We Guarantee You’ll Feel Smarter After You Buy One of These Chess Sets
If “checkmate” is a term that’s unfamiliar to you, it’s likely you’ve never enjoyed a game of chess played to completion. This two-player board game is enjoyed by millions across the globe, and it only requires a 64-square game board and 32 game pieces to play. While that may sound relatively simple, what makes chess popular and has kept it that way for hundreds of years is the strategic thinking, abstract reasoning and ability to predict required for successful gameplay.
Chess, of course, has rules and requires practice to become a skilled player. There are six different types of chess piece and each can take specific actions. These include where they start on the board, how they can move and what actions they can actually perform. Remember the pieces and their individual tasks, and you’re good to go.
If you already love chess, skip on and check out our top chess set picks. If you still need convincing this is the game for you, think about this. After each player has made one single move in a game, there are 400 possible board setups. After two moves each, there are 197,742. After three rounds, there are 121 million. In short, if you’re looking for a unique and brain-stimulating experience that pits you against the person across the board in a true battle of wits, chess is the game you’ve been waiting for.
Whether you’re an amateur chess player still honing their skills or an obsessive master, we’ve put together 15 of the best chess sets available. These include options for every kind of player, whether you want to play at home, on the go or even in the garden. You’ll also find sets that are worthy of display simply for their classy appearance.
1. Chess Armory 15″ Wooden Chess Set
BEST OVERALL
Chess players far and wide love this chess set from Chess Armory for its large 15″ x 15″ playing board and the quality inlaid walnut it’s made out of. The board comes with a felted-interior case with straps for storing pieces as well as hand-crafted staunton-style chess pieces. The king is about 3″ high to give you perspective. This folding set also comes with metallic hinges for an easy and secure closing, and all of the pieces have felt bottoms to prevent scratches on the board. This chess set also comes in a 17″ size for those who want a larger playing surface.
Courtesy of Amazon
2. Fun Family Chess Set
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
If you’re new to the game and want to learn how to play in a fun and easily understood way, look no further than the this beginner learning set from Brain Blox. It comes in a color-coded, learn-as-you-play format that’s great for kids and adults alike who are intrigued by this simultaneously simple and complex game. The solid wood board comes white-washed with velvet underneath. The solid wood chess pieces also come in a velvet pouch for easy storage.
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3. QuadPro Magnetic Travel Chess Set
BEST TRAVEL SET
This QuadPro Magnetic Travel Chess Set includes everything you need to enjoy a game of chess on the go. You’ll find a drawstring bag for holding the game pieces together and a 10″ by 10″ folding game board which has an internal space for storing the game pieces when they’re not being used. Each magnetic piece also sports a soft material bottom to prevent scratching and noise during play.
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4. US Chess Federation’s Quiver Chess Set Combo
BEST SET FOR CHESS CLUBS
If you play on a regular basis, like at a chess club or with friends, this US Chess Federation’s Quiver Chess Set Combo may be the right choice for you. It includes a full set of single-weighted, regulation chess pieces, a roll-up, vinyl chess board and a quiver-style chess bag which makes the set especially portable. The set has been exclusively made by the United States Chess Federation and exceeds both US Chess Federation and FIDE requirements, meaning it can legally be used for official tournaments. That fact and its portability makes this an especially good choice for clubs and schools.
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5. Chess Armory Wooden Chess Set
BEST FOLDABLE
The Chess Armory Wooden Chess Set with Felted Game Board is an ideal choice for anyone just looking for a standard playing set that’s easily stored at home. The wooden set includes a 15″ by 15″ folding board with plenty of space for storing the felt-bottomed, hand-crafted pieces when you’re finished. In addition, the box interior includes elastic straps to hold all the pieces in place, while the outside latch ensures the box stays closed. If you want a compact and foldable board that still looks like a premium product, this is the best chess set you’ll find.
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6. Croove Electronic Chess and Checkers Set
BEST ELECTRONIC
If you love chess but often find yourself short of a partner to play with, the Croove Electronic Chess and Checkers Set could be the answer for you. This chess set includes an advanced computer which adjusts its playing level to match yours, meaning it’s ideal for players of all levels, including kids. The computer includes 12 chess modes, 30 unique chess levels and 100 preset chess exercises to help you practice your moves. In addition, this board can also be used to play checkers, halma, reversi and more.
