Beginner Chess Sets: Which brand?

Just get something simple and portable, like this from Target: Tournament Chess Set

Holy fuck that's awesome

Instead of this, try the USCF store online. I would get the regulation vinyl board and a set of triple-weighted plastic pieces. Heavier pieces make a big difference.

Does Anna Matuozzo make chess sets?

+1 No serious player could study or would play much on a novelty set. A good tourny set with the roll-up vinyl board (green and white is my favorite) plus better weighted plastic pieces are all you ever need. Do not buy a wood set unless you are spending at least $500. Last I checked, they had harvested all the boxwood old enough to be hard enough for the one set of pieces. Kings and Queens will warp and stand crooked with most of the wood sets available (new) today. The best sets are going to be vintage. And they will be expensive.

I thought you were a big timer, shouldn't you be dressing up your minions in medieval costumes and having them move on a massive life-sized chess board for your amusement?

Where do you plan to play? Do you want something portable or will it stay set up all the time?

I like this idea.

+1 Don't be a smalltimer

You should consider what size you want.

Be hard to find much at that price range for a wooden set but I bought I nice magnetic set from a guy in India off of ebay that was surprisingly nice. http://stores.ebay.com/chessbazaar