"The Queen's Gambit" Inspired Chess Pieces

In this video we look at the "The Queen's Gambit" Inspired Chess Pieces from the House of Staunton. I try to compare this set to the Paulsen Series Chess Pieces as well as the Library Grandmaster Chess Pieces and also mention some aspects of ergonomics that under certain conditions may be just as important as aesthetics. As always, thanks for taking the time to watch this video and be sure to stay tuned for future chess content.
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[@Kubooxooki]

Love the "crude" German knight of the Queen's Gambit set. I get distracted by refined craftsmanship, so I prefer a knight that doesn't call too much attention to itself and is ergonomically efficient. Great review.

[@AlSuChess]

I agree, sometimes simple isn't necessarily bad, intentional simplicity has a certain "This is a lot more intricate than the initial impression" feel to it. Thanks for watching!

[@mexmex7046]

Finally a good Chess rewiew channal 👍👍👍

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks a lot! I'll definitely be getting more content out on here as it comes so stay tuned!

[@neiloppa2620]

You're advice on picking a set based on the type of play is amazing!

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks a lot! Understanding that different sets can have advantages gives me a more rounded appreciation of chess pieces in general!

[@KatazuiOfficial]

Congratulations on your 20th! I saw the ad for this set, and for sure, I think the rosewood is most popular over pure white pieces. That’s definitely my preference!

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks a lot for watching!

[@jaygalang2280]

Great review! You covered a lot of bases. I especially liked the discussion of ergonomics and how they look on different sized boards. I think some pieces are better suited for faster time controls as they are less likely to chip but also being paired with the right size board can't be overstated. Smaller boards may not seem cramped until a time scramble when pieces are constantly tipping over other pieces. That's when it feels like a quarter-inch really makes a difference. I laughed a bit when you were exchanging knights around 20:35 because growing up, I NEVER saw players exchange pieces so respectfully and gently! There was always an emphatic and hostile thump, even in slower games. The NY/NJ players I grew up around have always been unnecessarily aggressive with their pieces. Whenever I visit I bring my plastic sets.

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks a lot for watching, I am glad you enjoyed the content. Seems like with every video I have more and more specifics to cover and with people commenting useful information it definitely helps me develop a much broader perspective on what is useful to cover and what might be extra. Makes it harder when I edit because I feel like I could cut more out for the sake of making the video shorter and yet I feel like I don't really want to cut out useful information. I try to take care of my sets so they could be played longer.

[@fabriziodivona3683]

Very nice video Al as always, and congratulations for the pronunciation of Modena, appreciate the effort ahah. I have a basically identical set to this one, but smaller, and as you said, they're perfect for fast games and from a practical point of view, I think is one of the best sets you can buy. Also maybe I'm weird, but I love the simplicity of the knight, I found them pretty in their own way.

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks for watching! I am always very appreciative of all the comments and I take a lot of it into account. I like the simplicity of the knight too, sometimes you can have a simple set that looks just as aesthetic as some of the really elaborate sets.

[@armandcordova44]

Hi Alex, Thanks for a nice comparative review, and congrats on your 20th post. Your explanation of the ergonomic aspect of the pieces, especially when playing blitz game makes a lot of sense as to why the pieces where carved and shaped that way. Some other comments I can offer: 1.) When you mentioned that the same set of pieces were priced about half the price a little earlier, and ran out of stock, and rebranded as the Queens's Gambit inspired sets, the company made a clever move of increasing the price and linking it to the popularity of the Netflix show. 2.) It proves that the value of something (not the price) depends on the function and utility of the item. You may pay a higher price for a crude piece, but if it serves the purpose and gives you satisfaction, it is worth it. On another note, I received the imperfect collector luxury chess pieces I mentioned to you. I am very happy with it. Looking forward to your next post.

[@AlSuChess]

I fully agree with you, a the demand has to be balanced with the supply and the only way to balance something that has a much higher demand than supply is to increase the price so the demand decreases and the supply is matched. I am really happy that you like the set you purchased, all that matters is that you are pleased with it!

