About Chess House

A message from Raphael

That first wooden chess set Dad bought for us kids started an adventure, fueled creativity and even kept us out of trouble.

To afford chess books and supplies, we bought an extra box of books to sell to our friends. The hobby grew, and in 1994 we teenage brothers bought our supplier, a small mail-order company called Chess House.

We knew hardly a thing about running a business, but we loved the game and took good care of customers.

Taking care of people is still how we work today, while sending unique chess sets and learning resources to homes, schools, players, companies and communities in more than 150 countries.

We want people to enjoy the game more, and we believe chess builds both the mind and character. With chess, you can make a difference anywhere: in your classroom, your workplace, your mission and among friends.

Start with the right chess set in your home. It engages young minds and keeps face-to-face time and the family together.

Raphael Neff

Owner & CEO

Elliott Neff, founder of Chess4Life, talks about where it all started and why Chess4Life and Chess House exist today.

Over 50 years of Chess House

2025 to today

Canton, South Dakota

Near Sioux Falls

In 2025, Chess House moved its office and warehouse to Canton, South Dakota, near Sioux Falls. Orders ship from here to players, families, schools and clubs around the world. Local customers can order online and pick up by appointment.

2003 to 2025

Raphael Neff

Lynden, Washington

In 2003, Raphael Neff took over ownership of Chess House and moved it online. Over the next 22 years, it grew from a mail-order catalog into an online store shipping chess sets and supplies to more than 150 countries.

1994 to 2003

The Neff brothers

Lynden, Washington

In the early 1990s, the teenage Neff brothers began selling chess books and supplies to friends, buying from Chess House, a mail-order shop in Kansas. In 1994 they bought the company, brought it home to Lynden, Washington, and ran it together for nine years.

1979 to 1994

Don Oswald

Kansas

Donald Lynn Oswald was born January 12, 1934, in Ottawa, Kansas. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1952 and served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1957. In January 1979, Don bought The Chess House from Jack Winters.

Over 15 years, Don grew the subscriber list from 1,000 to 8,000 while keeping in personal contact with many customers, who became good friends. In his hands, The Chess House became known as a growing mail-order chess company. He ran it in Kansas until his death in 1994.

Don also graduated from Manhattan Bible College, pastored several Christian churches in eastern Kansas and held several teaching positions. He directed numerous chess tournaments in the area and taught chess to countless people. A member of the US Chess Federation, he served for many years as a Senior Affiliate Tournament Director.

1972 to 1979

Jack Winters

Kansas City, Missouri

Jack B. Winters opened The Chess House in 1972, just in time for the Fischer–Spassky World Championship match. For seven years he owned and ran the shop at 39th & Main and at 74th & Broadway. Jack was once the highest-rated USCF player in Missouri and once drew a game against world champion Bobby Fischer. He sold the business to Don Oswald in 1979.