I'm usually the same way. :-) When I first bought that roll-out board, it bugged me that it wouldn't lie flat until it had been out for *days*. Over time, I'm learning to accept/embrace imperfections (kind of a wabi-sabi journey I'm on).
I bought this set, I like it. I wanted to support Levi because I’ve learned so much from his videos and my wife and I have started playing more regularly. I like that it comes with 2 queens for each color. I do think a travel bag would have been nice. I store it in the box.
I was wondering when you'd pick this up, after I saw GC advertising it on his channel. :-) Great review -- including the size comparisons and the video of shaking the board to prove the magnets work... I currently don't have a physical board, so I'll keep this in mind. :-) Thanks!
I honestly have no idea how much input Mr. Rozman had into the piece design. Just as a consumer, they seemed pretty decent. (Especially compared to other wooden sets in the under $50 price range.)
I purchased one too, I like it very much, it was actually better than expected. I like the size of the board, the pieces are good quality, look and feel good and as you stated the magnets are a nice touch. The pieces are secure on the board and weighted to some degree. I would consider this a very good buy. Especially when you compare it to other chess boards in similar cost.
@@RandomChessPerson I was also comparing it to the board with the roll up mat. I would have gotten the weighted pieces and a carrying case which takes the price up beyond the Gotham board. Also size comparison of them both, I chose Gothams . Seeing you have both types side by side again confirmed I made the best choice for me, the Gotham board is just right size.
I've been looking for a travel board for a while, I'll have to look more into this one. I'm glad they didn't go super ham with the branding, I like Gotham quite a bit, but I wouldn't want to play on a board with his face on it or something haha. Nice classy logo in the corner and a solid quality set. If I do buy it, I might crochet a little pouch for it to keep it from getting too scratched up.
Overboard branding lol. I'm just imagining speakers playing different sound files depending on the placement of the magnets. Levy sings a song if either player ever plays Rb1
Did you get one? Mine says it was made by Allstar Innovations, which is an American company. The product itself was made in China, as are most American products. It doesn't seem cheap or "off-brand" to me, other than the clips I mentioned. As for the price, like I mentioned, it's comparable to other wooden sets I've bought at Target, Walmart, etc. (Not 5x more at all.)
Interesting! Since I've never purchased any of those, I couldn't make a comparison, but compared to other wooden boards I've seen under $50, this one was impressive. :-)
I tried streaming a couple of times, but I don't think I'm cut out for it. :-) So, 99% of what I do is recording (usually while solving puzzles, analyzing games, or occasionally actually playing a game). Thank you.
I don't like wooden pieces in a folding chess set because they are so poorly made and cheap looking (like the knight and queen in this set), a folding set with plastic pieces usually have better made pieces. Of course there is some nice wooden folding sets but they are quite expensive, thanks for the review.
Interesting perspective. These pieces don't seem "poorly made" to me -- certainly not compared to a few other wood sets I've owned. (They're obviously not *premium*, but we're talking about a sub-$50 set here.) :-) Except for my large weighted plastic set, I've not had great luck with smaller plastic pieces.
One cheap chessboard ! ! * What's that great phrase..., "You get, what you pay (paid) for." * Excellent video and very informative, and "Thank you" for sharing the video ! ! Excellent video... "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana :)
I went from liking Gotham's video content to totally not liking him after I saw the real person on twitch.His personality was nothing like the videos he is rude arrogant condescending nothing to like there. I thought about enlightening him but chose to just leave his twitch room.What I wanted to ask him is that does he realize that without his followers his audience he has NOTHINMG he would be a NOBODY. His entire existence the MONEY he makes is because of his audience and for him to THINK he is above everyone else really turned me off.So I wouldn't buy his board if it was selling for 3 cents.
@@galkanftw he has said several times that he plays a sort of character when he’s on camera. It’s not for everyone. I hope you found chess creators that you enjoy more. Cheers.
@galkanftw : I don't personally know the man, but I doubt few of his videos contain the "real person". Personally, I don't prefer the Twitch version, but clearly the viewers over there like that version of him. He's distinctly different in most UA-cam videos, different again in the training course videos on his website, and so on. (Even me, though I try to be consistently "me" in my videos, am obviously not exactly "real life Chan" in these videos.) :-) That said, this wasn't a review of the *person*, but of the product.
