Henri Chavet Guide

I had a Chavet size 6 from R&N on order since the beginning of September but the shop said they actually don't have any in stock and don't know when and if they will get some more...I messed up a Q and pawn (that boxwood is really fragile...) when installing Chessnut chips on my current size 6 so I do hope they will!

Yeah, @MCH818, that's been my experience, too, and that sounds like a good suggestion. Folks really don't seem to want to part with their simple size 6s (honestly, for a while I was kinda convinced that simples just didn't come in size 6). But based on @xctbl's experience, it sounds like new might not be a sure thing either, at least not in the near term. Ha! Well, a fair portion of the fun is in the looking, but now I have better information, so maybe better luck? We'll see. Thx.

This shows my ignorance but when I first understood what tournament size was - I was surprised at the large size. Roughly speaking you’re talking about a 50-60cm board - great for play but depending on where you live / a bit restrictive to display. For me - a Size 4 on a 40-50 cm board works well … point being, you may find success in other sizes - if size 6 is not a mandatory requirement.

Anyway - here’s a bit of Aus rock from the early 90’s Holy Grail

https://www.jeuxchavet.com/

Is this a resurrection ?

I really hope so! If true this is indeed great news! Thanks for sharing, Tshorni.

I can confirm after contacting them on facebook that Chavet is indeed slowly getting back into activity !

Showing off some Chavet stuff :

An old set (probably late 70s or early 80s) Chavet set with Lardy-like knights. Most likely bought by my uncle, they were paired with a homemade cork chessboard he crafted himself. They are unfelted, the rather soft nature of cork making felt unnecessary.

These are the first Chavet pieces I saw, the ones I found almost by accident in a basement and fell instantly in love with.

A more recent (2011 or 2012) set with single-piece knights.

This one is a size 3. Label says 121/3.

The older set above is a size 4. The label on its box has disappeared long ago...

Boxwood go stones by Chavet I got around 2014. Not exactly what Chavet is best at, but in case you may be interested in seeing some of the not-chess-related stuff they do...

Beautiful set

Potentially a sensitive question, but hey, @xctbl, did your size 6 set come in? Checking back at R&N, they're now advertising felted size 6, but I'd prefer to know how your order turned out before I order. I'm crossing my fingers for good news!

I have just come across this fascinating thread on Henri Chavet chess sets.

In the early 1980s my late parents bought me a humble, French wooden chess set for Christmas. Unweighted and un-felted (although I had it felted later). It does not say Chavet on the box (which seems quite generic).

Over the years I have purchased more valuable chess sets but this old set has always held sentimental value for me. I never knew much about it other than it being made in France. But I just came across this thread and saw the photo posted up by Walterbiensur and on the 7th rank is a set that looks very much like mine.

I wonder if Walterbiensur – or anyone else – could confirm if my set is a Chavet set? And – if it is – which number / name it is known by?

Many thanks

Looks like a size 6 ?

It looks like a Michel Roz set to me (judging from the knight's design)

Initially, Roz bought the knights from Chavet, then from Mora 😇 - it's not me who says that, but Madame Roz herself ;-)

Roz Knights in the 90’

Although this design is very common and most refer to it as "simple", I had the pleasure recently to play a number of games with a long time friend using the Chavet version of that set and honestly they are great! If I ever stumble upon a bigger version of these I wont hesitate for a second.

For me it's a Chavet. I just have a little doubt about the size.
Here's another one in size 5.
They can be recognized, as with other Chavet knights, simply by looking at its base.