Christmas recommendations

It's December 1 which means it's time to go out and buy a bunch of stuff to give to people who don't need it. It's the Amercian way. In fact, it is the engine of our consumer-based economy. As a public service, let me make a shameless plug for several shops I frequent.

1) www.wholesalechess.com -- Good quality chess sets priced much better than retail ($40-$150). I have been pleased the the quality and service of this site.

2) www.houseofstaunton.com -- If you want a high quality set and you are willing to pay for it, this is the place to go. Their wooden sets range start at about $125 and go up from there. I ordered a set from them for Christmas (theoretically the Empress de la Maza ordered it) and received the good service I expected. I'll let you know about quality on Christmas day or when I can figure out where the hell my lovely child bride is hiding it.

3) www.bgamers.com/gamesunl.htm -- There's a guy in a little store in Pittsburgh, Games Unlimited, who has 15 gagillion games stacked all over the place. I highly suspect some temporal wormhole in the back where he crams his inventory. Among them is an impressive selection of good quality chess sets (more than Wholesale chess, less than House of Staunton). He also carries every other game you might want to own, particularly good quality classic games. I have been buying games here since 1979.

4) www.fairplaygames.com -- The world of board games took an evolutionary leap in the mid-1990's with the introduction of a game called "Settler's of Catan". Since then, a new gaming genre referred to as "German" or "designer" games has taken off. If you want to get one of these, Fairplay will give you the best price in my experience. If they don't have it, try www.funagain.com (though you'll pay a few bucks more).

I am a confirmed gaming nut. I should be pleased to make specific recommendations on games. Send me an email if you are interested.

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