I admired this set on Amazon for over six years. I thought I would never pay so much for a chess set, but I finally took the plunge and am very glad I did. I ordered a board just for these pieces with 2.5" squares, but it is a few days out so I don't have pictures of the pieces on it. You will definitely want large squares. From what I have seen, 2.25" and 2.375" squares look a tad small to my eye.Each piece is perfectly shaped and balanced. The pawns are nimble and consistent in shape. I love the straight cut in the top of the bishop, which feels like it glides effortlessly. The rooks are standard in design, but solid as they move deftly about. The queens are heavier than I imagined, perhaps the heaviest pieces in the lot. Picking them up, the added heft gives a sense of authority, emanating from the power of the most dominant piece on the board. The king looks great, and the size and weight makes the single space moves feel deliberate and decisive.And then there are the knights. I fell in love with them the first time I saw them in the photos. The wild mane, the hints of a bridle, the flared mouth and exposed teeth, topped off by the cold 1000-yard stare. These are the highlight of the entire set and give it a character that is above and beyond anything I could ever dream up. The lineup of the entire set across from you is both awe inspiring and perhaps a tinge intimidating.The storage box is a work of art in itself. There are cutouts for each piece so they are carefully stored when not in use, and won't jumble about and nick or scratch when moved. It is surprising how heavy it all is when compiled together.Shipping was fairly lengthy (11 days) but it was coming from India, and it was absolutely worth the wait. The layers of protection in the package far exceeded my expectations from when I first saw the outside wrap. There are no flaws or deviations in quality across the entire 34 pieces or the storage box.If you think you want the Encore set, even if in another wood variety, do not hesitate. This is easily a beautiful collection of chess pieces that will bring immense joy for years and years to come.