The Regency Chess Company 19

------------- Original naive review--------Nice Chess set, large size so easy to move pieces around and see what's going one. Knocked a star off for flimsy catches, the inner felt lining for pieces felt a bit plasticky, it could do with a some kind of cover or bag for when closed up so to prevent scratches in storage (the cardboard box won't last and is ugly) plus the pieces could be weightier.I would have expected a little bit more in the way of little details like that for the price. I realise it's not expensive as chess sets go but my mate bought one which wasn't much different quality wise for 20 quid, although it was smaller. I guess you're paying for the size of the board and the pieces here.Other than that a great set.------------ The new review based on knowledge I wish I had two weeks ago! --------------Update 2 weeks later - I'm feeling quite foolish about my earlier review of this set as I was clearly incredibly over forgiving of its faults. Looking back at my original comments I can see I've essentially listed features that I felt were cheap but somehow concluded that it was a great set basically on the grounds that it looked nice from a distance. I just assumed that this is how chess sets and pricing work. I was surprised by the quality when it was inspected closely but on the whole it is definitely attractive from afar. I'm happy to admit I've been more than a bit naive about chess sets and my initial impression was that this looked nice (from a distance) and that was all I could expect from a board at this price. Especially with the huge reduction quoted, I felt my expectations must be way out of line with the reality of dealing with quality chess sets. This being my first chess set purchase meant I had no ideas to the contrary or comparisons ready to hand. However having looked at similar priced boards from various vendors since purchasing the set listed here it's clear you can get much better quality for this kind of money and this board quite simply isn't a very good deal.For instance I spent considerable time investigating chess piece weights online as the pieces in this set are advertised as 'weighted' which I was suspicious about. The king is only 30g and I was not happy with the weight as I mentioned in my original review. I've played a friend in Liverpool a fair few times on his Tournament set and I'm familiar with how a nicely weighted chess piece feels. I've read online since receiving this set that with a 95mm king you should be looking at around 60g minimum if the set is of a decent quality, as I've stated these kings are 30G. There's no formal standard and weights can go higher, my friend in Liverpool has 95mm kings that weigh 70G for example, but 60G has been cited as a minimum guideline. 30G results in the balance on these pieces being sub par and they are incredibly easy to knock over.Also, as I measured the board for a protective case to put it in, I noticed the veneer is of poor quality and the board feels very cheap and raspy to the touch. Plus there are blemishes visible. Additionally the clasps have started to feel like they are clicking into place less solidly than when they first arrived and I had already stated I thought they felt flimsy in my original review.All this is a preamble to my main gripe with this set and that is the pricing. It is very misleading. It's advertised as being reduced from £89.99 to £67.95 or £59.96 if you got to the Regency Chess site itself. Regency may well have made this reduction I have nothing to suggest otherwise. However, a crucial factor I've discovered after researching this set is that it is available for much less money directly from an online shop run by the people who actually make the set.On the Regency site they state that these boards are "Hand crafted in the EU by the Polish Chess Company". If you go to the Polish Chess Company's site you will find the exact same sets for £38 with £4 P&P. The only difference appears to be that the Regency Kings (this set) are 94mm high, which I can confirm as I checked mine with digital calipers and the Polish set has kings that are 98mm tall. Plus the Polish set has a total weight of 2.5KG. Where as the Regency set is just 2KG. I'm curious as to where that extra 500G weight has gone in the Regency version. Their pieces are slightly smaller but that wouldn't account for such a difference. My guess would be that the Polish set has pieces with more satisfying weighting, but that is a guess albeit one I find convincing. Guesswork aside though, you can't argue that the price difference is considerable and for the price tag of the Regency set you could probably buy an even better set directly from the Polish Chess Company.I do feel foolish about my original review on this set. I was way too charitable in my original score. When I look at my original comments I can see they are on the whole negative points or at least niggles that I have listed. I was unwittingly displaying my ignorance about chess sets and accepting issues that I wouldn't have accepted in a more familiar and less intimidating field. The chess set market is clearly a lot more competitive than I would ever have imagined and while I'm still no expert on the subject the research I conducted since purchasing this set has been quite startling.Anyway, basically for 38 quid I think this would be fair value for money as a budget set, especially as it appears to be heavier when bought from Poland. I can't imagine how this ever sold for £90 though and even with the reduction to £60 it still clearly presents bad value. I think Regency have been misleading in the way this set is presented and priced and would advise anyone interested to seek out the source in Poland instead.I have returned my set to Amazon for a refund and will be looking for another set armed with a lot more knowledge about this field than I had two weeks ago.

This is overall a superb chess set, full size.The figures are well balanced and weighted, with very few noticeable imperfections. The small visible ones are because of the laquer not drying properly or small dents in the wood from production. Nothing critical, I have seen in the past at other sets horrible pieces with the laquer given in excess and every piece not staying straight on the table. Not the case with this set, the pieces have a high quality cloth/baize at the bottom, almost 1mm thick, which makes the pieces silent and soft at movements, while also staying straight and balanced.I have attached a few pictures with them.The board has perfect colour, not too dark, not too light (it's actually a bit more towards reddish than in the product picture), perfect to see clearly the pieces. It has good markings, and the lack of any style of lines (some boards are either very dark, or they use pyrography beveled lines to "enhance" its looks) between squares, makes it ideal for me. The black pieces, being darker than the black squares is also an important thing which I like at this product. At chess imho it's important to see the board easily (and with this board you surely can), not to be confused by strange pieces design, or same shade black on black design, so kudos for that.The only dissatisfaction I have, is that while unpacking the box, the pieces were covered with green dust probably from the assembly line, in high quantity. Take a look at the attached picture for clarity. Not something you can't overcome, but it took me like 20 minutes to blow dust out of each and clean them with a moist napkin, then giving them a bit of shine. Something you would expect not to do at one of the most expensive chess sets on Amazon.4 stars only because of the dirt and the small imperfections at a few chess pieces. Price wise it's a good deal, because perfect good looking pieces are to be found at more than 100 per set, at dedicated chess shops.

It looks great and impresses folk when they visit, but I can't play chess and have given up trying. Hubby bought it in the hope I would learn, I just like polishing it. If you enjoy chess it's a decent set and the pieces are well made.

Though we are asked to rate this chess set as a toy and how much fun it is, is hard to do, as chess is not really a fun thing.When my son told me his son was interested in the game of chess and wanted to learn, my first thought (as a chess player for some 70 years) was that he will be bought one of those silly star wars or similar chess sets, or metal or glass things, that no self respecting chess player would be seen dead with!So I immediately ordered a Staunton, that is accepted world-wide. Though I have never used a folding chess board, I find this would be more suitable, especially has it actually holds the chess pieces inside.The board seems robust enough and the pieces are wood, weighted and with felt. The king is a normal three inches odd height, so all in all should be most satisfactory. If he plays at a club or with friends at least he has the proper set.Tom Crossley

Great traditional chess set, with nice wooden aesthetic.

A good quality chess set. The pieces glide easily over the board and the storage facility is efficient and reasonably sturdy. The one complaint that I would have is that the small catches on the box are a little flimsy. I purchased this for my grandson who is very pleased with the chess pieces and the set in general.

can't really complain too much; seems reasonable value for money. The pieces are nicely detailed and weighted. The board is smooth and nicely finished. My only minor complaint is with one hinge not being set accurately, so the board does not sit entirely flat on one side - there's a slight lip.

Nice pieces and pretty well made - it's a piece to use rather than a showpiece but very happy with it