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| Chess Sets, Chess Sets, Everywhere A Chess Set Buying Guide for Beginners by Stephen Arnold, Owner |
There are thousands of web sites out there selling hundreds of thousands of chess sets. With so many
chess sets to choose from how is one to decide? That being said, All the King’s Men has whipped up this
“How to Choose a Chess Set” article in the hope that it will shed a little light on the subject for you.
Let’s start with our definition of the words “chess set”. All the King’s Men has always defined a chess set
as a matching set of chessmen consisting of thirty-two pieces (sometimes thirty-four if the set has two
extra queens). For us, a chess set does NOT include a chessboard – that’s a completely separate item.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on.
Basically, two main options exist: 1) chess sets that come pre-packaged with a matching chessboard, or,
2) chess sets that do NOT come with a chessboard. In the later, you’ll have to buy a chessboard
separately if you happen to want or need a chessboard. Either way, you have a few other things to
consider.
Q.) How much do I want to spend on a chess set?
A.) The “price” of a chess set is such a dynamic topic that there’s really no right, or wrong, answer to that
question. Spend what you can afford...the rest of it can be put on your credit card. Seriously, while price is
always something to consider when buying a chess set it's NOT the best parameter to start with. Instead,
start by looking for a chess set that makes you happy…a chess set you really want. Spending a little extra
will pay off in the long run. Remember, you’ll probably be keeping the chess set you do buy for years and
years.
Q.) What type of chess set should I buy?
A.) That depends on your personal taste and whether or not you intend to display the chess set. All chess
sets can be displayed. That’s obvious. However, some chess sets, like themed chess sets, were made to
be displayed. If the idea of displaying a chess set as part of your home or office décor sounds a bit off the
wall to you than you may not want a themed (Civil War, Policeman, Firefighter, Cats vs. Dogs, etc.) chess
set. But don’t let that stop you from considering a themed chess set because you can always buy the
optional chess cabinet/chess board to store the themed chess set in…out of sight. Besides, while we
love our traditional Staunton chess sets here at All the King’s Men, we would be remiss if we didn’t say
that playing a traditional game of chess without traditional Staunton chessmen adds a whole new aspect
to the game of kings…fascination!
Q.) What size chess set should I buy?
A.) For our money, BIGGER is always better. Bigger chess sets are always more impressive. Always feel
better to the touch. Always better to look at…well, almost always. Again, consider where you intend to play
the game and let that be your primary guide. If you have the space though, buy the biggest chess set
available in whatever style you choose.
Q.) What size chessboard do I need for the chess set I intend to buy?
A.) Ninety-nine percent of all our chess sets have optional chessboards pictured with them. Thereby
taking out all the guesswork when trying to decide on a chessboard. However, you may want to buy a
different chessboard other than the one we matched up with the chess set of your choice. In that case, the
size of the chessboard you’ll need to match your chess set will be determined from the diameter of the
king’s base. Take the diameter and divide it by 78%. If need be, you can go a little bigger but we strongly
suggest not to go smaller. For example: a king with a 1.25” diameter base divided by 78% equals 1.60”.
Therefore, this chess set would require a chessboard that has squares of 1.60 or slightly larger. A board
with 1.75”squares would be perfect. Feel free to visit our chessboard gallery.
Well, while there are still other considerations we’re sure we haven’t covered, this information should at
least help get you headed in the right direction. Here at All the King’s Men, we do our best to provide you
with a virtual buying experience similar to one you might get in a chess set store with the exception of
touch. Unlike actual stores, our web site is our store. We understand online retail. We don't just give you a
thumbnail picture of our chess sets, item names and prices and expect you to be able to make your
decision based on just that! We provide multiple images of our chess sets capable of being enlarged
300%. We include detailed descriptions of each chess set's features and qualities and we constantly work
to make sure all the information you could possibly require is available to you. And when it’s not - we are
here to answer any questions you may have. If you have a question, don't be shy, give us a call.
chess sets to choose from how is one to decide? That being said, All the King’s Men has whipped up this
“How to Choose a Chess Set” article in the hope that it will shed a little light on the subject for you.
