Chess pieces - which do you prefer???

Greenpawn just mentioned getting his chess set out instead of using the analyse board feature and it got me thinking...

Which pieces do you prefer- wood, glass, ivory, metal??

Do you prefer traditional, abstract or novelty pieces???

I've got a nice traditional wooden set that i picked up whilst stationed in Bosnia- hand carved but not expensive.

I've had them around 5 years now!

wood or plastic are nice, but I have used glass - it is not the best material though, as it is at risk of being broken if you play a quick game.

Novelty pieces are a definate no - It annoys me sometimes when people think they are doing me a great favour by buying me a new chess set with wierd shaped pices from star wars or the simpsons, or some such. I find this sort of piece almost unusable.

I prefer wood, but the plastic ones are more solid...Still, I prefer wood...as I hate plastic

I prefer wood, but plastic is okay. But regardless, they must be heavily weighted. And I'll only use a traditional Staunton design.

Ah!This should be fun.I prefer the Isle of Lewis CHESSMEN!!

Feels like waiting for Santa Claus 😀

Originally posted by Katastroof
Ah!This should be fun.I prefer the Isle of Lewis CHESSMEN!!

Feels like waiting for Santa Claus 😀

Originally posted by greenpawn34
[b] THE LEWIS CHESSMEN ARE NOT CHESS PIECES
AND THEY DID NOT COME FROM THE ISLE OF LEWIS

http://textualities.net/writers/features-a-g/chandlerg05.php

It is one of the greatest hoax's in chess.

I prefer the plastic pieces and boards that they use in tournaments.

Here you will see a picture of where I study

http://www.chessedinburgh.co. ...[text shortened]... s sets - all staunton design.

I think most of the sets are also pictured on the above link.[/b]

My two personal favorites are the pro-line set from House of Staunton and the Grandmaster Ebony set that USCF used to sell.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
[b] THE LEWIS CHESSMEN ARE NOT CHESS PIECES
AND THEY DID NOT COME FROM THE ISLE OF LEWIS

http://textualities.net/writers/features-a-g/chandlerg05.php

It is one of the greatest hoax's in chess.

I prefer the plastic pieces and boards that they use in tournaments.

Here you will see a picture of where I study

http://www.chessedinburgh.co. ...[text shortened]... s sets - all staunton design.

I think most of the sets are also pictured on the above link.[/b]

Originally posted by Katastroof
I read your article a few days ago.Was linked in some thread here.Think you're right about it.But I knew you'd read this thread and I couldn't resist 😛

Originally posted by Mad Rook
But straighten up those books on your bookshelf!

wood, heavily weighted (ie: triple weighted), and must be staunton or something that looks similar. I like to recognize the pieces instead of moving some random chinese things around.

Classic wooden Staunton pieces are my favourite. Preferably 4" King and heavily weighted. Blood rosewood for the dark pieces are nice. As an aside, I don't play alot of games so I sometimes setup the position on my small wooden magnetic board to help with the analysis. Much easier on the eyes than the screen.

House of Staunton has some really nice stuff... if only I had a legitimate reason to splurge...

I've never played with a nice wood Staunton set. I think I might prefer the plastic weighted Staunton set though....reminds me of my school days when I first learned to play....getting to play with the "nice" sets!

I am kind of particular about the style of piece though. I prefer the queens with the "divets" along the crown as opposed to the beaded crown with little balls. I don't care fore the pawns and bishops that have, what seems to me, over inflated heads.

I wanted to get used to what I play with at my club, so I bought weighted plastic pieces & a large heavy duty PVC folding board for a very good value £15 inc p&p
http://www.chessdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Catalogue___Shop_Tournament_Boards_2.html#aFB225