3.75" Championship Series Chess Pieces - Acacia

Huge potential, bad QC choices

This is conflicting because the Championship Series is my favorite design for chess pieces, but I can’t ignore how poor piece matching can be in this set. Both armies are different versions of this set. I am certain that I have seen whole sets that look exactly like my white pieces, and I know there’s white pieces out there that have the exact same carving as my brown pieces. The “Handmade variance” excuse doesn’t work when you know artisans have the ability replicate pieces with huge precision, using tools and master samples. My set is clearly a mix of pieces that came from different master samples or from two separate artisans. In both cases pieces should be separated by batches. Both white knights are exact copies, both brown knights are exact copies. Same goes for the other pieces, except the brown bishops which apparently are too cool and unique to look or weight like each other… white rooks have tall walls and straighter body, white knights are wider and have bigger heads and eyes, white bishops are very slim and elegant, unlike the brown ones. White pawns are smaller. Small differences between pieces of the same master sample, like misaligned nostrils on a knight, is what you actually call handmade variance. A design/origin difference between armies is not handmade variance. Don’t let any retailer tell you otherwise. If you want a set to both play and visually enjoy, that has good matching and QC, this will give you some headaches. If you just want a set that allows you to play chess, avoid this and just buy a weighted plastic set for 15 or 20 bucks.

Amazing set

Aside from the occasional defects, the set was perfect. No cracks or nothing and amazing quality.

Traditional design; exceptional construction

The set I bought was perfect. The price was too hard to pass by considering the quality. Perfectly weighted; green felt. What’s not to like?