Let’s start with our definition of the words “chess set”. All the King’s Men has always defined a chess set
as a matching set of chessmen consisting of thirty-two pieces (sometimes thirty-four if the set has two
extra queens). For us, a chess set does NOT include a chessboard – that’s a completely separate item.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on.
Basically, two main options exist: 1) chess sets that come pre-packaged with a matching chessboard, or,
2) chess sets that do NOT come with a chessboard. In the later, you’ll have to buy a chessboard
separately if you happen to want or need a chessboard. Either way, you have a few other things to
consider.
Q.) How much do I want to spend on a chess set?
A.) The “price” of a chess set is such a dynamic topic that there’s really no right, or wrong, answer to that
question. Spend what you can afford...the rest of it can be put on your credit card. Seriously, while price is
always something to consider when buying a chess set it's NOT the best parameter to start with. Instead,
start by looking for a chess set that makes you happy…a chess set you really want. Spending a little extra
will pay off in the long run. Remember, you’ll probably be keeping the chess set you do buy for years and
years.
Q.) What type of chess set should I buy?
A.) That depends on your personal taste and whether or not you intend to display the chess set. All chess
sets can be displayed. That’s obvious. However, some chess sets, like themed chess sets, were made to
be displayed. If the idea of displaying a chess set as part of your home or office décor sounds a bit off the
wall to you than you may not want a themed (Civil War, Policeman, Firefighter, Cats vs. Dogs, etc.) chess
set. But don’t let that stop you from considering a themed chess set because you can always buy the
optional chess cabinet/chess board to store the themed chess set in…out of sight. Besides, while we
love our traditional Staunton chess sets here at All the King’s Men, we would be remiss if we didn’t say
that playing a traditional game of chess without traditional Staunton chessmen adds a whole new aspect
to the game of kings…fascination!
Q.) What size chess set should I buy?
A.) For our money, BIGGER is always better. Bigger chess sets are always more impressive. Always feel
better to the touch. Always better to look at…well, almost always. Again, consider where you intend to play
the game and let that be your primary guide. If you have the space though, buy the biggest chess set
available in whatever style you choose.
Q.) What size chessboard do I need for the chess set I intend to buy?
A.) Ninety-nine percent of all our chess sets have optional chessboards pictured with them. Thereby
taking out all the guesswork when trying to decide on a chessboard. However, you may want to buy a
different chessboard other than the one we matched up with the chess set of your choice. In that case, the
size of the chessboard you’ll need to match your chess set will be determined from the diameter of the
king’s base. Take the diameter and divide it by 78%. If need be, you can go a little bigger but we strongly
suggest not to go smaller. For example: a king with a 1.25” diameter base divided by 78% equals 1.60”.
Therefore, this chess set would require a chessboard that has squares of 1.60 or slightly larger. A board
with 1.75”squares would be perfect. Feel free to visit our chessboard gallery.
Well, while there are still other considerations we’re sure we haven’t covered, this information should at
least help get you headed in the right direction. Here at All the King’s Men, we do our best to provide you
with a virtual buying experience similar to one you might get in a chess set store with the exception of
touch. Unlike actual stores, our web site is our store. We understand online retail. We don't just give you a
thumbnail picture of our chess sets, item names and prices and expect you to be able to make your
decision based on just that! We provide multiple images of our chess sets capable of being enlarged
300%. We include detailed descriptions of each chess set's features and qualities and we constantly work
to make sure all the information you could possibly require is available to you. And when it’s not - we are
here to answer any questions you may have. If you have a question, don't be shy, give us a call.
Secure Online Shopping!
Questions? Call toll free: 877-265-6583. Mon - Sun, 9 AM - 9 PM EST
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| an Outstanding Products Group company 27 Marcia Court, Sicklerville, NJ 08081 Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved. Telephone: 856-740-0507 |
Chess Set Buyer's Guide
