Tournament Chess
This is without question the most popular chess set in the world both for tournament play and recreational use. It's made generically by many different manufacturers and I don't believe any copyrights or trademarks are associated with it.
Just as there are regulations in every sport such as the layout of a football pitch or the exact size of an Olympic swimming pool, there is an international standard for chess tournaments.
Staunton pieces are easily recognized by everyone and tournament chessmen have very little if any variance in size shape or color. The boards are usually of a roll-up vinyl marterial similar to a mouse pad; the chessmen are hard durable plastic, some weighted and some are not.
Tournament rules pretty much dictate that the chess board have 2 ¼" squares, and the king from the set of chess pieces be between 3 ¾" and 4 ¼".
More detailed rules for Tournament Size and Shape.
Common Misconceptions about Chess Tournaments. Aimed at parents, but informative to anyone interested in playing.
I'll add an explanation of tournament player ratings as soon as I understand them myself. They're rather like golf handicaps or bowling averages, I think.
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