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7. UncommonGoods Wall Chess
MOST UNIQUE
The UncommonGoods Wall Chess is a true two-in-one chess set. It, of course, allows you to play chess. However, as it’s a wall-mounted chess board, it also provides a beautiful home decor addition, too. The set makes a great gift idea for keen chess players and friends who are always on the move, as it can be played between two people as and when they pass by the board. It includes a special piece that indicates the last move, meaning it’s also possible to play games over days, weeks or whenever you get the chance.
Image courtesy of Uncommon Goods
8. The Noble Collection Harry Potter Wizard Chess Set
BEST NOVELTY
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll certainly recall the memorable scene at the end of the first film when Harry, Ron and Hermione take on a larger-than-life chess set. If the idea of doing that for yourself appeals, be it on a slightly smaller scale, it’s definitely worth investing in this beautifully crafted wizard chess set. It’s officially authorized and includes an 18.5″ by 18.5″ game board as well as two sets of highly-detailed pieces and individual bags to store them in. For anyone who loves both Hogwarts and chess, this Harry Potter chess set is the game for you.
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9. MegaChess Oversized Premium Chess Set Pieces
BEST PATIO CHESS SET
Many homeowners, hotels and luxury apartments now feature an over-sized chess set. These larger-than-life chess sets can be found on rooftop gardens, courtyard lounges and private patios. This oversized chess set from MegaChess lets you create your own giant chess game. Customers can either purchase a plastic chess board separately or create their own board using paint or chalk. This giant garden chess set comes with 32 game pieces that range in size from 16 inches to 25 inches in height. The pieces are made from HDPE plastic and require little maintenance.
Courtesy of Amazon
10. 16″ Marble Chess Set Euro Design in Marina & Black
BEST MARBLE SET
Everything is better in marble, which is why this classy Euro chess set from the Chess House is the perfect marble version of the beloved board. It comes with a marina and black color combination that’s beautiful and sophisticated, and includes marble’s natural veins and swirls that make the design unique. The chess pieces follow the recognizable Staunton design that’ll feel familiar to experienced players.
Courtesy of the Chess House
11. Classic Game Collection Metal Chess Set with Storage
BEST IN-BOARD STORAGE
This chess set from Classic Game Collection has elegant metal pieces that contrast against the wood nicely. The chess board is beautifully inlaid with crafted wood and the board is raised so as to double as a storage area for the pieces. This chess board is a bit smaller than other ones on this list at 12″ x 12″ — the kind also stands 2.5″ tall.
Courtesy of Amazon
12. Sonora Geometric Chess Set
BEST SPLURGE
Doesn’t this look just like a chess set that would be on the table in a high-rise waiting room in a James Bond movie? It’s beautiful and yet the edges are a bit intimidating — which is what makes it the perfect splurge if you’re a chess set collector. The unique design makes it stand out while the neutral colors also help it blend in. The pieces and board are acrylic, so they’re more durable than straight up glass. It’s just as functional on display as it is being played, and anyone who comes across it will admire it either way.
Courtesy of One Kings Lane
13. NYC Skyline Chess
BEST FOR GIFTING
This chess set is another unique design spin on the classic board design, and features buildings and structures from around the Big Apple as the pieces. Brownstones are the pawns, the Guggenheim is the rook and One World Trade stands tall as the mighty king. This makes a great gift for New Yorkers as well as any chess set collectors looking for something unique.
Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
14. WE Games Mini Chess Set
BEST MINI SET
This miniature chess board is magnetic and measures 5.75 x 3.25 inches when folded. It’s magnetic, so it’s super easy to play with the flat pieces while traveling in a moving car or on a plane where one swift shift can topple all the pieces over. This set also includes extra pieces in case one goes missing and has algebraic notation on all sides making learning super easy.
Courtesy of Amazon
15. fayle Professional Analog Chess Timer
BEST CHESS CLOCK
Want to play like the pros do? Then you’ll need a chess timer, and this analog one is a classic design we love. It’s perfect for all kinds of chess games including speed chess, and has a daily error of no more than one second.
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