This informative, photo-rich guide is packed with tips and knowledge to help you understand and clarify your interest in chess sets while offering advice and assistance along the way.
Youll learn things you didnt know about chess sets as you tap into experience and knowledge condensed into this 20 page quick-read guide. Explore answers to top questions asked by people just like you.
Learn about standards and sizes to consider
Valuable ideas for your first chess set
How to choose a perfect size chess set
Hit it big with giant chess at your party
Ideas for Parents. Choose a chess set for home, school, and learning
The ideal
chess set for kids
Tournament chess sets and what to consider
Upgrading your chess set
Fun ideas
for home dcor and anniversaries
What types of wood pieces should I consider?
How do I care for my chess set?
How to match a chess board for your pieces
What are weighted pieces? When are they desirable?
Is my chess set rare or valuable?
I write this guide to help you explore chess for the first time, reacquaint yourself with whats new, or simply to answer your questions about chess sets for yourself, your friends, relatives, and especially your own children.
This guide is revised periodically (current 3rd Edition 7/22/2008) with the latest knowledge and helpful tips.
If you are a
chess player
parent
grandparent
wedding planner
educator
teacher
busy professional
or
chess nut
youll benefit from reading or glancing through this guide!
Unless youre a collector, you do not have to spend thousands of dollars on a chess set!
This guide gives you info you can consider to help make a good choice. Without this info, the variety of chess set styles and options could overwhelm you like OfficeMaxs pen and pencil isle.
I want this guide to HELP you... not sell something you don't need. When you buy a chess set, I want you to know you're getting what you want!
Writing this guide has been fun.
Tap into the expertise and insights I've compiled for you as you learn essentials and tips, exploring your first or fifth chess set!
I hope you find answers and enjoy this valuable knowledge. I trust this guide will ultimately help you save time and money in choosing a chess set you'll use for years.
Speaking of saving time and money, if you order anything from ChessHouse.com after reading this guide, you have my 100% guarantee.
Lets get started :-)
Standards among chess sets have developed over the years. Official regulation standards of size and style are common to tournaments, clubs, scholastic chess, home-study, and personal use. This means that if you know these standards you can own a chess set that will be accepted ANYWHERE and be a long lasting chess set for your home. |
|
Generally, the King is 3 tall and the chessboard square size is 2 , usually 20 square in all. Most often the pieces will be solid plastic or with extra weight, and the chess board green and white. This standard in the United Status is known as the club chess set. As a home study chess set, its ideal for parents who want to jump-start their child's chess enthusiasm with a solid, practical set. An all-purpose chess set, the club set is relied upon by thousands of scholastic players, club players, and high level tournament players for official US Chess Federation rated tournaments and non-regulated chess instruction. |
|
Sizes to consider
Chess sets vary in size from tiny to giant. Less than tall to over
2 feet tall! The chess sets size is the dimensions of the chessboard and the height of the King piece. Both together help you estimate the size. Here are the sizes and what theyre for
Pocket
chess sets (3-6 chessboard) are usually very flat, designed to fit in your
shirt or pant pocket.
Travel
chess sets (5-12 chessboard) can easily be carried, fit inside luggage, and
played while traveling.
Folding
chess sets (5-20 chessboard) Most pocket and travel sets fold to help you
store pieces inside the board.
Analysis
chess sets (8-14 chessboard) are usually a miniature of the club chess
set and help you study and review games when you dont need a full size set.
