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So they're expensive (and rare) because apparently the certification is pretty strict and it takes a lot of skilled manual labor to comply with the certificatio

So they're expensive (and rare) because apparently the certification is pretty strict and it takes a lot of skilled manual labor to comply with the certification. But why is the certification so strict? Why isn't the certification somewhat looser, so that official sets can be less expensive? It's not like the exact dimensions, weights, shapes or materials influence the game play like e.g. a football ball does, or a formula racing car.

phoe-krk 4y ago
> But why is the certification so strict? Why isn't the certification somewhat looser, so that official sets can be less expensive? It's not like the exact dimensions, weights, shapes or materials influence the game play like e.g. a football ball does, or a formula racing car. Isn't it a general lack of demand? Machine-produced chess sets are commonplace and much cheaper to make en masse. A handmade chess like this is also also a luxury item at this point, and luxury items may have arbitrary price tags.
- ivanbakel 4y ago
  That has nothing to do with certification for official use.
  - phoe-krk 4y ago
    OK - isn't it a general lack of demand for the certifications to be changed, then? If the certification process looks like this now, then what is the force that would bring it out of its current inertia?
treeman79 4y ago
Have played on cheap “fancy” sets. Ones where both sides keep confusing themselves on who owns a piece. Or what it is. Nothing like losing or wining because you tried to checkmate using your opponents pawn as a bishop…
- klez 4y ago
  Ok, but there's a difference between a cheap fancy set and a set that has the correct shapes and colors but is made of molded plastic instead of hand-carved wood. The latter is still cheap (probably cheaper than the fancy one) but it's not confusing.
turboponyy 4y ago
> It's not like the exact dimensions, weights, shapes or materials influence the game play like e.g. a football ball does, or a formula racing car. It most certainly might in faster time controls. You could also argue that the quality of the chess set influences players psychologically in slower time controls, though that's of course not as clear cut.
thomasahle 4y ago
I mean sure, $500 may be expensive for many players at home, but it hardly breaks the budget for a top championship that centers around said board for hours. The table or chairs are probably more expensive.

phoe-krk 4y ago

> But why is the certification so strict? Why isn't the certification somewhat looser, so that official sets can be less expensive? It's not like the exact dimensions, weights, shapes or materials influence the game play like e.g. a football ball does, or a formula racing car. Isn't it a general lack of demand? Machine-produced chess sets are commonplace and much cheaper to make en masse. A handmade chess like this is also also a luxury item at this point, and luxury items may have arbitrary price tags.

ivanbakel 4y ago
That has nothing to do with certification for official use.
- phoe-krk 4y ago
  OK - isn't it a general lack of demand for the certifications to be changed, then? If the certification process looks like this now, then what is the force that would bring it out of its current inertia?

treeman79 4y ago

Have played on cheap “fancy” sets. Ones where both sides keep confusing themselves on who owns a piece. Or what it is. Nothing like losing or wining because you tried to checkmate using your opponents pawn as a bishop…

klez 4y ago
Ok, but there's a difference between a cheap fancy set and a set that has the correct shapes and colors but is made of molded plastic instead of hand-carved wood. The latter is still cheap (probably cheaper than the fancy one) but it's not confusing.

turboponyy 4y ago

> It's not like the exact dimensions, weights, shapes or materials influence the game play like e.g. a football ball does, or a formula racing car. It most certainly might in faster time controls. You could also argue that the quality of the chess set influences players psychologically in slower time controls, though that's of course not as clear cut.

thomasahle 4y ago

I mean sure, $500 may be expensive for many players at home, but it hardly breaks the budget for a top championship that centers around said board for hours. The table or chairs are probably more expensive.