Wooden Chess Sets

Wooden chess sets for every player and budget, from a $35 travel set to handcrafted heirloom sets on American hardwood boards. Choose from walnut, mahogany, maple, sheesham, boxwood and genuine ebony, with boards from 10½ to 22½ inches. In-stock sets ship from our South Dakota warehouse with a 90-day guarantee, and we keep replacement pieces available for years.

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How to choose a wooden chess set

Woods and finishes

• Light pieces are usually boxwood, a dense, pale wood that wears well and takes fine carving.
• Dark pieces come in sheesham (a warm, rich brown), ebonized boxwood (stained black), burnt finish (darkened by heat for a golden-brown look) or genuine ebony, the densest and most prized.
• Boards pair a light wood such as maple with a darker one like walnut, mahogany or wenge. Our Heirloom sets sit on USA-made hardwood boards.

Board and king sizes

For the right look and feel, the king's base should fill about 75% of a board square.

• Tournament size: 2¼-inch squares (a board of about 20 to 22 inches) with a 3¾-inch king. This matches the US Chess standard.
• Home and club: 2-inch squares (about 18 to 19 inches) with a king of roughly 3 to 3½ inches.
• Travel and small spaces: boards of 10 to 15 inches, often folding or magnetic.

What wooden chess sets cost

• Under $100: travel, school and starter sets, such as the Ace Chess Set and Timeless Flex.
• $100 to $250: full-size home and club sets, such as the 21" Ambassador, Classic Wood and Timeless.
• $250 to $400: tournament combos with weighted pieces, some with storage, such as the Grandmaster and 4" Zagreb.
• $450 and up: Heirloom Collection sets on USA-made hardwood boards, plus designer sets like Bauhaus and Man Ray.

Caring for a wooden chess set

• Dust pieces and board with a soft, dry cloth. Skip water and household cleaners.
• Keep the set out of direct sun and away from heaters, vents and damp rooms. Steady temperature and humidity prevent cracks and warping.
• Store pieces in a box or bag between games so they don't knock together.

Hardwood boards need a little extra care. See our hardwood care guide.

What customers say

Our Heirloom Collection

Exclusive Heirloom Collection sets are some of our finest, built on USA-made hardwood boards.

Every wooden chess set comes with our 90-day guarantee and easy replacement pieces if one ever goes missing. Not sure which set fits? Ask us, or read our full guide to choosing a chess set.