How to Choose the Best Chess Set for You

Your Guide to buying the best Chess

Overview

Chess is an exciting game that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, purchasing the right chess pieces and board is essential to getting the most out of your game. This buying guide will help you choose the right set for your needs, including an overview of materials, board sizes, and features to consider. We'll also provide a few tips and tricks to ensure you make an informed decision when selecting your chess set.

Key features

  1. Game Type: Consider whether you want a Chess set that is designed for tournament play, casual play, or a combination of the two.
  2. Board: Choose a board that is a suitable size and that has the right style for the type of Chess you are interested in. Consider whether you want a board with a traditional or contemporary design.
  3. Pieces: Think about the type of pieces that best fit the atmosphere of your game. Consider whether you want standard pieces, marble pieces, or novelty pieces.
  4. Materials: Look for pieces and boards that are made out of durable material such as wood, stone, metal, or plastic.
  5. Cost: Set a budget for yourself before you begin shopping. Decide how much you're willing to spend on the Chess set and try to stick to it.

See the most popular Chess on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Strategy and Planning: Chess is a game of strategy and planning that requires players to think several steps ahead to anticipate their opponent's moves.
  • Promotes Problem-Solving Skills: Chess helps to develop problem-solving skills, as players must determine the best move based on the position of the pieces.
  • Improves Concentration: Chess helps to improve concentration as it requires players to think and plan out their moves in order to succeed.
  • Excellent Social Activity: Chess is a great social activity that can be enjoyed by all ages.
  • Flexible Gameplay: Chess can be played in many different ways, from long, drawn-out games to quick, intense blitz matches.
  • Easy to Learn: Despite its complexity, Chess is relatively easy to learn and understand.

Cons

  • Cost: Chess equipment can be expensive, depending on the quality and type of pieces purchased.
  • Complexity: Chess requires a strong understanding of strategy and can be difficult to master.
  • Time: Games of chess can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
  • Storage: Chess pieces and boards can take up quite a bit of space when not in use.
  • Age: Chess can be a difficult game for young children who may not understand the rules or strategies.

Best alternatives

  1. Backgammon - A two-player board game where players roll dice and move pieces on a board to try and capture their opponents pieces.
  2. Go - An abstract strategy game that originated in China and is considered to be one of the oldest board games in the world.
  3. Mancala - A two-player game where players compete to collect the most stones or points on their side of the board.
  4. Checkers - A two-player game where each player moves their pieces across the board to try and capture their opponent's pieces.
  5. Chinese Chess - A two-player strategy game similar to Chess but with different pieces and rules.
  6. Stratego - A two-player game where each player has an army of pieces which they must move around the board to try and capture their opponents' flag.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

    Chess board – A flat board with 64 alternating squares of light and dark colors, used for playing the game of chess. Chess clock – A clock used to time each player's moves in a game of chess. Chess pieces – The playing pieces used in a game of chess, including one king, one queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks, and eight pawns. Chess notation pad – A pad of paper used to record the moves of a game of chess, traditionally used by players to study their games afterwards. Chess scorebook – A book used to record the moves of a game of chess, typically used by tournament players who are required to submit their games for rating. Chess set – A complete set of chess pieces and a board, typically made from wood or plastic. Chess computer – A computer designed to play chess, which typically includes a board and pieces that move automatically when the computer makes a move.

Common questions

  1. What pieces are necessary to play Chess? - Chess requires two players to each have one King, one Queen, two Rooks, two Knights, two Bishops, and eight Pawns.
  2. What is the objective of the game? - The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent's King, which means placing the King in a position where it cannot avoid capture.
  3. Are there different variants of Chess? - Yes, there are several variants of Chess, including Fischer Random Chess, Crazyhouse Chess, and Chess 960.
  4. Are there any accessories that may be helpful to have? - Yes, there are a variety of accessories that may be helpful to have, such as a Chess clock, a Chess set with weighted pieces, and a Chess computer.
  5. Are there any tips to help me get better at Chess? - Yes, there are many tips to help improve at Chess, such as studying openings, practising tactics, playing regularly, and playing against stronger opponents.

Trivia

Chess is a centuries-old game and it is said to have been invented by a mathematician in India. According to legend, the inventor was taken before the local ruler and asked to create a game that would convey the same experience as war. After a few months of work, the mathematician presented the game of chess. Impressed by the game, the ruler declared that the inventor could name his own reward. The inventor asked for one grain of rice for the first square of the chessboard, two for the second, four for the third, and so forth, doubling the amount with each new square. The ruler agreed, not realizing that the final reward would amount to more than 18 quintillion grains of rice. When the ruler realized he would not be able to pay, he threatened to cut off the mathematician’s head. The mathematician then proposed that the ruler could pay him with the grains of rice in installments, and the ruler agreed. This story has been told as a lesson in the importance of thinking through the consequences of one’s actions before making a decision. Source: https://www.chess.com/article/view/fun-facts-about-chess

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.