Wegiel Handmade Junior European International Chess Set - 16 Inch Luxury Wooden Chess Set for Adults and Kids, Premium Beech and Birch Wood - Unique Folding Design with Storage

I bought this set nearly 6 years ago, so I could teach my 4 year old daughter how to play chess. Since then, she's not only learned how to play, but her little sister was born and is now learning chess to. I mention this not to brag (well, maybe a little, clever kids! haha) but to emphasize that despite this set now having been used by myself and a couple of rambunctious kids for years now, it's held up terrifically. The board and pieces are all well-made, the board can be easily folded up with the pieces inside to put it away, and the nice, big, wooden board and hand-carved pieces make a nice table-top decoration if you prefer to leave the board out on the table for long stretches of time (which we often do, because it's easier to convince the kids to play a few moves before arguing for screen time when the game is out in the open, ready for a match). The price has gone up a notable amount since my original purchase, but as long as the quality is still as good as the one I got, I'd say it's still worth it.

I wanted a a chess board that my kids could grow up playing on a "the family board". This is the size, heft, and hand-made quality that I wanted. The pieces feel substantial in your hand. The workmanship is wonderful. Personally, considering the details, I would say that it is worth 2-3x the price.That is not to say there are no negatives, and here they are:The board and pieces stunk when it was first opened. It was obviously from what was used to stain the wood and is understandable because any smell of the pieces was trapped in the box, but it did stink. I just left it in the garage for a few weeks before I brought it in. The smell doesn't stay forever, but it does need to air.Also, there isn't enough clear distinction between the king and queen. The look is too similar for my taste and the height is too close. It's not a big deal once you get used to the look, but more of a height difference would have been welcome.Bottom line:The negatives don't change my rating. The first you can just air it out to not be a problem, and the second is a personal preference and small irritation. I have seen no other chess board of similar size and heft that gives you the feel that this is how the game was classically played.Buy it, air it out first, and enjoy your games with a fine chess set.

This is gorgeous, the pieces feel nice and there is plenty of room to move them around the board. This is definitely a statement chess set and a joy to play with. It was a gift for my husband. The entire family has loved playing with this set. The pieces are sturdy and the board itself is beautifully carved. We like the numbered and lettered grid carved into the board.

My first chess set was made with cheap plastic. I got it for $10.00 when I was at college 20 years ago. Was so cheap and ugly that after one match with a friend who make jokes about the set I never play again.20 years later I still a newbie on the game, I decide to try again and this time no plastic set for me!You can find all the info you need with other reviewers, but here are my firsts impressions.Pieces are light weight, yes but taking in mind the size of the pieces the weight is ok unless you play outside in a windy park or play with fast uncontrolled movements.The quality. I really like the pieces look, this is not a traditional high polished Staunton set. The set is like something that a old farm man make himself for his grandson, is not a toy and I like the simplicity of the pieces. It looks far more expensive than the $53.00 that I paid.Board looks ok is not top quality but if you take care of it for sure it will last years. Like all people mention, the plastic liner of the board storage section is junk, in mine is already damaged, I probably replace it with foam in the future. Wegiel please fix that!Pieces size, this is the main selling point, is the bigger you can go on a wood set without breaking the bank. King is 4.5" tall. For me the size is really important, I'm short sighted and with small pieces I have problems indentifying the pieces.Price - $53.00 with free UPS 2nd day. When I first see this set week ago, was at $77.00 so I dicide to wait. two days later amazon lower the price $25.00 and I ordered it inmedialy (4:00am :-)Go get it is nice just to have it.UPDATE 1/29/16 - set is unavailable with Amazon, 3rd party retailers are selling it for $200 to $500. For that kind of money you can get a 8" teakwood chessmen set (already on my wish list) wait for a lower price or check somewhere else. Even $120.00 is a fair price but not more than that.