Top 8 Chess Sets for Fun and Competition – Reviews and Buying Guide

Dragon Chess Set by CHH is a dream come true for all Game of Thrones lovers. The three-dimensional set has a fossil-themed base with a transparent glass with a checkerboard pattern on top that holds the dragon-themed chess sets. The base is made of polyester resin, which makes it durable and strong. On the other hand, the pieces are made with pewter, which is an alloy of tin, copper, and antimony. It adds a rustic touch to the pieces.
It gives a sophisticated touch to your office, game room, or living space without being too intimidating. Since it is a strong accent piece, you can design the space around it by using simple tones of grey and copper against a white background. At the four corners, you will find castle towers that are completely blackened because of a huge blast during the war. Some dragons were also killed while fighting for their master’s dynasty.
The 3D chess set is easy to clean as you can lift the glass to wash the blackened terrain. Everyone loved the set so much when it was launched that the company sold out in just a few days. It is available again, so purchase it immediately make your colleagues and friends jealous.

What stands out?

• Easy to wash and clean
  
• Makes an interesting decor piece
  
• Affordable, compared to other themed sets

What cons did we manage to find?

• It can be hard to play, since many pieces look similar
  
• Fragile set

Another wonderful chess set from the world famous The House of Staunton, the US Chess Quiver Chess Set Combo makes an amazing travel buddy. The chess pieces are made with single-weighted regulation plastic, which the board is constructed using top quality vinyl. It can be used officially for tournaments as it meets all US Chess Federation and FIDE Requirements. It is suitable for people of all ages from children to the elderly.
You get a quiver chess bag in the package, which you can use to store the board and pieces. Its handle makes it easy to carry the bag around with you. The set has 34 pieces in total including two extra queens. The board rolls up easily and is built specifically for schools and colleges. It is easy to store and coated with a waterproof finish for durability. The United States Chess Federation exclusively manufactures it. It is also the most affordable chess set on our list and makes a decent Christmas present as well.
The House of Staunton is known for its undistinguished quality, and although this set is made of vinyl and plastic, it will last you for a very long time. It comes with a 30-day refund policy but only if the board or any of the pieces are damaged. It is easy to replace pieces as you can directly buy them from the manufacturer.

What are its best features?

• Best quality materials used
  
• Lightweight and durable
  
• Quiver chess bag to store the board and pieces

What could be improved?

• Chessmen have a subtle chemical smell
  
• Pieces are not weighted

Stonkraft Collectible Folding Wooden Chess Game Board Set with Magnetic Crafted Pieces is the best chess set to play daily with your kids during the holidays. When open, it is 14” x 14” in size, and when folded, it is 14” x 7” in size. As a portable set, the pieces are smaller than average height, with the king measuring at 2.75”. The chess pieces are magnetic and made using brown and yellow polished Rosewood respectively. Even though it is more affordable than other wood sets, there’s no compromise in the quality or durability of the materials used.

Since it is a foldable set, you can store the pieces inside it. It is laced in a cloth, which feels like satin and protects the pieces from sunlight and dust. It is made in India by sourcing the best wood from local Indian forests, giving the set an authentic appeal. This set makes a great Christmas gifts for your young kids, nieces, and nephews. They can set it up on their kiddie table.

Each square is 1-¼” in size. This same chess set is available in a number of sizes. But Notice that since it is an Indian company, the customer service is delayed.

Why did it make our list?

• Magnetic chessmen
  
• Compact in size and perfect for travelling
  
• Foldable board

What is not ideal about it?

• Delayed customer service
  
• Some customers reported defective products

Welcome the characters of your favorite fantasy novel and movie series to your den with the Harry Potter Wizard Chess Set by The Noble Collection. It is an officially Warner Bros authorized merchandise and includes a foldable plastic chess board and 32 chess pieces. The set is a miniature version of chess set we saw in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It is a big board measuring at 18.5” x 18.5” with the king measuring at 4-½”. You will get two drawstring pouches, one black and one silver to store the respective chess piece sets.

The pieces have sharp edges, so we don’t recommend you to give them to young kids as they tend to put everything in their mouth. It costs way more than it should, but since it is an official merchandise, you wouldn’t want to give it a miss. It makes a perfect game for themed-game nights or on Halloween.

Call all your friends, make scary food, and play chess with them. The best part of this set is that you can make your own alterations to have a fun time. If you don’t want to play, set it up in your room as it makes an excellent decor piece as well. You will have to stick the pieces to the board, though, as they tend to fall over.

What makes it stand out?

• An awesome gift for Harry Potter fans
  
• Skillfully crafted chess pieces
  
• Works as a decor piece

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Expensive
  
• Made with low-quality materials

This is by far the most elegant metal chess set out there. It has all the rave going on among top reviewers and users with its classy build.

