Are you a collector yourself? If not, try visiting a chess lover’s space. You will find it filled with different types of chess sets. But why so? Don’t all have the same kinds of pieces (pawns, knights, bishops, and others)? Well! That’s where the difference is. Not all sets are made the same, and they come in different materials, designs, and purposes.
But which one is right for me? Here, we will explore all those options and help you find the best chess set for you. So, whether you're a passionate player, a thoughtful gift-giver, or an avid collector, let’s explore the range of chess set types.
What is a Chess Set?
Before we jump further into the context, can you pause here for a minute and think of what makes a chess set? Some would say it’s a set of chessmen (pieces) while others would refer to it as a set of chess pieces and a board. And, both are correct on their part.
These chess sets have evolved a lot over time. Earlier, players used to play with stones and marbles as pieces on boards drawn on different surfaces. Slowly, wooden boards and pieces started making their way into the arena. In 1849, the Staunton design was adopted as a standard and is a testament to a functional and beautiful chess set since then.
However, the evolution didn’t stop there. Many more designs and materials like marbles, metals, and plastics joined the arena. Wondering which one to buy for your next chess expedition? Here, we will explore all those different types of chess sets, along with their uses and other details.
Why is Choosing the Right Type of Chess Set Important?
It is important to choose the right chess set. And if you ask why, the answer depends on how you plan to use it. For playing, the choice impacts accuracy, speed, and psychological comfort, influencing performance. Playing with an unfamiliar set would require you to focus more on piece recognition and movement. Heavier pieces offer extra stability and control, and visual clarity plays a role too.
And, if you are looking for one for decorative purposes, its style, material, and design should complement the space.
What are the Different Chess Set Types?
As discussed, the choice of the chess set matters; you should know your options to make an informed decision. The classification is done on various parameters, including the material, use case, style, and others. Now, let’s take a look at the choices.
Wooden Chess Sets
The traditional choice of professionals and casual players, wooden chess sets rank high in aesthetics and durability. You can find both functional and decorative types, made from hardwoods like ebony, maple, rosewood, mahogany, and boxwood. Staunton is the most esteemed design due to its being clear and distinguishable, and it was adopted as a standard for tournaments in 1849.
Zadar Series Modern Minimalist Chess Set
Metal Chess Sets
A modern take on the traditional wooden types, metal chess sets enhance your space with a lustrous visual upgrade. They beautifully fuse elegance, durability, and craftsmanship to create highly valued chess items. Naturally heavier, metal pieces enhance the playing experience. Metals make for amazing gifts and collectible options, especially when the pieces are hand-crafted and based on a theme.
Soviet Inspired Brass Metal Luxury Chess Pieces & Board Set
Marble Chess Sets
You won’t find a marble set in every chess store you visit. Or would you? Being one of the least common materials makes stone and marble chess sets more appealing to chess enthusiasts. They make for great display pieces and aren’t preferred for playing due to their fragile nature. Moreover, you will likely find every marble chess set different than the other due to naturally unique patterns of stones and marbles available.
Marble Stone Chess Pieces & Board Set with Inlay Handcrafted Work
Plastic Chess Sets
The affordability of the material makes plastic chess sets a common choice for informal games and training sessions. Although they lack the wood’s aesthetics and timeless charm, their transportability makes them a preferred choice for on-the-go games.
Staunton (or Traditional) Chess Sets
As mentioned earlier, Staunton is the gold standard in chess, recognized and adopted globally in 1849. The classic design and practical features make it a top contender for tournaments and competitions. Staunton chess sets come with distinctive knight heads, clearly distinguishable pieces, and a simple yet elegant design. And you can get one in your choice of materials, from wooden to metal and plastic.
Pro Staunton Weighted Wooden Chess Set - Golden Rosewood Pieces with 21" Board & Box
Travel (or Magnetic) Chess Sets
Do you love playing a game of chess while traveling? Keeping the pieces in place on a bumpy ride can be quite challenging. Travel chess sets, here, solve the issue by adding a magnetic pull between the board and pieces. Another characteristic that makes them travel-friendly is the small size of the boards. You can find magnetic travel chess sets, ranging from 5 inches to 10 and even 15 inches, that can be easily carried in a small bag or a backpack. Explore our collection to find a collection of wooden travel sets that tick both functionality and beauty segments.
