Buying a Chess Set

pigthehog

How much are chess sets these days and where can one buy them!?
Is there anything you should look for when buying a chess set - I'm not a chess player!
I'm looking to buy a nice chess set as a present, for up to 100euro or so. I need it by Saturday!
Anywhere in Dublin will do, can't buy online as it won't be here on time.
Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

Abdiel

You could try OK sports in rathmines:

http://www.oksports.ie/index.php?cName=chess - they have a couple in the €100 price range. Alternatively try some of those craft type shops around town, have seen some there but not sure about prices.

Pherekydes

There's a place in Liffey Valley. Does a lot of nice arty, fancy chess sets.

Located in the centre of Liffey Valley, Special Days is a unique gift store. Our primary departments include Board Games, Chess, Gadgets, Greeting Cards, Candles, and Housewares. We also stock Ireland's largest and best selection of gaming supplies including poker chips (5gm, 9gm, 11.5gm + clay chips), card shoes, shufflers and poker tables.

pigthehog

Thanks for the info, I'll check out those places
Is there a standard for makes a good chess set, or any rules when buying one?!

Pherekydes

If you're buying for tournament play, the pieces must be a certain size, and unless agreed upon by both players, a specific design.

But if you're buying as a gift, then use your own judgement. You'll see some very nice sets in either of the shops mentioned.

For £65 in the London Chess Centre:



IMHO, wooden sets are the nicest.

mcaul

If I had seen the post earlier, I could have confirmed Specialdays could deliver by the Saturday. (90% of orders before 12 noon are delivered next working day)

All chess ets are now on the website
http://www.specialdays.ie/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=8&cat=Chess+%26+Backgammon

Doc Farrell

hey McCaul,

what are you doing hanging round these parts? hope Christmas goes well for you.

I have three identical sets from McCauls shop that have heavy roll up mats and nice size magnetic plastic pieces. I bring a set everywhere I go, one stinks of booze!

OK sports, up an alley in Rathmines, sell beautiful Staunton pieces if you're serious about your purchase.

otherwise Special Days is fun.

Orion

For a different type of set try http://www.princeaugust.ie/chess/index.html. You can buy premade one. Or you can buy moulds and make your own which is what I do. I've made 5 different types of sets now. I'm currently making the Fantasy set.

Ooo - just saw (as a result of this thread) that they have a Ramsis vs Sennacherib set now - I'll be buying those moulds next

Doc Farrell

That is one of the nerdiest yet coolest posts that I have ever seen. I'd love to go along to one of those fairs that sells these kind of boards! When is the next one on maestro?

(you're not the retired villain in Ronin btw?) wonderful actor.

Paulino Ballino

I got the following from Germany... http://www.chesssets-europe.com/chess_sets/index.phtml?ionasFrameCheckName=frmInhalt&ionasFrameCheckUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chesssets-europe.com%2Fhaupt%2Fchess_sets%2Foutdoor_chess%2Fblind%2Fuebersicht%2Findex.phtml%3Freferrer%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.ie%252Fsearch%253Fhl%253Den%2526sa%253DX%2526oi%253Dspell%2526resnum%253D0%2526ct%253Dresult%2526cd%253D1%2526q%253Dornamental%252Bpractical%252Bchessboard%2526spell%253D1 . Better than the sets I've seen in shops here in Ireland.

June Maria

Hi Abdiel delighted with your recommendation for OK Sports in Rathmines. I had been searching everywhere for a really good quality chess set. I was reluctant to buy off the internet because you just don't know what your buying! Great to actually feel the weight of the pieces and see the detail of the carving before you buy. I managed to get an absolutely beautiful set and board at a great price. As for the service and friendliness of Thomas O'Keeffe and his wife it was second to none -, absolutely delightful people to deal with - they certainly havent forgotten how to treat their customers. Although it was a chess set I wanted I was surprised to see how many different games were in stock - something for everyone here! I can't recommend this shop highly enough and I will definately be back. Thanks again for the recommendation.

jackiewackie85

Hey Abdiel,

I was looking for a chess set everywhere in Dublin until I saw your post. The owners of OK Sports in Rathmines were very nice and patient, I arrived just before closing time and they let me stay to find the perfect set, which I found
What I liked most about this shop is the variety of the games and especially the quality.
Thanks again!