This is a pretty mediocre set, certainly worth it for a beginner or someone who doesn't own a physical set yet, or who has a worse one, but it's disappointingly basic. I would be happy to buy a nice looking full size plastic set to support Gotham, but I'm not buying a set I know I won't be able to enjoy.
Thanks for the comment. I guess it's a matter of perspective... I've never had a premium wood set, so this one seemed great to me. (It's the highest-quality wood chess set I've ever owned.) "I would be happy to buy a nice looking full size plastic set to support Gotham..." - Maybe he'll make one some day. :-) Personally, since I already have a larger plastic set, I was glad his offering was wood, and I really like the fitted storage space.
I don't know if "fan" is the right word, but I certainly enjoy his recaps more than some other high-level players -- and I've learned a bit from him over the past two years. :-)
I assumed it with come with only three rooks, as one had been pre-sacrificed.
The 2 panels that are not aligned will bother the crap out of me. Even noticed it from the very first frame of the video.
I'm usually the same way. :-) When I first bought that roll-out board, it bugged me that it wouldn't lie flat until it had been out for *days*. Over time, I'm learning to accept/embrace imperfections (kind of a wabi-sabi journey I'm on).
I bought this set, I like it. I wanted to support Levi because I’ve learned so much from his videos and my wife and I have started playing more regularly. I like that it comes with 2 queens for each color. I do think a travel bag would have been nice. I store it in the box.
I did keep the box (with the cardboard corner protectors), so I might put it back in there if I ever want to travel with it. :-)
I was wondering when you'd pick this up, after I saw GC advertising it on his channel. :-) Great review -- including the size comparisons and the video of shaking the board to prove the magnets work... I currently don't have a physical board, so I'll keep this in mind. :-) Thanks!
I've never owned a high end chess set, so this is one of the (if not THE) nicest one I've had. :-)
I hate those knights. How does Levy make his own chess set and not have his knights look like the Chessly logo?
I honestly have no idea how much input Mr. Rozman had into the piece design. Just as a consumer, they seemed pretty decent. (Especially compared to other wooden sets in the under $50 price range.)
Most likely a chess board company approached gotham and got a branding deal for a lump payment or for shares of the company
I like the labeling A-H and 1-8 on the sides as i struggle with notations. I would consider applying some sandpaper to those corners, though.
Yes! I forgot to mention that as another difference from my older folding board. I do appreciate the notation assistance. :-)
I purchased one too, I like it very much, it was actually better than expected. I like the size of the board, the pieces are good quality, look and feel good and as you stated the magnets are a nice touch. The pieces are secure on the board and weighted to some degree. I would consider this a very good buy. Especially when you compare it to other chess boards in similar cost.
Thanks for the comment. Yes, if you restrict the choices to "wooden chess sets under $50", this one ranks VERY high for me. :-)
@@RandomChessPerson I was also comparing it to the board with the roll up mat. I would have gotten the weighted pieces and a carrying case which takes the price up beyond the Gotham board. Also size comparison of them both, I chose Gothams . Seeing you have both types side by side again confirmed I made the best choice for me, the Gotham board is just right size.
@@darrellcollins877 : Glad you like it!
Wow, thank you for the video. Glad that I just found your channel.
Thanks for stopping in!
I've been looking for a travel board for a while, I'll have to look more into this one. I'm glad they didn't go super ham with the branding, I like Gotham quite a bit, but I wouldn't want to play on a board with his face on it or something haha. Nice classy logo in the corner and a solid quality set. If I do buy it, I might crochet a little pouch for it to keep it from getting too scratched up.
A crocheted pouch might be perfect (but beyond my abilities, LOL). My wife laughed at the video when I said "wrap it in a towel". :-)
Overboard branding lol. I'm just imagining speakers playing different sound files depending on the placement of the magnets. Levy sings a song if either player ever plays Rb1
@@oOPPHOo : I think a board like that would have a different demographic. :-)
This is just an off brand chess set from china, with a custom Logo to sell it for 5x the original price.....
Did you get one? Mine says it was made by Allstar Innovations, which is an American company. The product itself was made in China, as are most American products. It doesn't seem cheap or "off-brand" to me, other than the clips I mentioned. As for the price, like I mentioned, it's comparable to other wooden sets I've bought at Target, Walmart, etc. (Not 5x more at all.)
its the same as most other similar style $25 amazon sets.. with a laser brand added
Interesting! Since I've never purchased any of those, I couldn't make a comparison, but compared to other wooden boards I've seen under $50, this one was impressive. :-)
Nice video! I appreciate the level of detail you went into, was really nice! Do you stream, or do you just have this setup for recording?
