03 Aug 08
Originally posted by sporadicMetal is bad because brass/silver is hard to distinguish, especially if the lighting isn't good. Glass is awful because they're just confusing, no matter what you do with them . Abstract and novelty are unplayable. All of these sets are best used for decoration.
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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!
Stick with Staunton in Ivory or Wood if you want something special, just make sure they are quadruple+ weighted, and if you want a good tournament set, stick with the heaviest PLASTIC set you can get and a roll-up board, bringing a wood folding board and pieces to a tournament is n00Bish. you'll look like a jerk when you see people with their standard tourney sets.
03 Aug 08
Originally posted by FabianFnasEuropeans are fortunate in that regard. In the USA, most tournaments don't supply the chess equipment. The players have to bring their own board, pieces, and clock.
I play tournaments with whatever chess set they provide. They are usually good enough for tournament play.
03 Aug 08
Originally posted by KatastroofIt can get interesting at times, but usually there aren't many disagreements. USCF rules state that Black has the choice of equipment, as long as the equipment is considered "standard" by USCF definitions. In general, digital clocks take precedence over analog clocks. (But in my last tournament, although I had the chance to use my digital clock, I agreed to use my opponent's analog clock simply for nostalgic reasons. 🙂)
I always wondered about this.If all players show up with a board and pieces then how many arguments arise about whose board will be used?
Provides an extra excuse too: "You lost to that patzer??" "Yeah,but his board cramped my style" 🙄
Sometimes there are disagreements over colors. (The USCF rules are a little vague on colors and subject to interpretation.) I don't like using an opponent's board with blue or black squares (too hard on my eyes). If that happens, I'll make my stand and insist on using my standard green and white rollup board. A lot of scholastic players use blue and white boards, but I've never understood why. (There's no understanding kids, anyway.)
And sometimes someone will pull out a rollup board that's either been rolled up too tightly, or even worse, wadded up. It's funny to watch him try in vain to smooth out the wrinkles in the board, which resembles the rolling hills of West Virginia.
And I must disagree with Sam The Sham - Any time my opponent has brought a wooden board and set, I'll offer to play on that, even if I'm Black. I love playing on wood sets.
And often, it's just a matter of convenience (or is it laziness?). If my opponent already has his set out from a previous round, I'll play on his set even if I'm Black and my equipment is a little better.
03 Aug 08
Originally posted by Sam The Sham>I agree. The standard Staunton design is the only type of set that is reasonable to play a game with, which is why they are the only ones used in tournaments. I also agree: do not bring a wood board to a tournament with you. If wood boards are provided, fine, but if you bring your own, you'll look arrogant and foolish. The same reasoning applies to bringing your own wood set. Use a weighted plastic set.
Metal is bad because brass/silver is hard to distinguish, especially if the lighting isn't good. Glass is awful because they're just confusing, no matter what you do with them . Abstract and novelty are unplayable. All of these sets are best used for decoration.
Stick with Staunton in Ivory or Wood if you want something special, just make sure they a ...[text shortened]... ent is n00Bish. you'll look like a jerk when you see people with their standard tourney sets.
>A good wood set & board are great, but they belong at home.
03 Aug 08
Originally posted by Mad RookWhat about the eastern countries? And Australia? And other corners of the world?
Europeans are fortunate in that regard. In the USA, most tournaments don't supply the chess equipment. The players have to bring their own board, pieces, and clock.
Is this only a local US rule, that everyone have to bring their own chess set?
When Fisher went to Reykjavik, did he bring his chess set with him too? And was Spasskij to chose during his black games?