Tournament
chess sets (20-22 chessboard) Usually 20, these are comfortably sized for
hours of concentration. Giant chess sets (12-25 King, 9 ft chessboard) these are for use indoors or outdoors and are fun for events, attractions, parks, backyards, etc. (more on giant chess later) Youll learn more about these different sizes and what they are for as you continue through this guide. |
|
Travel
size chess sets
You can pack travel sets in a shirt pocket, purse, briefcase, or alongside your laptop. When choosing a Travel chess set, good features to consider are strong magnets and a case that can close for storage with your chess position still in place on the board. This way you can continue playing where you left off. Three dimensional pieces are usually preferred over flat magnet style because they are easier to grasp and move. Also, most people find real pieces are less confusing then small printed pieces. It depends on your taste. Here is an example of a mini 8" x 8" chess set with small 3D pieces and strong magnets: the Drueke Travel Chess Set. It incorporates all the above mentioned benefits: you can save and continue playing your game later, its plastic case is tough enough to stand on, and it is many chess players first choice. |
3/7/2008 OK, my wife
got me one of your Drueke Magnetic Chess Sets as a gift. When I got it I was
amazed! I expected this kind of cardboard box like I had in the early 1970's
(also a Drueke) but this one was made of hard plastic and much better
stability for the pieces. Thank you very much. I am using it as a study chess
set. Yes, at the age of 57, I am still studying and learning! Great set.
Thanks. Roger Vancouver, WA
|
Getting even smaller, one of the SMALLEST practical chess sets is the "checkbook" size magnetic set. The pieces are flat, engraved, magnetic pieces. Overall it's a clever design that basically looks and feels like a checkbook. |
|
Hit
it big with giant chess at your party
Theres nothing quite like giant chess to entertain your guests at the party! There are so many creative uses. Its completely up to your imagination! 25 inches tall is the perfect size to be super fun, manageable, and easy to store. For a fun project, design and lay checkered tiles in your backyard or paint squares on your patio. Or keep it completely portable with a nylon quick-fold chess mat thats 9 foot square. |
|
Valuable
ideas for your first chess set
As a minimum, everyone should own an unbreakable, solid plastic, basic club chess set. They are all-purpose, very inexpensive, and ideal for all ages. Youll appreciate its rugged durability. Everyone recognizes the club chess set. Its ideal for learning or practice, and its the building-block of chess learning and competition. Plus, if you get solid plastic quality pieces, they will last for 10+ years. Oddly, these sets just arent sold by your big chain stores or even local game store. You pretty much have to shop online to find these. AND, if you ever lose a piece from the club chess set, you can just ask ChessHouse to mail you a FREE piece replacement. Its easy to accessorize, and while you really only need the club chess set, its 20 size and 3 pieces make it standard for easy storage in travel chess bags. I also recommend that you spend the extra couple dollars for the club chess set with the US-made vinyl chess board. This cloth backed vinyl is slightly thicker and resists curling better. The only reason curling is a factor is that vinyl chessboards are almost always rolled up for storage. Obviously you need a good quality vinyl to ensure that after a few months in storage it will uncurl and lay flat. |
|
Thoughts
for parents
|
|
The
ideal chess set for kids
Once again, its the club chess set. Its ideal for chess class, practicing with fellow students, and competing at the club or scholastic meet. Children easily become familiar with this set, so its a good idea to introduce them to the set they will use if they ever play in a scholastic chess tournament. Even if you never plan to send your kids to chess class, this style chess set is still what you should consider for at home. Its basically indestructible. And.. if you ever lose or break a piece, just ask and well replace it for FREE. We recommend getting a carrying case for your chess set. The case will keep all 32 pieces and the roll-up chessboard together in zippered storage. See chess equipment for more ideas. |
|
|
|
Tournament
chess sets and what to consider
Stating the obvious, the club chess set is again whats most common and, may I say, what you really should be using in a tournament. Most tournaments will have the chess sets already set up and ready to play. After you complete your match, you just set up the game for the next round. But you should always bring your chess set anyway so you can practice or review between matches. Clubs usually have chess sets provided, but not always. So be sure to bring your own set. ALWAYS use a traditional style chess set no themed pieces, red or black pieces, or anything non-standard, unusual, etc. Players expect the standard set and youll stand out as a newbie if you come with something weird or unusual. |
3/11/2008 I got my 2
items so quickly and I live in Japan.
The packing was well done and the items fit the description from your
pictures really well. Thank you. I really appreciate your international
shipping function and it is very well priced. Joe Japan |
You MAY, however, bring a nice set of traditional, correctly sized (3 or 4) wood chessmen and offer to play with wood instead! No one has a right to make fun of you, and many times your opponent will jump at the opportunity to play on your nice wooden chess pieces. Just keep in mind, that in real competition, a chess game may get fast and furious near the end if player's times are running low :), so your set must be able to take the heat of battle! |
|
Chess
set upgrades to impress yourself and your friends
Many chess players, young and old, like to upgrade their club chess set to a heavier or more stylish variety. By the way, each one of these chess sets works great on the same chessboard as the club chess set. Several interesting possibilities exist. Here are a few and the reasons to consider each one.
