From the company House of Staunton. The model I bought was Collector Style (plastic). Truly, if you want a durable set of plastic chessmen that will last you forever, this is the company to buy them from.
The Bs are the best design I've ever seen - really beautiful. The Ns are something to see as well. They also throw in an extra set of Qs, by the way (I'm not sure if they do that with all their sets though).
http://www.houseofstaunton.com/Plastic_Collector.html
Btw, I bought them from ebay at prices significantly lower than their regular prices found on their site.
Originally posted by Jesse CusterNoice.
From the company House of Staunton. The model I bought was Collector Style (plastic). Truly, if you want a durable set of plastic chessmen that will last you forever, this is the company to buy them from.
The Bs are the best design I've ever seen - really beautiful. The Ns are something to see as well. They also throw in an extra set of Qs, by the wa ...[text shortened]... ht them from ebay at prices significantly lower than their regular prices found on their site.
Just in case anyone wants to know. The exact set I bought (forgot that they offer different sizes) was the black & ivory coloured, 3.75" K set.
If I was one of those people that didn't mind alternate colours, I'd get a red & ivory set...
One further comment - check out the set's weight. It's *heavy*. The pieces can't be knocked over accidentally (the B, the most top-heavy of the bunch, has to be leaned to ~25-30 degrees from the horizontal before it falls over).
Note that this is also a negative if you expect to be lugging this around wherever you go.
Originally posted by Jesse CusterWho the hell would lug that around anywhere!?
Just in case anyone wants to know. The exact set I bought (forgot that they offer different sizes) was the black & ivory coloured, 3.75" K set.
If I was one of those people that didn't mind alternate colours, I'd get a red & ivory set...
One further comment - check out the set's weight. It's *heavy*. The pieces can't be knocked over accidentally ( ...[text shortened]... Note that this is also a negative if you expect to be lugging this around wherever you go.
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Originally posted by cmsMasterNice pieces want to be played with. 🙂
Who the hell would lug that around anywhere!?
I brought the set to work once. I expect to do it again too. But it's definitely not for someone with only one set of pieces.
Oh and it also comes with a sack designed to hold them so it's not like they'd be bouncing around inside your briefcase or anything. 😉
Originally posted by Mad RookI was serious, it just seems crazy to bring a set that nice somewhere some dopey stranger could break something on it.
I'm not sure if you were joking, but I guess that would be me. I have a similar set that I take to all of my otb games. I love playing with the set. 🙂
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Originally posted by cmsMasterSo far, all of my opponents have known how to move the pieces. 😉
I was serious, it just seems crazy to bring a set that nice somewhere some dopey stranger could break something on it.
Oh, I just thought I'd add the fact that most of my opponents are adults, and the few children I've played have been very well behaved.
Geez, one more edit - Most of my games are slow time controls. I don't think I'd use this set with fast time controls, say 15 min or less.
Originally posted by cmsMasterI'd never bring a set of wooden pieces anywhere but I'm confident with these pieces. They really feel durable.
I was serious, it just seems crazy to bring a set that nice somewhere some dopey stranger could break something on it.
That's why I bought them in the first place: Low maintenance, high durability, and high playability (3 minutes blitz games at work run better with pieces that don't go flying across the room with brush of your pinky).
One of these days I'll buy a set that's luxurious too. After I buy my own place maybe. 🙂
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Originally posted by Jesse CusterI would be a little leery of using the HOS set for 5 minute or under chess. The plastic IS a hard plastic, so giantrobot may have something there. If you do use this set for fast chess, be prepared for at least the possibility of breakage if things get too wild. I'd be more comfortable using the 3-5/8" Ultimate set (link below). It's not as nice looking, but the set is made of a softer plastic. It's stubby, easy to grab, almost as heavy, and darn near unbreakable. Just my two cents worth. Regardless of which set you use, have fun and enjoy!
I'd never bring a set of wooden pieces anywhere but I'm confident with these pieces. They really feel durable.
That's why I bought them in the first place: Low maintenance, high durability, and high playability (3 minutes blitz games at work run better with pieces that don't go flying across the room with brush of your pinky).
One of these days I'll buy a set that's luxurious too. After I buy my own place maybe. 🙂
http://www.chesshouse.com/Ultimate_Set_weighted_p/e119.htm
Sorry, I just saw your previous post. No, I'm not worried about wear and tear, but breakage. Someone grabs a piece, starts to move it, it slips out of his hand and falls to the table or floor, and possibly gets chipped or broken. Hint - Just tap the plastic and listen to how hard and brittle the plastic sounds.
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Originally posted by Jesse CusterI was looking through the HOS site and I think the Zagreb '59 set looks awesome, and it's very reasonably priced too...
From the company House of Staunton. The model I bought was Collector Style (plastic). Truly, if you want a durable set of plastic chessmen that will last you forever, this is the company to buy them from.
The Bs are the best design I've ever seen - really beautiful. The Ns are something to see as well. They also throw in an extra set of Qs, by the wa ht them from ebay at prices significantly lower than their regular prices found on their site.
http://www.houseofstaunton.com/HOS/Zagreb2Vin.html
Though you're right about your bishops - those are the best looking bishops I've seen...
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Originally posted by cmsMasterThe Zagreb set would be great imo if not for two things. 1. I've never cared much for the opposite colored finials on the B, Q, and K. For me, it's just too distracting. (Just a matter of personal taste.) 2. You have to look very closely at the nearest white knight in the photo to notice that the frontal portion of the knight (forehead, etc) is flat, not rounded, as you'd expect. I dont really care for the knights' flattened frontal area. (Again, maybe just a personal taste issue.)
I was looking through the HOS site and I think the Zagreb '59 set looks awesome, and it's very reasonably priced too...
http://www.houseofstaunton.com/HOS/Zagreb2Vin.html
Other than those two minor complaints, I agree, it's a beautiful design.