Whether you’re a pro chess player or are interested in learning the rules of the game, we’re here to help you find the best chess set! Regardless of the board size you prefer and the things you look for in chess sets, you’re sure to find the perfect item for you on the menu below. Many of the chess sets even include free shipping! It can be difficult to know what to look for when searching through multiple products, but we’ve put together a menu of helpful product descriptions and even a buyer’s guide to help you make your decision between the best chess sets below.
#1 Editor’s Choice
Classic Game Collection Metal Chess Set
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- Elegant design
- In-board storage
- Sleek metal pieces
#2 Editor’s Choice
Winning Moves Games Winning Moves No Stress Chess
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- Illustrated board
- Educational action cards
- Play standard chess or “no stress” chess
Noble Collection Harry Potter Wizard Chess Set
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- Detailed pieces
- Official Warner Brothers set
- Included storage pouches
Wegiel Handmade European Ambassador Chess Set
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- Birchwood and beech board
- Highly detailed weighted pieces
- Foldable board with built-in storage
Chess Armory 15 Inch Wooden Chess Set
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- Inlaid walnut board
- Hand-crafted House of Staunton pieces
- Felted interior storage
Cardinal Game Gallery Chess & Checkers Wood Set
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- Two games included
- Built-in felted storage area
- Folding wooden board
1. Classic Game Collection Metal Chess Set
Editor’s Choice #1: This elegant metal and wood chess set would look at home in a sophisticated office or anywhere else in the house! It features a board size of 12 inches by 12 inches, and the unique chess pieces are made of metal and have a sleek design. This popular chess set allows you to enjoy one of the most classic board games of all time!
Inlaid Wooden Board
The inlaid wooden board will become your new favorite for a good game of chess. With a gorgeous dark red mahogany finish and sharply contrasting black and light oak board squares, this board is truly a work of art! Exceptional craftsmanship and a quality design make this board one of the best chess sets on our menu.
Board Doubles As Storage
This chess board isn’t just a board–it’s really a chess box! The lid lifts off, revealing plenty of storage space for all of the included chess pieces. Chess players are sure to appreciate the built-in storage box–the chess box still remains compact, at only 3.25 inches tall.
Pros
- Elegant metal pieces
- Wooden inlaid board
- Built-in board storage
- 2.5-inch king height
- Pull-string pouches
Cons
- Pieces are slightly lightweight
2. Winning Moves Games Winning Moves No Stress Chess
Editor’s Choice #2: This set is not only budget-friendly, but it’s also aimed towards children and those who don’t know how to play chess. The simple setup and action card deck makes it easier than ever to begin learning about this classic game. Plus, the two-sided board allows players to choose the helpful illustrated side for “no-stress chess” or the regular side for classic chess.
Action Card Deck
What’s unique about this chess set is that it comes with a 56-card action deck. Each card identifies a chess piece and explains the proper way to move it. The action deck effectively transforms chess into a game of chance; each player takes a turn drawing a card and moving the piece as illustrated. This is a great method to get the pieces down before beginning to learn about strategy.
Double-Sided Board
The double-sided board features one side with helpful illustrations that show where each piece goes and assist with the first few moves of the game. The other side is a classic chess board, perfect for those who are ready to take the next step after learning about each of the pieces. This board and its pieces are wonderful for young kids and those who are just beginning to learn chess.
Pros
- Double-sided board
- 56 action cards
- Illustrated board
- Play “no stress” or standard chess
- Plastic pieces
Cons
- Doesn’t teach strategy
3. Noble Collection Harry Potter Wizard Chess Set
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, it’ll be hard to pass this one up! This chess game is modeled after the wizard’s chess set featured in the first Harry Potter movie, which makes the game even more fun. It can also double as a piece of home decor since you’ll definitely want to show off your cool new chess set! Plus, two drawstring storage pouches are included with this board, so you don’t have to worry about losing any parts of your wizard’s chess set.
Based On The Movie
If you remember the iconic scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when Harry, Ron and Hermione must play a life-size version of wizard’s chess in order to save the Sorcerer’s Stone, then you’ll love this set. It’s officially authorized by Warner Brothers, and each piece is based on the wizard’s chess set that’s seen in the movie. Bring some magic into your life with this Harry Potter-themed game of chess!
Pros
- Authorized by Warner Brothers
- Detailed plastic pieces
- Drawstring storage pouches
- Recreation of wizard chess
- Heavy-duty coated cardboard board
Cons
- Very lightweight pieces
4. Wegiel Handmade European Ambassador Chess Set
Thanks to its incredible detail, these chess sets are considered an ambassador set. Amazing quality and care was put into its construction. Plus, this chess game features convenient built-in storage with separate areas for each chessman. You’re sure to fall in love with the intricacy and craftsmanship put into this game board and pieces.
