Top 11 Chess Sets to Purchase Now

Chess is renowned as one of the world's most beloved board games, and for compelling reasons. The game transcends mere competition; it's a blend of art, science, and sport, offering endless opportunities for learning and growth. The surge in interest following Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit a few years ago highlighted its enduring appeal, but chess remains a cherished pastime regardless of trends. Its allure lies in the simplicity of its rules coupled with the profound depth of strategy, allowing players to continually enhance their skills throughout their lives. Many enjoy keeping a chess set at home as a decorative centerpiece on a sideboard or coffee table, subtly inviting them to engage in the game at any time.

Choosing the right chess set, however, involves more consideration than one might expect. While affordable options are readily available at toy stores, they often lack the durability and satisfaction of higher-quality sets. A superior set of chess pieces should have added weight for a more satisfying gameplay experience, which is why better-quality plastic and wood sets often include weights (a triple-rated set is ideal). Additionally, the colors of the pieces should be selected to ensure clear contrast against the board, as plain black and white pieces can sometimes blend into a black-and-white board.

No matter your budget or preferred material and theme, our curated selection of the best chess sets currently available caters to all needs.

Chess Sets | Image Credit: Getty

Best Basic Chess Set

LONDON CHESS CENTRE Best Basic Chess Set

3$26.98 at chess.co.uk

The term "basic" often implies affordability and simplicity, but this set proves that you don't have to compromise on quality. Chess is a lifelong pursuit, so investing in a substantial set like the Weighted Gambit Plastic Set is worthwhile. Commonly found in schools and chess clubs, this set's added weights enhance stability and comfort during play. The accompanying roll-up vinyl board, with its green and white squares, offers better visual contrast, making it the world's most popular plastic chess set, according to the manufacturer.

Best Wooden Chess Set

Hand-carved Dubrovnik II Wooden Set

Wooden chess sets are steeped in tradition, offering a wide range of options. For those seeking a straightforward yet high-quality set, look for one with weighted pieces and good board contrast. For the ultimate wooden chess set, consider luxury brands like the hand-carved Dubrovnik II from Slovenia, praised as the "best chessmen ever" by its maker. Inspired by the 1950 Chess Olympiad pieces in Dubrovnik, this set, favored by chess legends like Bobby Fischer, combines classic styling with a modern touch. Unfortunately, it's not available until 2025, but a similar set from Royal Chess Mall, the 1950s Reproduction Fischer Dubrovnik Chess Set, offers comparable craftsmanship at a more accessible price.

Best Wooden Chess Set

11See it

Best Glass Chess Set

Gamie Best Glass Chess Set

3See it

Glass might seem an unusual choice for a chess set due to its fragility, yet its aesthetic appeal and affordability make it a popular option. The Gamie set stands out with larger, well-designed pieces, felt feet to protect surfaces, and a storage box, making it not only a pleasure to play with but also a stylish display piece.

Best Marble Chess Set

Italfama Best Marble Chess Set

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The Italfama marble chess set epitomizes luxury, though the ideal black and pink color palette is currently unavailable for U.S. buyers. Marble sets, while visually stunning, require careful handling due to their fragility, and their rich colors and veining can sometimes distract from gameplay. However, for U.K. shoppers, the Italfama Black and Pink Marble Chess Set offers a well-contrasted and visually appealing option.

Italfama Marble Chess Set

1Free Standard UK Delivery on all orders over £50See it

Best Lego Chess Set

LEGO Traditional Chess Set

1See it at LEGO

Themed Lego chess sets can be hit-or-miss, often lacking the full Lego building experience or traditional chess aesthetics. The LEGO Traditional Chess Set, however, stands out by offering the classic chess set design built from Lego bricks, providing both the joy of assembly and the fun of play. It's the only current LEGO chess set not retired.

Best Harry Potter Chess Set

Best Harry Potter Chess Set

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Harry Potter-themed chess sets can range from character-based sets, which can be pricey and confusing, to the more recognizable wizard chess pieces from the series. The durable plastic set inspired by the film's iconic design allows fans to relive the excitement of the movie while enjoying the game without breaking the bank, making it a perfect gift for Harry Potter enthusiasts in 2025.

Best Star Wars Chess Sets

Best Star Wars Chess Set

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens Chess Set

1$59.99 See it

While there are no official rules for holochess from the Star Wars movie, fans can enjoy various themed chess sets. The Star Wars Saga Edition focuses on the original trilogy, featuring beloved characters like Chewbacca and Darth Vader in high-quality, detailed sculpts. Although currently out of stock, the Star Wars chess set from The Force Awakens offers a more affordable alternative.

Best The Lord of the Rings Chess Sets

HOYLE'S OF OXFORD Best LOTR Chess Set

3See it

Though chess isn't explicitly mentioned in Tolkien's works, its presence in Middle-earth is implied. Themed sets inspired by the medieval Lewis chessmen, like this set from Hoyle's of Oxford, feature iconic characters such as Aragorn and Sauron, officially approved by the Tolkien estate. For a more luxurious option, The Noble Collection's The Lord of The Rings - Chess Set: Battle for Middle-Earth, priced at nearly $500, is a collector's dream.

Best Travel Chess Set

Best Travel Chess Set

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Travel chess sets vary widely, but a simple folding sleeve with flat pieces often lacks the satisfaction of a standard set. The ChessHouse Leather Travel Magnetic Chess Set offers a compact, standard-format set with strong magnets to keep pieces in place, making it ideal for on-the-go play.

Best Giant Chess Set

MegaChess Large Chess Set

2See it at Amazon

For outdoor enthusiasts, the MegaChess Large Chess Set is a practical choice. With 12-inch tall pieces and a 4x4 ft mat, it's perfect for casual outdoor or indoor play and easy to store.

How to Play Chess

The Queen's Gambit, Beth Harmon (Played by Anya Taylor-Joy)

For beginners or those looking to refine their skills, Chess.com offers a comprehensive guide in seven steps, including video tutorials. Key aspects include:

• How to set up the chess board
• Understanding the pieces and their movements
• Special rules
• How to win
• Basic strategies

Mastery comes with practice.

How to Set Up a Chess Board

Setting Up a Chess Board | Image Credit: Getty

To prepare for a game:

• Position the board with a white square in the bottom right corner.
• Place pawns on the second row of each side.
• Arrange rooks in the corners, knights next to rooks, and bishops next to knights.
• Place the queen on the square matching her color, and the king on the remaining square next to the queen.

Now you're ready to play!

For more gaming options, explore our picks for:

Best Classic Board GamesBest War Games and Strategy GamesBest Family Board Games ...and board game deals and gift ideas for board gamers!