Probably some $10?
My father has a beautiful stone set he bought many decades ago, again no clue for how much. But I don't like playing with it. My dad used it for playing correspondence chess. It's impossible to play with a clock because the pieces are somewhat fragile. When I was a child I broke a queen or king (can't remember) just from tumbling it over, thankfully it could be glued back together.
Oh, I also have a travel magnetic folding set bought on Amazon for some $10. I bought it in a pinch (wanted to play with a friend on a trip and neither of us had a set) and only like it to play with people who don't play chess, as it's also not good enough to play with a clock.
(I deleted the previous post because I botched the quote badly and didn't know how to fix it 
)
I had no chess sets just 8 months ago, now I own ... let's see... 9.
They aren't expensive sets though, all < $40.
First was a glass set that I bought (thought it would look nice enough keeping it out, I.e. don't have to pack it after play). It is my most expensive set and the least liked. Total waste of money because it is hard to distinguish the colors/pieces.
Next was a set from a chain toy store; I just needed a playable set to replace the glass set. This is also my cheapest set. It worked well enough; 2.25" king, extremely light (hollow plastic pieces) so pieces gets knocked over easily.
After getting tired of piece toppling over under even the slightest wind or movement, I bought a weighted tournament plastic set.
Set #4 was a gift. A tiny (8") wooden travel set that, surprisingly, was very playable.
Set #5 was another weighted tournament set, as spare parts for the first (we thought we had lost a pawn, but later found it).
Set #6 was another gift. A 12" plastic travel set.
Sets #7, 8, and 9 were weighted tournament sets recently bought for my DCBBDGTEB (dirt-cheap-but-better-DGT-e-board) project.
I have a few sets that I don't know much about. They are the Meandros chess sets. Very heavy, some have shorter pieces, some taller. Not sure what they are made of but they are my favourite to use. Anyone know any more about these?
I have a few sets that I don't know much about. They are the Meandros chess sets. Very heavy, some have shorter pieces, some taller. Not sure what they are made of but they are my favourite to use. Anyone know any more about these?
I can’t help you. However, if you post a few pictures in the books and equipment section, there quite a few experts that might weigh in. Good luck.
spending a lot of time playing chess online, real chess boards make me doubt my decisions
I have added these four things this year to my collection from chess house & chessbazaar. I prefer CB for the price and quality workmanship.
The 1950s Soviet (Russian) Latvian Reproduced Chess Set. I was so surprised as they have hit a home run with this set. Excellent workmanship.
https://www.chessbazaar.com/the-1950s-soviet-russian-latvian-reproduced-chess-set-in-ebonized-boxwood-antiqued-boxwood-4-1-king.html?___SID=U
The St. Petersburg Luxury Artisan Series Chess Set. But this is for people who are after something fancy. Pieces look very nice indeed.
https://www.chessbazaar.com/the-st-petersburg-luxury-artisan-series-chess-set-with-storage-box-in-bud-rose-box-wood-4-2-king.html
Reproduced 1930s-70s Hastings Chess Congress Set. Excellent replica. Apparently, this is out of stock now.
https://www.chessbazaar.com/reproduced-1930s-70s-hastings-chess-congress-set-in-ebony-boxwood-4-king.html?___SID=U
Stack Chessboard. I'm very much a fan of the borderless boards
https://www.chesshouse.com/products/the-stack-chessboard