Chess, a timeless game cherished for its strategic complexity, has captivated minds across the globe. While its rules are relatively easy to grasp, the game's strategic complexity makes it a captivating pursuit. Beyond being a mere contest of winning, chess embodies art, science, and sports elements, offering a rich and multifaceted experience. In this article, we delve into the realm of the most popular chess pieces available today, examining their designs, craftsmanship, and the stories they tell.
What are the Most Popular Chess Pieces?
Having the best chess pieces is essential because chess games can last anywhere from a minute to several hours. Although the board and the pieces are essential components of any chess set, their styles and quality vary. Chess pieces gain popularity based on criteria like the quality of material used, design and craftsmanship, weight of pieces, etc. Keeping all this in mind, we have sorted the following chess pieces in our top 10 most popular chess pieces that you can have at your home.
- Parker Staunton Chess Pieces
- Grazing Knight Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
- Prestige Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
- Turkish Tower Pre-Staunton Chess Pieces
- Arthur Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
- Napoleon Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
- Avant Garde Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
- Alexandria Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
- Stallion Staunton Luxury Chess Pieces
- St. George Pre-Staunton Calvert Chess Pieces
The Top 10 Most Popular Chess Pieces
1. Parker Staunton Chess Pieces
Skilled carvers have carved exquisite designs into each piece. After that, a fire gun was used to give the chess pieces a burned appearance. After that, a glossy lacquer varnish is applied to the set. The total weight of chess pieces is 2.43 lbs. i.e. 1100 grams.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 chess pieces with 2 Extra Queens. Chess pieces are made of lacquered burnt boxwood. Here are the dimensions of these pieces.
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 3.9" (100mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Queen | 3.2" (81mm) | 1.6" (40mm) |
| Bishop | 2.9" (74mm) | 1.4" (36mm) |
| Knight | 2..7" (68mm) | 1.4" (36mm) |
| Rook | 2.3" (58mm) | 1.4" (36mm) |
| Pawn | 1.9" (47mm) | 1.2" (30mm) |
2. Grazing Knight Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
The Grazing Knight Series is an ambitious effort by artisans to produce one of the most unique chessman designs ever created. The knight looks like a horse grazing in his pastures, while the chess pieces have notably twisted shanks. From the king to the pawn, every piece of the army is expertly crafted using heirloom quality materials, demonstrating the highest level of love and care. This makes the Grazing Knight luxury Staunton chess pieces rank second among the most popular chess pieces.
- Chess Pieces - 34 Chess pieces made of lacquered ebony wood / lacquered boxwood. Total weight of chess pieces 4.2 lbs. (1900 grams). Here is a look at the dimensions.
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.3" (110mm) | 1.8" (46mm) |
| Queen | 4.1" (104mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Bishop | 3.5" (88mm) | 1.6" (40mm) |
| Knight | 3.3" (84mm) | 1.6" (40mm) |
| Rook | 2.8" (70mm) | 1.5" (39mm) |
| Pawn | 2.4" (61mm) | 1.3" (33mm) |
3. Prestige Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
In the list of most popular chess piece styles, next comes Prestige luxury Staunton chess pieces. Boasting full club-sized, luxurious pieces, this set features magnificent knights with attractive snouts and flowing manes. Hand-carved by expert artisans, each piece is a testament to durability and craftsmanship, promising decades of chess enjoyment. Treat yourself to opulence with the Prestige series.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 chess pieces made of ebony wood / boxwood. Total Weight Of Chess Pieces 4.7 lbs. (2100 grams). Take a look at the dimensions now:
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.6" (118mm) | 1.9" (48mm) |
| Queen | 4.1" (105mm) | 1.8" (45mm) |
| Bishop | 3.6" (90mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Knight | 3.1" (79mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Rook | 2.7" (68mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Pawn | 2.5" (63mm) | 1.4" (35mm) |
4. Turkish Tower Pre-Staunton Chess Pieces
Embracing old Turkish architectural designs, the Turkish Tower Chess Pieces stand as a testament to Indian artisans' exquisite craftsmanship. The intricate carvings and replication of pre-Staunton designs from around 1700 make this set a potential family heirloom. With a nod to history, these pieces offer both aesthetic appeal and a connection to the game's rich heritage.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 chess pieces made of Camel Bone. Total weight of chess pieces 1.9 lbs. (850 grams). The dimensions and their aesthetics are given below:
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.6" (118mm) | 1.4" (37mm) |
| Queen | 4.3" (109mm) | 1.4" (36mm) |
| Bishop | 3.7" (94mm) | 1.2" (31mm) |
| Knight | 3.4" (87mm) | 1.2" (31mm) |
| Rook | 3.1" (77mm) | 1.2" (31mm) |
| Pawn | 2.5" (65mm) | 1.1" (27mm) |
5. Arthur Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
Named after the legendary British leader King Arthur, the Arthur Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces exude regality. Carved from premium Boxwood and Bud Rosewood, these full club-sized pieces feature stunning knights with lovely flowing manes reminiscent of derby horses. This set is a nod to history and a celebration of the game's timeless allure.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 Chess pieces made of Bud Rosewood / Boxwood. Total weight of chess pieces 5.62 lbs. (2550 grams). Here is a look at the detailed dimensions.
