Top 10 Chess Brands in the World

The world's leading chess makers each have a specialty. Some are known for their boards, others for their pieces or electronic chess. These ten brands stand out for craftsmanship, design and how well their products hold up over years of play.

  1. 1JLP WoodworkingAmerican hardwood boards
  2. 2Ferrer and Mastellone GiuseppeQueen's Gambit boards
  3. 3NaefSwiss Bauhaus design
  4. 4MTM WoodEnd-grain chess boards
  5. 5Southern River TablesWood and resin art boards
  6. 6Noj SloveniaHandmade collector pieces
  7. 7Studio Anne CarltonHand-cast themed pieces
  8. 8Berkeley ChessThemed pieces, made in the UK
  9. 9MillenniumElectronic chess computers
  10. 10DGTTournament e-boards and clocks

Here's what each brand does best, grouped by category.

Best chess board brands

These makers build heirloom-quality boards with standout craftsmanship, from American hardwood to classic European workshops and modern Swiss design.

USA

JLP Woodworking

JLP Woodworking builds American-made hardwood boards for collectors and players. Its line includes the well-known Player boards and the distinctive STACK boards, with their magnetic four-quadrant design.

Spain and Italy

Ferrer and Mastellone Giuseppe

The official Queen's Gambit board was made by Ferrer in Spain. Mastellone Giuseppe of Italy also produces this Queen's Gambit chess board design.

Switzerland

Naef

Swiss maker Naef is known for precision-made wooden toys. Its Bauhaus chess board and chess pieces remain among the most sought-after modern, minimalist chess sets.

Slovenia

MTM Wood

MTM Wood specializes in end-grain construction, in both cutting boards and chess boards. MTM chess boards stand out instantly, and they come in many styles.

USA

Southern River Tables

From the mountains of North Georgia, Southern River Tables handcrafts chess and checker boards from locally sourced maple, walnut and cherry, poured with colored resin. Every board is one of a kind, and custom builds are available.

Many other makers produce excellent boards too. Browse all chess boards.

Best chess piece brands

Slovenia

Noj Slovenia

Chess connoisseurs have found and celebrated Noj Slovenia. It's still a small, lesser-known workshop, but its piece design and craftsmanship are extraordinary. Demand is so high that orders are booked out several years.

Two brothers make the pieces, and their partly retired father adds the finishing touches. See Noj Slovenia for chessmen that come close to living up to their "best chessmen ever" claim.

United Kingdom

Studio Anne Carlton

Studio Anne Carlton set the standard for themed chess pieces. Each design is sculpted over many months and cast by hand in resin, with close attention to historical accuracy. Sets come in a classic brown-and-cream finish or hand-painted detail, with themes from the Battle of Waterloo and the Civil War to Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland.

United Kingdom

Berkeley Chess

Themed chess pieces depict characters, eras or stories. Berkeley Chess is one of the best makers of high-quality themed pieces. Building on the work of Studio Anne Carlton, Berkeley launched a made-in-the-UK line in a wide variety of themes.

Best electronic chess brands

For playing against a computer or online on a real board, a few brands stand out.

Germany

Millennium

Millennium leads the category, with the widest range of electronic chess boards. Its luxury, modern and classic boards play online on the latest chess sites or stand alone for a game against the computer.

Its flagship Supreme T2 brings the look and feel of a tournament board to practice at home and online play.

Netherlands

DGT

DGT e-boards have been used at the world's top tournaments for more than two decades. Clubs and players also use them at home, for tournament-style play or to broadcast games. DGT makes a wide range of other innovative chess products, including its well-known clocks.

Best online chess stores

There are many places to buy chess online. Here are some of the top stores for chess sets and supplies.

  • South Dakota

    Chess House

    Known for customer-friendly service, many exclusive products and a 90-day guarantee, for home, club, school and professional players.

  • Alabama

    House of Staunton

    One of the largest chess stores, known especially for premium collector sets.

  • New York

    Chess USA

    An online store that also has a physical shop you can visit.

  • Oregon

    The Chess Store

    Friendly staff and a good selection of popular chess sets.

  • India

    Chess Bazaar

    Sells directly from India, where many wooden chess pieces are crafted. Prices can be lower, but replacing a lost piece can be a challenge.

  • Official FIDE source

    World Chess

    The official source for the set used in the FIDE World Championship cycle.

Since The Queen's Gambit, many new sellers have entered the chess market. Good chess equipment isn't easy to source well. The most reliable makers work with retailers they've known for decades, who have a good reputation and are committed to doing right by customers.

Choosing from these makers is a reliable way to find a chess set you'll enjoy for years to come.

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