Quality Construction
This 21-inch wooden board is made from beech and birch wood for a gorgeous finish and extreme durability. The board has a classic, handmade feel and includes artistically-displayed coordinates along the sides. The handcrafted hornbeam and sycamore wood chessmen are weighted and have felt bottoms to keep them from damaging the board.
Pros
- Beech and birchwood construction
- Hand-crafted weighted chess pieces
- King height of 4.5 inches
- Built-in chessman compartments
- Folding board
Cons
- Very large pieces
5. Chess Armory 15 Inch Wooden Chess Set
This well-made set includes a large 15-inch by 15-inch folding chess board, along with handcrafted Staunton-style chess pieces and an interior felted storage area with convenient straps to hold each piece in place. The quality wood used for this board truly makes it stand out! Get ready to play game after game with one of these chess sets.
Inlaid Walnut Board
Walnut is known for being durable and long-lasting. Plus, it has an attractive wood grain and is highly resistant to wear and tear–so you know this board will last you for years to come. The contrast of the inlaid walnut against the lighter wood on the board makes it one of the most gorgeous wooden sets on this list!
Pros
- 15-inch by 15-inch board
- Inlaid walnut
- Three-inch king size
- Felted interior storage
- House of Staunton chess pieces
Cons
- Board spaces may not be aligned perfectly
6. Cardinal Game Gallery Chess & Checkers Wood Set
Want to get the most bang for your buck? Take a look at the Cardinal Game Gallery Chess & Checkers Wood Set. It features a quality wooden board that opens up to reveal a felted built-in storage space where you can keep all the game accessories. This simple board is a great addition to any house where people enjoy playing board games together!
Chess And Checkers
Enjoy two classic games with this affordably-priced game board! All the accessories and pieces you need to play both chess and checkers are included with this set. Kids and adults alike will be able to enjoy playing chess or checkers as they please. It’s truly a bargain to get both games and all their game pieces in a single set!
Pros
- Two games in one
- Folding board
- Chess and checkers pieces included
- Built-in storage
- Felted storage area
Cons
- Very little contrast between spaces
Buyer’s Guide
What To Look For When Buying A Chess Set
Price
Price is a huge factor in any purchase, so of course it comes into play when selecting the best chess sets as well. There are plenty of budget-friendly chess sets on the market, but a tournament chess set might cost a little extra. Weighted, hand-carved pieces and extra queens are often included with more expensive boards. Meanwhile, cheaper boards typically feature lightweight plastic or metal pieces.
The most expensive chess set in the world is worth $9.8 million! This set is made of 18 carat gold and is studded with diamonds and rubies!
Craftsmanship
When it comes to chess sets, craftsmanship is extremely important. Not only do the pieces need to be easily discernible, but the board and pieces both need to be of high quality. While themed chess sets are fun novelty items, they’re usually not suitable for tournament play. Often, quality craftsmanship comes with a higher price tag.
Durability
Durability is also an important component of chess sets. Cardboard chess boards simply aren’t built to last and withstand hours upon hours of play. A solid wood board, on the other hand, promises much more durability. Metal pieces also tend to hold up much better than lightweight plastic ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Chess Set?
The best chess set is the Classic Game Collection Metal Chess Set. It features an elegant design with a wooden inlaid board, as well as sleek metal chess pieces and in-board storage. This high-quality chess board measures 12 inches by 12 inches and has a king height of 2.5 inches.
What Chess Set Do Pros Use?
Pros use Staunton-style chess pieces, but the equipment needed for chess competitions varies quite a bit. In general, pros use chess sets that are suited to 3.75-inch pieces. Oftentimes, they select products such as roll-up vinyl chess boards to bring to competitions, rather than risking damage to a more expensive board.
What Is The Most Dangerous Chess Piece?
The most dangerous chess piece is the queen. The queen is the most powerful piece on the chess board, and this piece is able to move horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The queen has the most power in situations where the board is open, and the opponent’s king is poorly defended.
Who Invented Chess?
While it is not known exactly who invented chess, we do know that the game that eventually became today’s chess developed in India back in the 7th century. As time went on, this game was introduced to Persia, spread to the Middle East and Russia, and arrived in Europe by the year 1000. By the late 15th century, chess had spread all over the world!
What Size Chess Board Should I Buy?
You should buy a 16- to 20-inch size chess board if you are looking to play in tournaments. This is because the World Chess Federation recommends board squares of two to 2.5 inches. This particular size is comfortable to play on and can fit on most table surfaces at home and in tournaments.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned all about the best chess sets on the market, it’s time to choose the best chess set for you! Out of all of the products, our number one Editor’s Choice set is the Classic Game Collection Metal Chess Set with its elegant design, in-board storage, and sleek metal pieces. Our second Editor’s Choice recommendation is the Winning Moves Games Winning Moves No Stress Chess, which is perfect for children and those who are still learning the rules of the game.
