Top Chess Sets to Elevate Your Game in 2025

Chess, a timeless board game, captivates players worldwide with its blend of art, science, and strategy. Beyond the thrill of victory, it offers endless learning opportunities. Fueled by the success of Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, chess remains a beloved pastime, appealing to both casual players and enthusiasts. Its rules are approachable, yet its strategic depth ensures lifelong engagement. A quality chess set not only enhances gameplay but also serves as an elegant centerpiece for any home, inviting players to dive into the game.

Choosing the right chess set requires careful consideration. Budget-friendly options from toy stores may lack durability or the satisfying heft needed for enjoyable play. High-quality sets, often weighted for stability, use materials like plastic or wood (ideally triple-weighted). Color contrast is key—black and white pieces can blend into a monochrome board, so thoughtful design matters.

From classic to themed sets, our curated list highlights the finest chess sets available now, catering to all budgets and preferences.

Top Basic Chess Set

Weighted Gambit Plastic Set

LONDON CHESS CENTRE Top Basic Chess Set

3$26.98 at chess.co.uk

Simple doesn’t mean subpar. For an affordable yet high-quality option, this set delivers. Chess is a lifelong pursuit, so investing in a reliable set makes sense. The Weighted Gambit set, a staple in schools and clubs, features sturdy plastic pieces with added weight for a premium feel. Its roll-up vinyl board is portable and easy to store, while green and white squares enhance piece visibility, making gameplay smoother. The manufacturer claims it’s the world’s most popular plastic chess set, and its quality backs that up.

Finest Wooden Chess Set

Exquisite Hand-Carved Craftsmanship

Wooden chess sets embody tradition, offering a range of options. For a basic set, prioritize weighted pieces and strong board contrast. For luxury, the hand-carved Dubrovnik II from Slovenia stands out, hailed by its maker as the “finest chessmen ever.” Inspired by the 1950 Chess Olympiad in Dubrovnik, this set, loved by Bobby Fischer, blends classic design with modern flair. Currently unavailable until 2025, we’ve found a comparable alternative with the same exceptional craftsmanship.

Top Wooden Chess Set

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For a luxurious yet accessible wooden set, Royal Chess Mall’s 1950s Reproduction Fischer Dubrovnik Chess Set excels. Crafted from light boxwood with mahogany-gilded dark pieces, it mirrors the original’s aesthetic. Slightly heavier bases enhance the tactile joy of moving pieces, blending tradition with modern playability.

Premier Glass Chess Set

Sleek Design for Modern Decor

Gamie Premier Glass Chess Set

3See it

Glass chess sets, though delicate, dazzle with their elegance and affordability. Their clear and frosted pieces catch light beautifully, offering a modern aesthetic. The Gamie set stands out with larger-than-standard pieces, thoughtful design, and extras like felted bases to prevent scratches and a storage box. It’s a stunning display piece you’ll likely keep out for all to admire.

Top Marble Chess Set

Luxury for Discerning Players

Italfama Top Marble Chess Set

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Italfama’s exquisite marble set is a premium choice for serious players. While the ideal black and pink colorway is currently unavailable in the U.S., its luxurious appeal remains unmatched for those willing to invest.

Marble sets exude opulence but require care due to their fragility. Their rich colors and veining, while beautiful, can sometimes obscure pieces on the board. This set mitigates that with strong color contrast, ensuring both beauty and functionality.

Best U.K. Option:

U.K. buyers can enjoy Italfama’s black and pink marble set, which uses bold veining for visual distinction while maintaining a warm, luxurious look. Shop it here:

Italfama Marble Chess Set

1Free Standard UK Delivery on all orders over £50See it

Top Lego Chess Set

Fun for All Ages

LEGO Traditional Chess Set

1See it at LEGO

Themed Lego chess sets can feel lackluster, but the LEGO Traditional Chess Set shines. Built from classic Lego pieces, it offers the joy of assembly and a distinctive look. Unlike minifig-based sets, it captures Lego’s iconic charm while functioning as a fully playable chess set—the only non-retired Lego chess set available.

Top Harry Potter Chess Set

Perfect for Wizarding Fans

Top Harry Potter Chess Set

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Harry Potter chess sets featuring characters can be pricey and confusing. Instead, this wizard chess set, inspired by the iconic game from the first Harry Potter story, offers recognizable pieces with a cinematic design. Made from durable plastic, it’s affordable, visually striking, and lets you relive the magic of the films with every game—a top Harry Potter gift for 2025.

Top Star Wars Chess Sets

Star Wars Saga Edition Highlight

Top Star Wars Chess Set

6See it

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Chess Set

1$59.99 See it

While holochess from the Star Wars movie lacks official rules, Star Wars-themed chess sets abound. The Saga Edition focuses on the original trilogy, featuring detailed, high-quality plastic sculpts of characters like Chewbacca and Darth Vader. Currently out of stock, an affordable Star Wars chess set inspired by The Force Awakens offers a solid alternative.

Top The Lord of the Rings Chess Sets

HOYLE'S OF OXFORD Top LOTR Chess Set

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Chess fits Middle-earth’s ancient vibe, echoing the Anglo-Saxon-inspired Rohirrim. This set, crafted by a British artisan, features cold-cast sculpts with an antique finish, showcasing characters like Aragorn and Sauron. Officially endorsed by the Tolkien estate, it’s a stunning Lord of the Rings gift for chess-loving fans.

Premium LOTR Alternative

If the top pick is unavailable, The Noble Collection’s The Lord of The Rings - Chess Set: Battle for Middle-Earth is a collector’s dream. Priced at nearly $500, this epic The Lord of the Rings chess set delivers unmatched detail and authenticity.

The Noble Collection The Lord of The Rings - Chess Set: Battle for Middle-Earth Authentic LOTR Chess Set

Top Travel Chess Set

ChessHouse Leather Travel Magnetic Chess Set

Top Travel Chess Set

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Travel chess sets prioritize portability without sacrificing quality. Flat sets can feel underwhelming, so this magnetic set offers a compact yet satisfying experience. Its standard-format pieces, stored in a convenient pouch, are strongly magnetized to stay secure during travel or pauses in play. Explore more travel options:

Under $50 Under $40 Under $30

Top Giant Chess Set

MegaChess Large Chess Set

MegaChess Large Chess Set

2See it at Amazon

For outdoor fun, the MegaChess Large Chess Set is ideal. With 12-inch pieces and a 4x4 ft mat, it’s practical for yards or indoor spaces and easy to store. Perfect for casual games with a bold, oversized flair.

Mastering Chess

New to chess? Chess.com offers a clear, seven-step guide with videos, covering:

How to set up the boardPiece roles and movementsSpecial rulesWinning strategiesBasic tactics

Success comes with practice.

Setting Up Your Chess Board

Before playing, arrange your chess set correctly:

Place the board with a white square at the bottom right. Line up pawns on each side’s second row. Position rooks in the corners behind pawns, followed by knights next to rooks, then bishops beside knights. The queen takes her color-matching square, and the king fills the remaining spot. You’re ready to play!

Explore more gaming options with our guides to:

Top Classic Board GamesTop War Games and Strategy GamesTop Family Board Games…and board game deals and gift ideas for board gamers!