Hastings
High detail, fierce looking knight (horse), very stylish yet traditional.
Heavily weighted. A wild upgrade and great looking chessmen. Includes two
extra queens
Collector
High-end plastic pieces with distinct styling by House of Staunton. Heavily
weighted with collector drawstring bag. Includes two extra queens
Executive
Staunton mid-grade quality, large, heavy, and robust. Heavy weighted,
massive set for low cost fun for blitz chess. Includes two extra queens.
Ultimate
distinctly suitable for Blitz chess, or speed chess. Low center of
gravity, heavy weights, and great, smooth feel thats easy to grasp and
slide. Match it with a wood board for the ultimate experience. Extra queens
not available.
Paladin
Rugged, nicely weighted and balanced for tournament play. Styled after a
popular chess set from the 70s. Not quite as durable as some. Also comes
with two extra queens. Heavy Tournament Chess Pieces the club chess pieces with extra weight. Low cost, easy way to increase the weight and feel of your chessmen. With two extra queens (Keep in mind: plastic mold lines are normal, yet generally the more expensive the set, the less noticeable. Also, Staunton refers to the most common style, including all the above.) |
(Hastings) (Executive) (Ultimate) (Paladin) (Heavy Tournament Pieces) |
Soon well cover wooden chess sets, but first, lets talk about Theme chess sets fun for
home decor and gift-giving
Theme chess sets are fun and interesting and can make exciting birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, and Christmas presents. Most theme sets are made of polystone. Polystone is a compound made up largely of polyurethane resin mixed with powdered stone additives that give it added weight and the porcelain or "stone-like" feel that resulted in the materials name itself. Polystone is durable and highly effective at maintaining a sharp paint finish. Unlike porcelain which is fired in an oven, Polystone is a cold-cast material in which no heat is used in the manufacturing process, resulting in much greater variations of paint finish. Therefore polystone lends to a cleaner, more detailed set of chess pieces. At ChessHouse you will find a great variety of interesting theme chess sets. Beautiful and highly detailed Studio Anne Carlton chess sets originate in the United Kingdom. SAC creates a wonderful array of theme chess sets from the Isle of Lewis, to Lord of the Rings, Winnie the Pooh, Civil War, famous battles, and of course Sherlock Homes among many others. |
|
Lighthearted and fun Whitetail Deer Hunters vs. Elk Hunters set captures the American outdoors. Look close and youll notice our Minnesota designer has a fresh sense of humor and wonderful talent in characterizing these animals and their hunters. |
|
To remember loved ones serving in the armed forces, various military chess sets feature the Marines, Air Force, Army, and Navy. |
|
Surprising a loved one or completing a decor becomes possible with so many unique, weird, original or fun chess sets from around the world. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination Medieval Civil War Revolutionary War Cops and Robbers Pirates Cowboys and Indians African wild animals Cats and dogs Dinosaurs Endangered Species Bears Seabirds Jazz Band Police and Firemen Aborigines Teddy Bears Barnyard animals Alamo Crusades Napoleon and Wellington British and French Battle of Troy Robin Hood Joan of Arc World War II Football Hockey Golf Basketball Oriental Egyptian Roman Native America Fantasy Historical Nautical European And now, lets begin exploring |
3/24/2008 Krista, I
wanted to let you know that I did get my order right on time and just when
you said I would and I love the set! Its beautiful so detailed and
intricately formed. Its exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much! Claire Fountain Hills, AZ
|
Wooden
Chess Sets
The variety of wooden chess sets available can become overwhelming. With this in mind, I will keep this section very brief, just covering the essentials. Beyond this, you are invited to explore for yourself. There are several great reasons to own wood chess sets, besides their traditional desirability: Enhance playing experience Customize your style Expand choice with wood varieties and hues Value and collectability |
|
Choosing
a wooden chess set you can also feel comfortable playing
Rosewood (dark reddish brown) and Boxwood (very light wood) sets are perfect for both display and use. Many of them will come at a price thats affordable enough to warrant playing with the set ($75-200). Drueke is an American based manufacturer of wood chess boards and games. They create some of the most affordable wood chess sets that are a pleasure to play and put on display in the home. Sometimes you can even get a matching combination of wood chess board, pieces, and storage box. Any board 15 or larger up to 23 will be comfortable to play any time. The pieces for these will range from 2 tall to 4 tall. |
|
More
types of chess set woods
Some common woods from which chess sets are carved are:
Ebony
a very dark, dense, and expensive black wood, sometimes with a dark brown
tinge. Ebony chess sets are sought after by collectors and theyre readily
available from companies like ChessHouse. But they do demand a premium.
