Top 4 Quality Chess Sets & What to Look for in a Set
You’re getting serious about your chess hobby. You’re ready to graduate from the online chess enthusiast to a full-blown over-the-board tournament player. It’s time to purchase your first chess set or upgrade that pathetic, cheap Walmart set you’ve had since childhood. With the sheer number of chess sets out there, it can be difficult to know what to look for in a quality chess set. We’ve laid out all the factors that make a high-quality chess set and linked some of our favorites.
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What to Look for in a Quality Chess Set
1. Weighted Pieces
Weighted pieces may be the most noticeable improvement from a cheap chess set to a more premium one. Once a chess player switches from unweighted to weighted pieces, it becomes uncomfortable to switch back.
Weighted pieces aren’t easily knocked over, which is important when you’re playing a quick over-the-board game or playing outdoors in a windy setting. But even in the best conditions, unweighted pieces don’t give the same satisfying tactical feel as weighted pieces.
2. Premium Materials
The materials of a high-quality chessboard vary. Typical tournament sets feature sturdy, weighted plastic pieces with felt bottoms, high-grade vinyl boards, and convenient canvas carrying cases.
Wooden boards offer a sturdy alternative to plastic and vinyl. While being less portable, these are beautiful sets. Premium wooden sets can feature mahogany, walnut, acacia, or other unique wood types.
Marble hand-carved boards are another tier of luxurious chessboards. These boards aren’t ideal for tournament play, but look beautiful as an at-home decor piece.
3. Tournament Standards
If tournament play is important to you, there are certain standards the board and pieces must meet. These standards are in-depth and vary by chess level. At a top-level FIDE tournament, wooden rigid boards are required, while at local USCF tournaments, vinyl roll-up boards are the standard. Most chess sets on the market will indicate whether they are acceptable for tournament play. All tournament boards must be a certain size.
If you have no interest in tournament play, these standards don’t make a large difference; however, the larger size of tournament boards can help you see the game clearly.
4. Portability
You’ll want your chess set to be portable if you’re planning to bring it to tournaments or other in-person events. Vinyl chess boards are highly useful for this, as they can roll up into a small carrying case. Make sure the vinyl isn’t so thin that it’s easily damaged.
Wooden chessboards often hinge in the middle, making them easier to transport. If you focus too much on portability, you may end up with a small, low-quality, plastic travel board. This is why portability is a factor, but not the most important factor, of a quality chessboard.
5. Style
While it shouldn’t be the primary aspect, style is an important aspect of a quality chess set. There are many beautiful chess sets out there: some carved of marble, some painted ornamentally, and some with more modern, minimalistic designs. However, form shouldn’t be placed over function in chess sets. Some of the most beautiful chess sets are the worst to play on.
When looking for a chess set, you’ll want a blend of both style and functionality. Ensure all the previous features are in place in your chess set before you look for style.
4 Quality Chess Sets With Purchase Links
1. Best Wooden – House of Chess Rosewood / Maple Chess Set
If you’re looking for a leave-at-home chess set that stuns your guests, this is your best bet. This 15″ by 15″ board is made of polished ringy rosewood and maple. The deep color of the board’s border and dark squares contrasts with the maple light squares. This board is a premium art piece that would work best staying at home, as it doesn’t feature a hinge in the middle for easy transport. The triple-weighted pieces ensure comfortable play.
2. Best Style & Substance – House of Chess Folding Golden Acacia Wood Chess Set
This chess set features premium wood, weighted pieces, and center hinges for portability. It’s a nice blend of elegance and functionality, with golden wood, engraved notation, and a protective velvet case.
3. Best Simple Tournament Set – House of Staunton Deluxe Chess Set
This is the go-to chessboard for those looking to upgrade their everyday tournament set. This set is highly functional and features a variety of colors and styles. With triple-weighted pieces, a rollable vinyl board, and a convenient carrying case that also fits a chess clock, this set has everything the typical tournament player needs.
4. Best Deluxe Tournament Set – House of Staunton Library Grandmaster Set
This tournament-ready chess set is luxurious. Made of high-grade mahogany and maple, the board has a satin finish and the House of Staunton logo. It comes with elegant, hand-carved pieces and a velour-lined pieces box.
The time has come to upgrade your chess experience. Purchase one of these high-quality chess sets and find out why weighted pieces, premium materials, and luxurious finishes make all the difference.
Chess is Hard 