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.6" (116mm) | 1.9" (48mm) |
| Queen | 3.9" (100mm) | 1.8" (45mm) |
| Bishop | 3.7" (93mm) | 1.7" (43mm) |
| Knight | 3.1" (78mm) | 1.6" (41mm) |
| Rook | 2.8" (70mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Pawn | 2.6" (65mm) | 1.5" (37mm) |
6. Napoleon Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
Honoring the renowned French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, the Napoleon Luxury Staunton Chess Set is a masterpiece of carving. With meticulous attention to detail, the chessmen bring the ruler and queen to life while the creative knights stand ready for battle. Polished to an outstanding luster, this set showcases the extraordinary skills of the artisans.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 Chess pieces made of Bud Rosewood / Boxwood. Total weight of chess pieces 5.03 lbs. (2280 grams). Check out the dimensions of these chess pieces.
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.3" (108mm) | 1.9" (49mm) |
| Queen | 3.8" (97mm) | 1.8" (46mm) |
| Bishop | 3.3" (85mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Knight | 3.4" (86mm) | 1.7" (43mm) |
| Rook | 2.6" (67mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Pawn | 2.3" (59mm) | 1.5" (37mm) |
7. Avant Garde Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
A daring foray into experimental design, the Avant Garde luxury Staunton chess pieces offer a unique aesthetic. From the king with a simple profile to the queen with five points on her crown, each piece reflects heirloom craftsmanship. The exquisite bishop, creative knight, distinctive rook, and lovely pawn further elevate this high-end, luxurious chess set.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 Chess pieces made of Bud Rosewood / Boxwood. Total weight of chess pieces 5 lbs. (2250 grams). The detailed dimensions include.
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.6" (117mm) | 1.9" (48mm) |
| Queen | 4.0" (102mm) | 1.7" (44mm) |
| Bishop | 3.5" (88mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Knight | 3.1" (78mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Rook | 2.8" (72mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Pawn | 2.4" (62mm) | 1.3" (34mm) |
8. Alexandria Luxury Staunton Chess Pieces
Inspired by the famous Greek army of King Alexander, the Alexandria Luxury Chessmen feature a centerpiece knight with an elegantly styled mane and sculpted snout. Hand-turned and carved by skilled artisans, each piece boasts heirloom-quality craftsmanship. This design appeals to even the most discerning collectors, showcasing meticulous sculpting with the finest exotic woods.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 Chess pieces made of Bud Rosewood / Boxwood. Total weight of chess pieces 5 lbs. (2250 grams). Here are the detailed dimensions of these chess pieces.
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.4" (111mm) | 1.9" (49mm) |
| Queen | 3.7" (93mm) | 1.8" (45mm) |
| Bishop | 3.3" (83mm) | 1.7" (43mm) |
| Knight | 3.1" (79mm) | 1.6" (41mm) |
| Rook | 2.6" (66mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Pawn | 2.5" (64mm) | 1.5" (38mm) |
9. Stallion Staunton Luxury Chess Pieces
Exemplifying one of the most popular chess piece styles, the Stallion Staunton Luxury Chess Pieces draw inspiration from the magnificent horses of a royal wedding. The knights, crafted to resemble these regal creatures, and the skillfully crafted rooks with castle-like minarets showcase the artisans' dedication. A glossy, long-lasting shine adds to the allure of this wonderfully made chess set.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 chess pieces made of Ebony / Boxwood. The total weight of chess pieces is 4.5 lbs. (2050 grams). Take a look at their dimensions:
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.1" (105mm) | 1.8" (45mm) |
| Queen | 3.9" (98mm) | 1.7" (42mm) |
| Bishop | 3.3" (83mm) | 1.6" (40mm) |
| Knight | 3.1" (78mm) | 1.6" (40mm) |
| Rook | 2.6" (65mm) | 1.6" (40mm) |
| Pawn | 2.4" (62mm) | 1.3" (34mm) |
10. St. George Pre-Staunton Calvert Chess Pieces
Last but not least in our most popular chess pieces list is St. George Pre-Staunton Calvert chess pieces, inspired by the renowned St. George chess club in England. Crafted by John Calvert, this design, popular in the pre-Staunton era, reflects exceptional quality. Meticulously aged to simulate a patina, these chessmen exhibit significant ballast, providing stability on the chessboard—a true heirloom-quality set.
- Chess Pieces - The chess set is composed of 34 Chess pieces made of Bud Rosewood / Boxwood. The total weight of chess pieces is 3.2 lbs. (1440 grams). Check out the detailed dimensions below.
| Piece Name | Height | Base |
| King | 4.3" (108mm) | 1.4" (35mm) |
| Queen | 3.5" (90mm) | 1.4" (35mm) |
| Bishop | 2.9" (73mm) | 1.2" (31mm) |
| Knight | 2.9" (73mm) | 1.2" (30mm) |
| Rook | 2.2" (55mm) | 1.2" (30mm) |
| Pawn | 1.9" (48mm) | 1.0" (26mm) |
Summing Up
Choosing a chess piece is a nuanced decision influenced by factors like material quality, design, and craftsmanship. The curated list of the top 10 most popular chess pieces presented here showcases a range of styles and inspirations. Whether you are a seasoned player or an avid collector, these chess pieces are available for purchase at Royal Chess Mall, offering a diverse selection of chess sets, boards, and pieces. Immerse yourself in the art, legacy, and classic elegance of chess with Royal Chess Mall, your gateway to the world of chess. Visit now to explore and acquire your preferred chess set.