Ebonized
Since ebony is so desirable as a classic deep black finish, Ebonized chess sets
were developed which are made out of different woods and therefore less
expensive. However they are lacquered, painted, or varnished to appear like
Ebony.
Boxwood
an inexpensive, yet colorful light wood. Many light color chess pieces are
made of boxwood for its hardness and sandy-yellow contrasting color. Shishamwood This light wood (not pictured) is very typical for less expensive chess sets since the wood is abundantly available in India, one of the worlds major producers of chess sets. The wood is very suitable for chess pieces since it comes in a variety of shades suitable for both the light and dark pieces. |
|
Answers
to top Questions
How
do I care for my Chess Set or board?
That really depends on which set you own. Generally, plastic sets dont need extra care, but they do need a pouch, case, or bag to keep all 32 or 34 pieces together. Wood sets should be kept away from small pets. They will chew on them like a bone. Getting replacement pieces can be possible, but a real hassle. Be sure to store them in a case, or box out of reach of toddlers and of course, your puppy. Glass, marble, stone, onyx sets are mostly for display, but you can play a game now and then. Be sure to protect your set or place out of reach when youre not playing. Roll-up style chess boards should be rolled with the board's squares to the outside! This will prevent the board curling upwards and tipping your pieces when in use again. |
|
What
makes a chess set valuable?
Topping the list, Jaques chess sets are the most expensive at several thousand dollars each. Both rarity and design detail are factors that influence value. In general however, a chess sets workmanship can be seen in the knights (horses) on the chess set. It is a great indicator of the level of detail. Pay attention to the mane, eyes, and head. Some knights are "bridled" This refers to a hand carved bridle - a rare, exquisite detail that lends to extra detail and desirability. Search "bridled." Of course, the wood's rarity and richness also influences the value of the set. Remember Ebony, one of the fine woods. |
|
How
to match a chess board for your pieces
Chess set experts agree that the base of the King should be 3/4 of the square size. Yes, it's really that simple!! If this particular size can't be found, feel free to err on the side of enlarging the board square by 1/8". Just don't choose a smaller square size than recommended or you risk crowding the pieces. It's important to know the King's "base size" to match a chessboard with the set. Here's a more detailed explanation. The accepted standard is that the chess set King's base diameter be 78% of the chessboard square width. Visualize this example: You have a chessboard with 2" Squares. The King's base should be about 1 1/2" (about 75% of 2"). Here's another example: You have chess pieces with a 1.75" King base. 1.75" divided by .78 = approximately 2 1/4". Applying the +1/8" rule, the 2 1/2" square chessboard will also be an acceptable choice. |
piece base = 75% board square (approximate) |
What
are weighted pieces? When are they desirable?
The trouble with many run-of-the-mill plastic chess sets is that theyre hollow! There's virtually no weight to them at all so any breeze will upset your game in an instant. Fortunately when you buy from a chess store those sets aren't even available. Most everything, especially the plastic "club chess sets" are molded from solid plastic - and therefore weighted by default. What about extra weight? Any time a chess set mentions "weighted" or "extra weighted", you can be sure that the set will be quite a bit heavier since every piece will have extra weights added to the solid plastic. Weighted chess sets are sought after by club and tournament players since they offer a much better feel and have greater stability on the board. |
|
Is
my chess set rare or valuable?
