A Practical and playful Brazilian chess set
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Over time, I’ve developed a preference for using specific chess sets for specific occasions. For example, I’ll never have the courage to take my Dubrovnik Minceta by Noj to the pub, nor will my original Petropolis 1973 set ever leave the house. That said, I love going out to play chess with random people, and I’ve got a few sets reserved just for that purpose—like many of you probably do as well.
Recently, I asked a friend to bring me a popular chess set from Brazil. I wanted something with a bit of personality to use when playing chess at Hyde Park in Sydney.
The Choice
After some research, I decided on the Botticelli chess set. It has the charm of something handcrafted, giving it a unique personality. The pieces look like something you might find at a traditional flea market, with imaginative details that focus on playfulness rather than perfect realism or a high-end finish. This makes it the ideal “grab-and-go” set for casual games.
The Set
The pieces are made from a high-quality hardwood called Pau Marfim (similar to maple) and are stained pitch black for the Black side. Both sides are finished with a glossy varnish, and the bases of all pieces are felted in green.
Here are the dimensions of the pieces:
All the pieces are weighted, which helps with balance, but they’re still quite light—making the set easy to carry around. The folding board measures 40 x 20 x 5 cm when closed, with 5 x 5 cm squares.
The Impression
The set cost me AUD 76 (USD 48), and I didn’t have to pay for shipping since my friend brought it from Brazil. Overall, it’s a great set for beginners or casual players who want something versatile for casual club games, home use, or a relaxed match in the park. It also looks nice on a coffee table and is easy to store away when not in use.
The pieces aren’t highly detailed but are easily recognisable. Their slightly chunky design makes them comfortable to grab, and the added weights provide good balance. However, the King, Queen, and Bishops have relatively small bases, which can look a bit disproportionate. Personally, I wish the Knights were taller to create a more balanced aesthetic when setting up the board. Additionally, the varnish finish makes the pieces stand out, but it can be distracting during games as it reflects a lot of light.
For the stained pieces, my biggest concern—which is always the case with stained sets—is durability. While the staining is well done, the folding box doesn’t have an internal felt lining, and one of the Knights has already started to lose paint on its ear because of the friction. Attention to these small details would have elevated the overall quality and demonstrated greater care in the product’s design.
The Value for Money
I found the price of AUD 76 (USD 48) reasonable, as the set meets my expectations for an affordable, personality-filled Brazilian chess set. However, I can see how the cost/benefit might be high for most Brazilians (BRL 295), as it equates to about 20% of the monthly national minimum wage, compared to just 2% of the same wage in Australia.
All in all, it’s a practical and playful chess set with personality, and I can’t wait to take it to the park and put it to good use.
Below you can see some pictures comparing the pieces with a traditional plastic Staunton set with a 9.5cm King.