Product Review

This tournament-size chess set, which includes a chess board and chessmen only, really is the best value, and it meets the World Chess Federation's (FIDE) height, weight, and proportions standards for tournament play. The low price makes it ideal for chess clubs, classrooms, and schools that are making chess a part of the curriculum. Staunton style chess pieces in black and cream plastic are the standard in tournament chess, and are a perfect combination of beauty, durability, and low price. Each set of chessmen is made of the best quality plastic and displays exquisite design and workmanship. Set includes 34 chessmen (two extra queens, one of each color). The king is tournament sized at 3.75 inches tall. The pieces are unweighted but are 90% filled with plastic with a collective weight of approximately 1 lb. which gives them stability than hollow pieces. Green felted bottoms help them glide across the board with ease, and each set of chessmen comes packaged in a heavy zip lock bag.

The tournament-size chess mat measures 19.75 inches with 2.25 inch squares. The vinyl roll-up board is black and buff and includes algebraic notation for game analysis. We recommend the board remain flat or rolled-up when not in use to prevent creases that can occur when folded. The more it is used, the better it will lie flat during play. If the edges curl up, just lie it flat in the opposite direction to get it flat. The board can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.