Top 11 Chess Sets to Purchase Now

Chess, renowned as one of the world's most popular board games, captivates players with its blend of art, science, and sport. The surge in popularity following Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit only reaffirmed its timeless appeal. Chess is deceptively simple to learn yet offers profound strategic depth, ensuring players can continually improve throughout their lives. It's no surprise that many enjoy having a chess set at home, not just for play but as an elegant piece of decor that invites one to engage in this intellectual pursuit.

Choosing the right chess set, however, involves more than just picking up any option from a toy store. A quality set enhances the playing experience and ensures durability. For instance, better-quality plastic and wood pieces often contain weights, providing the necessary heft for a satisfying game. Additionally, choosing colors with good contrast, such as green and white squares instead of traditional black and white, can significantly improve visibility during play.

No matter your budget or preferred material, our curated selection of the best chess sets caters to all tastes and requirements.

Best Basic Chess Set

Weighted Gambit Plastic Set

LONDON CHESS CENTRE Best Basic Chess Set

3$26.98 at chess.co.uk

When seeking a basic yet quality chess set, the Weighted Gambit Plastic Set is an excellent choice. It strikes the perfect balance between affordability and playability, ideal for those who appreciate a lifelong game. This set, commonly found in schools and chess clubs, features weighted pieces for stability and comfort, and a convenient roll-up vinyl board for portability. The green and white squares enhance visual contrast, making it easier to distinguish pieces during play. It's no wonder it's reputed to be the most popular plastic chess set worldwide.

Best Wooden Chess Set

High-Quality & Hand-Carved

For traditionalists, wood remains the material of choice for chess sets. While many wooden sets offer quality and contrast, the hand-carved Dubrovnik II from Slovenia stands out as a masterpiece. Inspired by the pieces used in the 1950 Chess Olympiad, this set, beloved by champions like Bobby Fischer, combines classic design with modern touches. Although you'll need to wait until 2025 for the original, Royal Chess Mall's 1950s Reproduction Fischer Dubrovnik Chess Set is a readily available and affordable alternative, featuring light boxwood and mahogany-gilded dark pieces for an authentic experience.

Best Wooden Chess Set

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Best Glass Chess Set

For Elegant Design and Decor Appearance

Gamie Best Glass Chess Set

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Glass chess sets, while delicate, add a touch of elegance to any space. The Gamie set is our top pick, offering larger, well-designed pieces and thoughtful details like felt feet and a storage box. Its clear and frosted elements create a clean, modern look that's perfect for both play and display.

Best Marble Chess Set

For a Luxurious Set at a Higher Budget

Italfama Best Marble Chess Set

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Marble chess sets exude luxury but require careful handling due to their fragility. The Italfama set, while not available in the ideal black and pink palette for U.S. buyers, remains a top choice for its quality. For U.K. residents, the Italfama Black and Pink Marble Chess Set offers a stunning contrast, enhancing gameplay while maintaining the marble's warm aesthetic.

Italfama Marble Chess Set

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Best Lego Chess Set

Fun for the Whole Family

LEGO Traditional Chess Set

1See it at LEGO

Themed chess sets can be a hit or miss, but the LEGO Traditional Chess Set perfectly captures the essence of both worlds. Constructed from LEGO bricks, this set offers the joy of building and playing, making it a unique and engaging option for the whole family.

Best Harry Potter Chess Set

Fit for a Wizard

Best Harry Potter Chess Set

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For fans of the wizarding world, a Harry Potter-themed set is a must-have. While character-based sets can be costly and confusing, the wizard chess set inspired by the film's iconic design offers a more recognizable and affordable alternative. This durable plastic set adds a touch of magic to every game, making it a perfect gift for Potter enthusiasts in 2025.

Best Star Wars Chess Sets

Top Pick: Star Wars Saga Edition

Best Star Wars Chess Set

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens Chess Set

1$59.99 See it

Star Wars fans have plenty of themed chess sets to choose from, with the Saga Edition focusing on the beloved original trilogy. Although currently out of stock, its detailed sculpts and high-quality plastic make it a standout choice. For a more budget-friendly option, the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Chess Set is a solid alternative.

Best The Lord of the Rings Chess Sets

HOYLE'S OF OXFORD Best LOTR Chess Set

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The Lord of the Rings offers a rich backdrop for themed chess sets, and the set by Hoyle's of Oxford captures this beautifully. With cold-cast sculpts and an antique wash, this set features iconic characters like Aragorn and Sauron, officially approved by the Tolkien estate. It's an excellent choice for fans of both the series and the game.

Another LOTR Winner (With a Higher Price Tag)

For those seeking a collector's item, The Noble Collection's The Lord of The Rings - Chess Set: Battle for Middle-Earth is a luxurious option, albeit at a hefty price of nearly $500.

Best Travel Chess Set

ChessHouse Leather Travel Magnetic Chess Set

Best Travel Chess Set

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Travel chess sets need to balance portability with playability. The ChessHouse Leather Travel Magnetic Chess Set excels in this regard, offering a standard-format board and pieces with strong magnets for secure play on the go. Its compact size and stylish pouch make it an excellent choice for chess enthusiasts on the move.

For alternative travel chess options around the same price, see:

Under $50 Under $40 Under $30

Best Giant Chess Set

MegaChess Large Chess Set

MegaChess Large Chess Set

2See it at Amazon

Giant chess sets add a fun twist to outdoor gatherings. The MegaChess set, with its 12-inch tall pieces and 4x4 ft mat, is a practical choice for both indoor and outdoor play, easily storable in a shed or garage.

How to Play Chess

For beginners or those looking to refine their skills, Chess.com offers a comprehensive guide in seven steps, including a video breakdown. Key aspects to master include setting up the board, understanding piece movements, special rules, winning strategies, and, most importantly, practice.

How to Set Up a Chess Board

Before diving into the game, setting up the board correctly is crucial:

• Orient the board so there's a white square on the bottom right.
• Place a line of pawns on the second row of each side.
• Position rooks in each corner behind the pawns, followed by knights next to each rook, bishops next to knights, and leave two empty squares behind the pawns for the queen (on her color) and king.

With your board set up, you're ready to embark on the strategic journey of chess. For more gaming inspiration, explore our picks for:

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