Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Social Life, Food & Drink, Travel › Chess set gift
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Chess set gift

post #1 of 14
2/26/10 at 1:18pm
Thread Starter 
Any recommendations for a nice wood chess set to give as a gift to my son...he is 7. I am looking for something that either folds or has a drawer for the pieces...but very well constructed so that he can use it for many years to come.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 14
2/26/10 at 7:45pm
I don't have a specific recommendation, but Chess House would be my first place to look.

For what it is worth, getting a tournament set is something like $10. They have big weighty pieces, the roll up board, and are generally wonderful to play with.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 14
2/26/10 at 7:47pm
Eric, here is what my son's chess coach says - don't get anything fancy, get simple and heavy. leave the fancy sets (star wars, knights, penguins) until he is much older and doens't paly very much. If you want specifics, when I get home this weekend I can get details. by the way, I will be at a tournement between now and when I am in Japan, I can pick you up what we have if you want and can wait a month
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 14
2/26/10 at 10:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by james_timothy View Post

For what it is worth, getting a tournament set is something like $10. They have big weighty pieces, the roll up board, and are generally wonderful to play with.

This a great suggestion! Thanks!


Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter View Post
Eric, here is what my son's chess coach says - don't get anything fancy, get simple and heavy. leave the fancy sets (star wars, knights, penguins) until he is much older and doens't paly very much. If you want specifics, when I get home this weekend I can get details. by the way, I will be at a tournement between now and when I am in Japan, I can pick you up what we have if you want and can wait a month

That could work. Drop me a line a when you get back. I just may be able to pick something up here myself but would love to know what you have. My kid is just starting to learn now but seems to enjoy it and I want to encourage him.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 14
2/27/10 at 12:15am
I fully agree. When I play tournament, all the 2100-2500 in my school play exclusively with these rollable green and white boards. Basic plastic pieces. I have an expensive marble lord of the rings set at home that I rarely touch.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 14
2/27/10 at 4:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter View Post
Eric, here is what my son's chess coach says - don't get anything fancy, get simple and heavy. leave the fancy sets (star wars, knights, penguins) until he is much older and doens't paly very much. If you want specifics, when I get home this weekend I can get details. by the way, I will be at a tournement between now and when I am in Japan, I can pick you up what we have if you want and can wait a month

I don't see why fancy has to equal a themed set. There's nothing wrong with getting a high-quality board with matching quality pieces. I played a lot of chess as a kid and I agree that heavy pieces are nice. I'd also want the pieces to be their traditional shapes, but that doesn't preclude you from getting something exceptionally nice. Just don't get anything that distracts from the focus required by the game. I haven't played in ages, but when I used sets that varied from the traditional shapes, I didn't "see" things as well. Chess sets don't exactly get abused or thrown around, so I don't see a reason not to get something special, if you feel so inclined.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 14
3/1/10 at 11:24pm
I would hold off on the themed chess set. I started playing chess when I was 5 years old, and played competitively until I got distracted by other things back in college and stopped playing.

I recommend getting him a roll-up board with tube and the regular tournament-quality pieces. Something like this: http://www.chesshouse.com/chess_combos_s/64.htm

Best of luck to your son
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 14
3/2/10 at 12:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
I don't see why fancy has to equal a themed set. There's nothing wrong with getting a high-quality board with matching quality pieces. I played a lot of chess as a kid and I agree that heavy pieces are nice. I'd also want the pieces to be their traditional shapes, but that doesn't preclude you from getting something exceptionally nice. Just don't get anything that distracts from the focus required by the game. I haven't played in ages, but when I used sets that varied from the traditional shapes, I didn't "see" things as well. Chess sets don't exactly get abused or thrown around, so I don't see a reason not to get something special, if you feel so inclined.

Eric and I have young sons who are learning to play. I think that fancy sets are very cool, but it was suggested that they should be avoided during the "formative" years. I am not suggesting that for everyone, but for 7-10 year old boys.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 14
3/2/10 at 5:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter View Post
Eric and I have young sons who are learning to play. I think that fancy sets are very cool, but it was suggested that they should be avoided during the "formative" years. I am not suggesting that for everyone, but for 7-10 year old boys.
Yep...I am thinking now to get one of the tournament sets, as posted above, as well as a magnetic set that we could bring along on trips or picnics or whatnot...that is nice enough that it will last for a long time. Something like one of these: http://www.chesshouse.com/Large_16_F.../cs1954-lc.htm http://www.chesshouse.com/10_Magneti...r_p/we2610.htm http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/..._fitted_insert
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 14
3/2/10 at 9:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alter View Post
Yep...I am thinking now to get one of the tournament sets, as posted above, as well as a magnetic set that we could bring along on trips or picnics or whatnot...that is nice enough that it will last for a long time.

Something like one of these:

http://www.chesshouse.com/Large_16_F.../cs1954-lc.htm

http://www.chesshouse.com/10_Magneti...r_p/we2610.htm

http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/..._fitted_insert

What about a tablet PC + Chessmaster instead of a magnetic set? He can play against others or against a really good computer opponent.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 14
3/2/10 at 9:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
What about a tablet PC + Chessmaster instead of a magnetic set? He can play against others or against a really good computer opponent.

He's 7. If I give him a tablet PC, he will find the Nintendo website and start playing Pokemon games. I definitely want a real board. Besides, the idea of the magnetic board is something we can take on trips so we can play together...you know, father & son bonding time.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 14
3/2/10 at 9:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alter View Post
He's 7. If I give him a tablet PC, he will find the Nintendo website and start playing Pokemon games. I definitely want a real board. Besides, the idea of the magnetic board is something we can take on trips so we can play together...you know, father & son bonding time.

That's why I said a tablet and not a laptop. You can play against each other and both see the board. Or, he could play by himself. It wasn't a serious suggestion though since it would be way more expensive than a simple magnetic board. I only thought about it since I used to have an electronic set that I could play by myself or against others. That seems like ancient tech now though.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 14
3/2/10 at 10:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
That's why I said a tablet and not a laptop. You can play against each other and both see the board. Or, he could play by himself. It wasn't a serious suggestion though since it would be way more expensive than a simple magnetic board. I only thought about it since I used to have an electronic set that I could play by myself or against others. That seems like ancient tech now though.

That makes sense. I can see something like that being good for him to practice with....will keep it in mind for later. Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 14
3/2/10 at 11:10am
This is the magnetic set we have, the Drueke 8" travel set. Its claim to fame is that you can box up a game in progress for later. My son and I curl up on the bed to play some nights.

It is small enough to throw in a big coat pocket. The downside is that the bishops really do look like slightly fat pawns.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Social Life, Food & Drink, Travel › Chess set gift