[Daisywh]

Yeah, I always think of the old beat up plastic set at the park near my house. Some of the pieces were scratched up, a few were kinda melted probably left in the sun too long. But that’s what I learned on, so it still feels like “real” chess to me.

It’s weird how no matter how fancy the sets get, that scruffy one is still the one I picture first.

[FinnLobsien]

I think that's the beauty of chess as well. You can play in the street with a molten plastic set and a missing pawn replaced with a coin or in a mansion with ivory-carved pieces.

And it's still the same game, nobody can buy an advantage or get a lucky win.