Thats a common question sometimes hard to answer. If the set is obsolete or one-of-a-kind, the only way to know for sure is to test the market demand. One clever way to research this is by searching active auctions on Ebay. If you have an Ebay account, you can also do a completed auctions search possibly revealing much more data or even a similar item to yours and how much the market was willing to pay. Otherwise, the only way to know the value would be to sell it or auction it off. |
|
*** TIP #1 *** *** Tip #2 *** If you love fast chess (Blitz chess), we tried and tested many sets and discovered what is, in our opinion, the perfect blitz set. The Ultimate Chess Set won out for its center of gravity test (outstanding anti-tip resilience), superior touch, and weighting. It also has thick, easy-sliding felts, ideal for vinyl (and especially wood chessboards). *** TIP #3 *** *** TIP #4 *** *** TIP #5 *** Some chess sets are available with extra queens. It adds to the desirability of a set of chessmen. The reasoning is that it lets you promote a pawn to another queen without having to borrow from another set or improvise a piece to be queen. *** TIP #6 *** *** TIP #7 *** *** TIP #8 *** Theme chess sets are fun, decorative and generally dont play as well as traditional style sets. How do you know if a Pomeranian puppy or Siamese kitty is the bishop or pawn? J The owner of a theme set can play an occasional game, but most often they are intended for display. One can shop for hundreds of sets themed after dogs, cats, sports, military, etc. *** TIP #9 *** *** TIP #10 *** Most Fine wood chess sets range in price from $100-$400. For most of us, a very nice wood chess set can be purchased for $100 or less. At this price range youll feel better about actually using it. *** TIP #11 *** *** TIP #12 *** *** TIP #13 *** *** Tip #14 *** In the event you wish to use a wood chess set in club or competition play, youll need to make sure its approximately 3 tall (plus or minus ) and that its of a traditional Staunton appearance (most plastic club chess sets are a good representation of traditional Staunton style). *** Tip #15 *** Club chess sets are all purpose. If you need something that will work for every occasion, choose a club chess set. *** TIP #16 *** *** TIP #17 *** Dont be confused by the terminology chess set. This phrase is often used interchangeably to mean both the chess pieces and board or just an entire set of chessmen without a board. *** TIP #18 *** |
4/17/2008 Thank you for supporting the men and
women in uniforms. Rick, US Military 5/15/2008 Krista, Thanks for the initial heads-up and the quick responses. I
definitely appreciate the attention. Felix Mountain View, CA 5/5/2008 Every company claims to have both great customer service and
return policy. The Chess house actually does. Recently you helped me choose
two chess sets. After they arrived I realized I had not adequately explained
what I was looking for in a chess set. My first thought was I would be stuck
with a chess set I did not want. I was wrong!
Greg, Wisconsin 4/14/2008 Hi Just to let you know that the chess
set I ordered has arrived (brown and black marble) It arrived quicker than I
ever expected and packaged extremely well. Best of all it is a fantastic
chess set. I'm only a novice and don't get to play much so the set was bought
to look nice too and it looks fantastic. Really really pleased with it. Thank you. Regards, Jo |
Buying a chess set will become more of a hassle-free experience for you now that you have taken the time to educate yourself further! You could also save yourself a small fortune buying the right one the first time.
The internet is becoming an intense resource for all of us on a daily basis and the number of products available online is growing. Since we specialize in chess, we test and offer only the best merchandise on the market or merchandise we're sure you will enjoy.
If you choose to order from ChessHouse.com I want your experience to be pleasant and hassle free! If at any time when ordering your chess sets you need help or assistance, I have in place a team of friendly and helpful professionals that are ready to answers your questions.
I hope you enjoyed this guide. If you found it helpful, feel free to forward it to friends.
PLEASE Let me know how you found this guide helpful or if I didn't answer all your questions or what you would like more information about! Email me at
contact@chesshouse.com
Raphael Neff
ChessHouse.com
Copyright
2007, 2008 The Chess House, LLC