[@t0dd000]

I actually lean towards the more pragmatic, "crude," simpler knights. And that stamped eye has grown on me. I call it the "shocked look." :) Fancy knights? Meh. Love the pawn. Weight: for me, the set can never weigh too much.

[@AlSuChess]

Yeah these knight are more simplistic, rugged looking, which can be appealing to some people! Thanks for watching!

[@marcellotrove489]

Wow, I dont know why but I love to hear this video in the background when I study or play chess, it's really relaxing to hear and to whach, even whitout the sound

[@AlSuChess]

That's wonderful to know, I have been told I have a soothing quality to my voice from time to time, I am just happy people don't write that my videos help them fall asleep fast lol! Thanks for watching!

[@gilbertrios5283]

Great comparison... I really like the QG set knight, it's a nice looking horse. It looks like a horse. Some horses have so much detail that they look strange. Thx and That was a great series! Continue the great work! Cheers!

[@AlSuChess]

Thank you! I think a lot of people care about the shape of the knights as it varies so much!

[@leomontagna6685]

Excellent video. Good luck from Argentina!

[@AlSuChess]

Thank you!

[@tomoneil1855]

Hi Alex, the chess pieces remind me of the German Knight chess pieces or the French Lardy Chess pieces. Nice pieces for carry around to tournaments. Congratulations on Twenty videos

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks a lot for watching! I have seen some sets where I wasn't not too thrilled with the knight at first but when I saw the set in person I realized its actually quite nice. Another example would be the Dubrovnik set, where the knight is very modest, but the more I see the set the more it grows on me.

[@carljuztine3328]

wow, it has been a year since i discovered you brother, my fave set is this and the dubrovnik one (because i heard Fischer loves that set) wish you a pretty good April !

[@AlSuChess]

Carl! You are one loyal subscriber buddy! Thank you for sticking around!

[@carljuztine3328]

@@AlSuChess continue to produce some great chess related content mate !

[@aaguayo5]

Hi Alex. Congrats,. The knights are very similar to the german, european and the Chavet sets. Very popular sets in worldwide tournaments. The rosewood on the dark pieces, however, look like more to the acacia wood that you just showed in your video on the Zegreb elite light pieces don’t they? Thanks for your reviews!

[@AlSuChess]

It really does, I might just have to get a couple of wooden blocks of actual golden rosewood and acacia wood to see how they compare in terms of color and grain.

[@ericb252]

8:24, its a work of art, we have to look at the effort and time and tool used to create this compared to the other

[@jmg7359]

Hey, can you do a review of the Championship set from house of staunton? Maybe compare it to the queen gambit set?

[@inerniegarcia6376]

Thanks for your review

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks for watching!

[@broken1394]

I like my knights to look like the Elgin Marbles Horse.

[@johandenhertog6878]

You have nice Chess pieces. Have only the official FIDE Chess pieces from DGT. Would like to have the DGT Timeless Chess pieces.

[@mjp9672]

Nice video, although I was interested in chess a lot before, I wasn't knowing the importance of chessmen design. Now I got it . Thank you for the video

[@AlSuChess]

Thank you for watching!

[@emmanuelperante1995]

I always download your videos and watch them when im tired or bored in work,they are relaxing to watch.Love those german set. I have one from chessbazaar. My wish is to have a Siquefield set ine day😍😊😊.

[@AlSuChess]

Hey thanks a lot for watching! I am glad you find the videos enjoyable and interesting! I'd definitely wouldn't mind having a Siquefield set one day too, or meet Rex Siquefield himself one day!

[@emmanuelperante1995]

@@AlSuChess 🤗🤗

[@marin.kucina]

great content man! keep it up

[@AlSuChess]

Thanks a lot!

[@marin.kucina]

@@AlSuChess i woul like to see you do some reviews of Dubrovnik in the future

[@AlSuChess]

@@marin.kucina yeah for sure, I just want to get the right dubrovnik set!

[@marin.kucina]

@@AlSuChess HoS and Chessbazaar now have great versions, Noj from slovenia is also great, it is by many the best, but has double the price comparing to the competition, I recommend you to purchase HoS 3.625 king height, maybe it is the best buy among these 3

[@AlSuChess]

@@marin.kucina thanks for that, I saw a nice dubrovnik set on staunton castle in antique boxwood that looks really nice, but its around $300, which seems a bit high at this time.