10-inch Golden Rosewood, Magnetic Travel Chess set with Drawer
Folding Chess Sets (with storage)
Now, when you are travelling, where would you store your pieces? While a regular chess set would require you to carry a separate pouch or storage box, it will only add to the luggage. Getting a folding chess set brings the freedom with inbuilt storage to keep the pieces safe when not playing. And, guess what? You can get a folding chess set with magnetic pieces and a board, too.
Folding Wooden Magnetic Chess Set - 10"
Tournament (and Club) Chess Sets
You learned about Staunton being adopted as a standard for competitions. Is that all? Do all tournaments use only Staunton chess sets? Well! FIDE recommends Staunton style, but doesn’t necessitate it. The requirement is that the pieces should be distinguishable. Also, it lays down specifications for the size, base diameter, and color of the pieces in its handbook of standards. It requires the board to be made of wood for a world or continental top-level matches. Card or plastic boards can be used in other FIDE-registered tournaments. Here, you will find a selection of tournament chess sets that conform to these regulations.
Tournament Chess Set Combo with Golden Rosewood Pieces
Themed Chess Sets
This category covers probably the most extensive range, making choosing one more difficult. The earliest known records include chessmen (soldiers of the 64-square battlefield) being made in figural forms. Over centuries, the pieces and boards have developed with the imaginations of artists and designers as well as the cultural impacts of different societies and countries.
Here, you can find various designs based on themes like Dubrovnik, Staunton, Pre-Staunton, Lotus, Animal Kingdom, English Citadel, Bauhaus, and others. While each theme represents a particular era, culture, or event, you can choose one based on your personal preference and taste.
Luxury Chess Sets (and Collector Series)
From top-notch craftsmanship to high-end materials and exclusive designs, collectors love to own sets of this type. Here, you can find the types of chess sets in luxury woods like ebony and metals. Although appreciated for their functionality and beauty, these sets aren’t used for regular (casual) games. Owning one also serves as a status symbol for chess enthusiasts. You can explore our collection of luxury chess sets and find the right one for your style.
1849 Original Staunton Luxury Chess Set - Lacquered Distress Antiqued Boxwood & Ebony Pieces
Chess and Backgammon Gaming Sets
Do you often struggle finding an opponent for a game of chess? Here comes a multi-featured board game that doubles the fun. This is a 2-in-1 game comprising a board for chess on one side and backgammon on the other. And, if you don’t already know, backgammon is another classic 2-player board game with ancestors dating back around 1600 years. Interested? Check out the backgammon section to explore what’s in store for you.
2 in 1 Magnetic Travel Chess & Backgammon Set
Choosing the Right Chess Set Size
When buying a chess set, you will always see sizes mentioned for chess pieces in inches. Usually, these sizes are either king or the board. For the king, the size mentioned is its height, and for the board, it’s the length. Here, we will learn how to choose the right size based on how you are going to play.
Professional Chess Equipment Standards for Tournaments
For professional tournaments, authorities like FIDE have laid down 3.75 inches as a standard height for a chess king. While up to 10% variation is allowed, the king should be the tallest, and all other pieces in descending order of their height. Another consideration for a professional or tournament chess set is the style that is recommended to be Staunton.
Decorative Chess Sets for Display
Sets with Kings of 4 inches and higher are more impressive to the eye and are used for display. While the bigger pieces tend to be costlier, the carvings and other details are clearer. Usually, the knight is the most detailed chess piece in terms of carvings and features. Chess lovers usually buy these decorative chess sets to display their possessions and love for chess art.
Chess Sets for Casual Games
And then, there are sets for regular gaming, often termed as casual or regular chess sets. These can have king sizes less than 3.75 inches, which go as low as 2 inches. Here, the choice depends on your personal preference, playing style, and the environment. If you have a small space, looking for a pocket-friendly set that you can take to places, or one for the kid in your house to learn chess, go for smaller pieces. For on-the-go gamers, we also have folding and magnetic chess sets that let you enjoy a game on bumpy rides and keep pieces secure while moving.
Final Thoughts
Each chess set tells a different story. Whether you’re gearing up for your next tournament, decorating your living room, or planning a thoughtful gift, there’s a set that fits the bill. If you're in the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, or India, make sure to explore options that balance quality, aesthetics, and utility. And when you have made up your mind to buy a chess set, visit royalchessmall.com to explore the best, as acclaimed by chess lovers worldwide.