I tried streaming a couple of times, but I don't think I'm cut out for it. :-) So, 99% of what I do is recording (usually while solving puzzles, analyzing games, or occasionally actually playing a game).
Thank you.
I don't like wooden pieces in a folding chess set because they are so poorly made and cheap looking (like the knight and queen in this set), a folding set with plastic pieces usually have better made pieces. Of course there is some nice wooden folding sets but they are quite expensive, thanks for the review.
Interesting perspective. These pieces don't seem "poorly made" to me -- certainly not compared to a few other wood sets I've owned. (They're obviously not *premium*, but we're talking about a sub-$50 set here.) :-)
Except for my large weighted plastic set, I've not had great luck with smaller plastic pieces.
"GothamChess is making money, anyway he can ! !" * Book, chess cards, and now a cheap chessboard, etc. :)
Imagine making money from your business. Crazy huh
Did you get one? Mine doesn't feel cheap at all, other than the buckles I mentioned. The rest seems solid and well-made.
@@theMerovingianMan not his point.at all 😂
@@rollinupeverest5042 you married to him bub. Cheap chess board? Get clue.
Honestly it’s a toy like a tool after your done playing your just gonna put it back you don’t care if it’s scratched or not
Exactly. As long as the veneer doesn't peel completely off, it'll be fine. :-)
Fairly famous !!
Famous among those of us who follow chess on UA-cam. :-)
One cheap chessboard ! ! * What's that great phrase..., "You get, what you pay (paid) for." * Excellent video and very informative, and "Thank you" for sharing the video ! ! Excellent video... "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana :)
Thanks for stopping in. I wouldn't call this "cheap", other than the buckles/clips. The rest of it seems well-made.
I went from liking Gotham's video content to totally not liking him after I saw the real person on twitch.His personality was nothing like the videos he is rude arrogant condescending nothing to like there.
I thought about enlightening him but chose to just leave his twitch room.What I wanted to ask him is that does he realize that without his followers his audience he has NOTHINMG he would be a NOBODY.
His entire existence the MONEY he makes is because of his audience and for him to THINK he is above everyone else really turned me off.So I wouldn't buy his board if it was selling for 3 cents.
@@galkanftw So… you’re saying you don’t like the guy?
Imagine thinking someone's videos on twitch or UA-cam is who they actually are. You.must be new to the internet huh?
@@galkanftw he has said several times that he plays a sort of character when he’s on camera. It’s not for everyone. I hope you found chess creators that you enjoy more. Cheers.
@galkanftw : I don't personally know the man, but I doubt few of his videos contain the "real person". Personally, I don't prefer the Twitch version, but clearly the viewers over there like that version of him. He's distinctly different in most UA-cam videos, different again in the training course videos on his website, and so on.
(Even me, though I try to be consistently "me" in my videos, am obviously not exactly "real life Chan" in these videos.) :-)
That said, this wasn't a review of the *person*, but of the product.
@@galkanftw sounds like your issue with Levy is that he's a New Yorker.
Has it got the right number of squares?
Now I have to make a whole 'nother video in which I count the squares, just to be sure. :-)
This is a pretty mediocre set, certainly worth it for a beginner or someone who doesn't own a physical set yet, or who has a worse one, but it's disappointingly basic. I would be happy to buy a nice looking full size plastic set to support Gotham, but I'm not buying a set I know I won't be able to enjoy.
Thanks for the comment. I guess it's a matter of perspective... I've never had a premium wood set, so this one seemed great to me. (It's the highest-quality wood chess set I've ever owned.)
"I would be happy to buy a nice looking full size plastic set to support Gotham..." - Maybe he'll make one some day. :-) Personally, since I already have a larger plastic set, I was glad his offering was wood, and I really like the fitted storage space.
Interesting, don't know you're a GothamChess fan.
I don't know if "fan" is the right word, but I certainly enjoy his recaps more than some other high-level players -- and I've learned a bit from him over the past two years. :-)
@@RandomChessPerson Understood. They do have some good ideas and thoughts to be utilized every now and then.
Woah this review is very skibid! I love your channel 😁
Is "skibid" a good thing or a bad thing? ;-)
@RandomChessPerson its a great thing ☺️
Poor quality
Can you be more specific? The board seems very decent quality to me, compared to others in the same price range.
it is NOT poor quality, I would consider very good quality overall and well worth the money.