[@carcarki5818]

I love the German Knights because of that cute wide-eyed look of surprise. Simply the best knight design of all time in my opinion!

[@bigfootsburneraccount9160]

The weigel set has nice simple wooden knights

[@larryforman6390]

These are so bad ass. We should play with them next time

[@AlSuChess]

For sure man! They feel quite nice actually, simple yet durable, very practical! I'll set them up for our next game!

[@sethjones5250]

What chess clocks were used on the show?

[@itsiqbalgaming]

QG knight actually looks decent. I actually like it even though it’s not detailed.

[@maxtwentynine5968]

What size is that set ? 3.75 ?

[@-johnny-deep-]

This set seems quite similar to the the Championship sets at HOS, especially with regard to the "German" style knight, though the pawn collar is smaller and bishop head is plainer on the Queen's Gambit set. The set weights are also identical. I've come to like the German knight despite the plainness: very utilitarian and a great bang-around design.

[@AlSuChess]

Hey thanks for watching, always good to hear form you. I agree, the knights here are very much so "German" style and the set overall resembled quite a bit the Championship set, with several minor differences. I feel like this set could be a set I wouldn't be afraid to throw in a bag with the folding board and take places with me without worrying too much.

[@-johnny-deep-]

@@AlSuChess Yup! And BTW, you really do have the most detailed and best quality videos of chess equipment on KZbin. You deserve more views and subscribers. Keep up the great work, though I hope you don't go broke buying all these sets! I've been trying to cut down myself so I have to be careful what I watch. I barely have the space to house the half dozen set I have now! I try to refrain from impulse buying though sometimes the desire is just too strong :-)

[@AlSuChess]

@@-johnny-deep- Thanks a lot for the great words of encouragement. I am trying to put the skills I have to good use for all the chess enthusiasts out there!

[@markn3586]

Seems like a small change to the bishop and it's the same set as the Championship Series pieces. I'm not sure I would be able to justify the price difference.

[@user-fu7yn6mz5z]

I agree that German knight staunton is the best in tough play. Thank you for the good review :-)

[@AlSuChess]

Yes I agree, it just feels solid all around!

[@coffeemochafrappucino]

If you are going to talk about sets you should provide links for the sets.

[@gregory2709]

I just don't like those knights. Stll, probably a good first set for someone just getting into chess.

[@terrybritner4037]

Today I purchased tilted knight bud rosewood set from Royal chess mall, India. Wanted to know what you think.

[@KingCrimson82]

i see it differently, the knights have a minimalistic yet high quality appearance. ive got an old chess set from my dead uncle, hard to tell how old it is, i only know in 91 it allready was old, ebonized boxwood and it turned out that this is just a dwarved version of the current tournament set with a kings height of 78mm. The chess board didnt make it through the test of time and my behavior/treatment (used it for pizza). So i bought me a replacement to play with close relatives, sadly i bought a 57mm fiel size board just to find out that the small pieces dont match. so i started searching and after compairing any set i google can find for a time of 7 days, i found out that in 99% of cases cheap sets have narrow figurines, especially the tower, king, queen and the knight. Its subtle but noticeable, you just do not find a ballanced set under 50 bugs, then you find second choice 100 bug pieces for around 50 bugs but they are very rare. it comes down to the smallest details, the knights, compaired to the "blant" tournament ones (gambit) here, have no pupil, or have no hair, no finishing, appear filmsy aso. but to the point i noticed i just wanted my small set in bigger so i ordered chess figures equal to the ones reviewed here for 90 bugs from india. And i can say the knights are gorgious in their own way. In all expensive designer sets the complicated and pointy knights are just not fitting in are openly unpractical.

[@sonnyliew]

I think preferences for Knight designs are probably subjective - I actually prefer the simpler German Knight designs to the more elaborate ones in aesthetic rather than practical terms :)

[@AlSuChess]

Yeah I agree with you, I had some people say they dislike the german knight design but I try to look at them as neutrally as I can!

