The complete guide
How to pick a wooden tournament chess set
Buying a chess set is one of those decisions where the small details turn up every single time you sit down to play.
Board size sets everything else
This board measures 54 x 54 x 1.3 cm and the king stands 98 mm tall. Those two numbers belong together. A king that height needs squares with space around it, so the pieces sit properly instead of crowding one another. If you have only ever played on a small travel board, the difference in feel is obvious the first time you set up.
The thickness matters too. At 1.3 cm the board stays flat and does not shift about when you lean on the table.
The wood, and why it costs more
The pieces are turned from hornbeam. The board is inlaid with mahogany and sycamore, which means the light and dark squares are real pieces of wood set into the board rather than a pattern printed onto a surface. It takes longer to make that way and it wears far better over the years.
Weighted pieces change how the game feels
Each piece is metal weighted in the base. A weighted piece stays where you put it when your sleeve catches the board, and it lands with a satisfying firmness when you move. It also helps in a fast game, because nothing topples when you reach across.
The Staunton shapes are the other half of that. They are clear and easy to tell apart, so someone new to chess can pick out a knight from a bishop without thinking about it, and an experienced player can read the position quickly.
Storage and living with the set
The pieces have their own handcrafted box, finished in a deep mahogany colour so it sits well beside the board. Boxing the pieces between games is the simple way to keep a set complete for years. The board itself is solid enough to leave out on a side table if you would rather keep a game going.
Craftsmanship runs through the whole thing, from the cassette to the box, and it shows when the set is out in a room.
If you want a measurement checked, or you are not sure whether this set suits your table or your chess club, email the support team before you order. They normally get back to you within one business day.