| In this article, I want to give you some | | | | means cheap in quality and appearance. It is |
| suggestions on buying chess sets; after all if this is | | | | possible to get a good product cheaply |
| your first time, perhaps you need some help; I | | | | occasionally, but it is infrequent. |
| know I did! Knowing what to look for as well as | | | | Always remember that a chess set is usually |
| where to look for it is important. You want the | | | | passed down the family line - becomes an |
| right chess set at the right price for you. It could | | | | heirloom and has value. It nearly always pays |
| be that you are looking for a gift. Whatever the | | | | (literally) to pay a little more for quality in the long |
| reason this article will I hope be of some help. | | | | run. You want your set to give you pleasure and |
| A) First lesson: you must match your board and | | | | longevity so it's worth it, isn't it? |
| pieces. | | | | You also notice the difference between playing |
| If you've ever had an old car and had to put on | | | | with a cheap inferior set to playing with a quality |
| spares from another vehicle, it rarely if ever looks | | | | one. Admittedly it may be purely psychological but |
| good. You know what I mean? It's like wearing | | | | nevertheless, one seems to play better with a |
| colours that clash, yuck! | | | | good set. It's rather like driving a vehicle in a |
| The point I'm making is that you need to match | | | | slightly lower class than your own; it just feels |
| your board with your pieces. It's important to use | | | | different even if it serves its purpose of getting |
| the same or similar material where possible, | | | | you from A to B. |
| because if for example you choose to use | | | | C) The third lesson: know what you are looking |
| different kinds of woods-say Pine with mahogany | | | | for. |
| the effect will look decidedly odd. It's all to do with | | | | If you don't know where you're going you'll never |
| aesthetics. By the same token, you need to look | | | | get there! Lesson number three is, prior to going |
| at size as well. You don't want to put large pieces | | | | searching for your dream set, know precisely |
| on a small board or vice versa do you? | | | | what it is that you want. There is for example |
| Obviously not. | | | | the matter of size; will it fit in the home you have |
| When your pieces and board harmonise, the | | | | for it, sitting on your dining table or coffee table, |
| effect is pleasing and enjoyable, and come to | | | | or perhaps on a shelf or ledge? Look at not only |
| think of it, this adds value to your set. It is not | | | | size but also suitability. Does it match or does it |
| hard to purchase a board that is accompanied by | | | | clash? It may not matter much to you but how |
| a set made especially for it, unless you are looking | | | | about your partner? Will he or she be happy |
| into purchasing antiques. | | | | about it? |
| B) Second lesson: don't bust the bank. | | | | Also consider the amount of use you will subject |
| Only buy what you can afford. Don't over-stretch | | | | your chess set to. Will you play regularly or |
| your budget. Most people look for the cheapest, | | | | occasionally? The more often you play the more |
| overlooking the fact that cheap in price usually | | | | durable your set needs to be. |