[@marcellotrove489]

For the queens gambit inspired do you think that Its better ebonize or golden rosewood?

[@AlSuChess]

I think that's entirely a personal preference, although I like the ebonized for the advantage of having contrasty pieces that go well with a lot of boards, this time I decided to go with the golden rosewood because it feels more wood-like, if you know what I mean, you can see the grain better too. Hope this helps!

[@bobbyvernon1745]

I would prefer ebonize, over rosewood. That’s just me

[@kadioglumelih]

Good channel. I like the nature of your review. But perhaps around 19 minute mark you could place the pieces closer to the camera rather than youself so we could see them better.

[@AlSuChess]

Yeah I agree with you on both accounts! I tend to get carried away from time to time! Happy to hear you find the content useful!

[@ibrahimgurkan2767]

Detailed knights are absurd in my opinion.. king does not have a beard, queen is not a lady at all, bishop looks more like a tower, rook is not detailed at all... basically they all have similar circular shape, with not so big differences.. there is no point making a knight look like a real horse.. it should also be plain.. it need not resemble a horse in detail to represent the piece.

[@AlSuChess]

Interesting observation! As long as we know which piece is which, and also as long as they are made well and comfortable to play, then that's all that matters.

[@thomassawyer2282]

I prefer the latvian or the soviet set. As i recall the set that was used in the final game against borgov was the soviet set

[@AlSuChess]

Yeah I remember that one! Very good looking set!

[@marcellotrove489]

I acctually like the knight of the queen gambit inspired for the simple style

[@AlSuChess]

I agree, it's a knight that doesn't cream luxury, but it's not a cheaply made knight either, I could see some high rated players prefer to play with a set like this instead of something super fancy!

[@marcellotrove489]

remember me when you will be famous :)

[@AlSuChess]

@@marcellotrove489 For sure! I have decent memory!

[@renannascimento2423]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@renannascimento2423]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@KompressorV6]

I’d love to see how the larger HOS Grandmaster set compares to the QG/German knight set.

[@AlSuChess]

For sure, that would be a great comparison video! I'll see what I come upon, I've been getting some good things recently! Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers!

[@KingCrimson82]

its the 22 tournament chess set.

[@r.d.1056]

looks identical to the Championship set

[@AlSuChess]

I agree, especially the knights, the pawns are slightly different and the bishops are slightly more bulbous in the queens set at the top, but yes, quite similar.

[@guitarplayerdonald7546]

Where is Beth as the queen? No imagination?

[@fabianram9702]

This is an old set, that be sold for decades. not a new set.

[@chriswalker810]

The Queen's Gambit Inspired set is an over priced German Knight set. Look at the DGT Timeless set and look at The Queen's Gambit Inspired set. They are exactly the same set. Me personally is what I didn't like about The Queen's Gambit. They used sets that were not from the time period of the 1960's. They were modern sets. The only one that was used was actually a time period set. The Latvian set was the only time period correct set. The Golden Rosewood in your video is actually Acacia Wood and not Golden Rosewood. Golden Rosewood doesn't have peppered grain pattern. If you see peppered grain pattern in your wood for a chess set. It is Acacia Wood.

[@Davyjones5454]

Have to agree it’s overpriced. I was considering this set. And it was cheeky of HOS to increase price once they see high demand.

[@AlSuChess]

I think this set is still well made, the pieces feel well weighted and large enough and sturdy for practical purposes. This set feels like it can take a beating!

[@outdoorswithunclesergey6293]

:-)

[@gummibl]

I still think this set is overpriced compared to other sets, fx. the grandmaster set. I don't get the pricetag given the design of the knight.

[@AlSuChess]

Yeah it's a lot to do with the demand. I think the pawns are bulkier than some other sets. It's a lot of wood, but I would have to agree, I'd probably price this set a little less.

[@gabxp3095]

I hate the German style pieces.....it just looks so plain, and most distributors overcharge for it.

[@rajeshbarh6714]

Dgt

[@robertdillon9989]

Not worth 190.00 !!!! house of Staunton has been going down in quality and up in greed