The chess set features an inlaid wooden chess board that doubles up as a storage unit for the chess pieces. Before storing the chess pieces, you first keep them in the 2 velour pouches provided.

The chess pieces are made to stand the test of time. They are made out of solid metal and their weight is incredibly balanced such that they don’t weigh down the board. They feel neither too light nor too heavy on your hands.

With the King measuring 2.25 inches and each square 1.25 inches, you have ample playing space.

The chess set is quite an aesthetic with the elevated dark wood board that oozes style and class. The metallic chess pieces will also manage to impress your guests and you will have an easier time trying to convince them to play so you can show them who the champion is.

What makes it special?

• Besides having a functional design, this chess set is a decorative piece that can elevate a home’s décor value. Its pieces are elegantly and durably made with proportional weight that feels right in the hands.

What cons did we find?

• Some users complained that their set was delivered with some missing pieces and that the quality of the chess pieces isn’t as great as advertised. Also, when playing, the board feels hollow because it is lightweight.

If you are looking for a strong accent piece to designing your room around, we have found the best one for you. The RADICALn Handmade White and Green Onyx Weighted Full Chess Game Set is both beautiful and affordable. It is handcrafted as the materials used, white and green marble, are delicate and cannot withstand industry processes. It is a heavy chess set and weighs over 14 pounds, which means it is purely made for decorative purposes. Compared to chess sets that you use to play, the pieces are smaller in size. The king is 3” tall, whereas in the wood sets, it is over 4” long.

All chess pieces are handcrafted as well. RADICALn offers another style of chess set called the checker’s chess set, which is equally stunning and made using the same materials. You will get 32 checker pieces, each of which is 1” in diameter. The board is 0.5” thick and has a smooth polish. Both of the sets arrive at your doorsteps in a secure, styrofoam packing, so chances of breakage are minimum.

Considering the delicate characteristics of the pieces and board, the manufacturer offers a 30-day return policy. If you want to replace certain pieces, call up the manufacturer, and the representatives will help you out. Keep the chess board and pieces away from children.

Why are we impressed?

• Available in two beautiful versions
  
• Handcrafted in white and green marble
  
• Makes a wonderful decor piece

What negatives must you be aware of?

• No extra queen pieces
  
• Pieces do not come with a felt bottom
  
• No case for storage

If you love chess and have a big backyard, this set is made especially for you. Measuring at 9′ x 9′, the board is made of heavy-duty nylon material, which is waterproof and UV protected. You can also set this up in an unconventional office space and playgrounds to help your employees or students relax. It makes a fun housewarming gift for chess lovers. The chess pieces are over 20″ tall with the king measuring at 25″. They are made with high-density polyethylene substance, which is waterproof and UV protected as well.
Each square is 13″ big. Metal grommets with metal stakes are fitted at each of the four corners to hold the mat in place during extreme temperature. Each piece weighs between 1.5 to 3 pounds, which is light enough to be easily moved. If you plan to keep the mat outdoors, you can glue sand to their bases to add weight and prevent them from rolling off during heavy winds.
MegaChess Giant Chess set will be shipped to you in just four days. It doesn’t come with bags to store the mat and chess pieces, but the manufacturer sells them separately. The price might stop you from purchasing the set but once it is yours, you will have a fun time. It doesn’t come with a warranty but there is a 30-day refund policy. MegaChess also offers a variety of sizes in giant chess sets.

Why are we impressed?

• Solidly built pieces
  
• UV protected and waterproof materials
  
• Lightweight chessmen, so can be moved easily
  
• 30-day refund policy

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Pricey set

An antique chess set belonging to the style Staunton, Wegiel Ambassador set is made using a combination of different woods including, birch, sycamore, hornbeam, and beech wood. The chess board is made of beech and birch, while the pieces are made of hornbeam and sycamore. The set itself is a blend of antique features with a modern structure, which makes it different from other chess sets. The board has numbers and letters that coordinate in algebraic form.
Each square measures at 2.24″, while the board is 21.65” x 21.65”. It is handcrafted in Poland, so you notice some minor differences but don’t bother too much about it as it only makes the chess set unique. You will also notice some glue under every piece, which is used to stick felt to the chess piece. The board has a felt covering underneath as well. It folds into half to turn into a box, which is indented to store the chess pieces.
The chess board’s manufacturer, Węgiel, have been in business for the past 55 years and are known for their high standards and exceptional quality. They currently boast a collection of over 50 different sets with unique dimensions and colors. The chess set is used in many championships across the globe.

Why are we impressed?

• High quality and handcrafted pieces give it a premium appearance
  
• Manufacturer is known for excellent customer service
  
• Foldable box that makes a great decor piece

What negatives must you be aware of?

• No extra queens
  
• Some customers got defected pieces