No advertising on this page. We have no agreements with the shops. We aren't paid for the links or for anything you buy. We haven't held or tried any of them ourselves. The facts come from the shops' own pages, with the date.
What we look for
- Pieces of the Staunton pattern, the classic design FIDE's rules call for in tournaments.
- Squares that fit the pieces: four pawns should fit on one square.
- Weighted pieces with felt underneath. They stand firm and glide quietly across the board.
- A box or a compartment for the pieces, so that no pawn goes missing.
Watch out: A beautiful set with squares that are too small is cramped to play on. Compare the king's height with the size of the squares before you buy.
Six to choose from
In no particular order. Every shop here ships to the United States, the United Kingdom and most of Europe. The Chess Shop is in the United Kingdom, The House of Staunton in the United States. If the shop is in another country, you may have to pay import duty or tax when the parcel arrives. More on how to choose is in the guide to buying a chess set.
Consul Folding Wooden Chess Set – Brown
Sunrise
A folding wooden chess set. The pieces are sycamore, and each one has its own compartment inside the folded board. The case is beech and birch.
- King height
- 60 mm (2.4 in)
- Folded
- 350 × 175 × 50 mm
- Weight
- 0.8 kg
- Pieces
- Sycamore
- Case
- Beech and birch
Our view The first set at home, when someone is learning. It is smaller than a tournament set but takes up little room and keeps everything in one case. Anyone who gets hooked on chess will probably want a bigger set in time.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)DGT Chess Starter Box Brown (Pieces, Board & DGT1002)
DGT
Board, pieces and a chess clock in one box. The board is laminated cardboard and folds twice. The pieces are weighted plastic, and the clock is the DGT1002 with a bonus timer.
- Squares
- 50 × 50 mm (2 in)
- King height
- 86 mm (3.4 in)
- Clock
- DGT1002, with a bonus (increment)
- Board
- Laminated cardboard, folds twice
- In the box
- Board, 32 pieces and clock
Our view The child or adult who has started playing seriously and wants to practice at home with a clock. The 86 mm king and the 50 mm squares are within FIDE's sizes for tournaments. A cardboard board won't last forever, but it can be swapped for a roll-up or wooden board later.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)Regulation Tournament Chess Pieces and Chess Board Combo – Triple Weighted
The House of Staunton
Plastic pieces of the Staunton pattern and a vinyl board that rolls up. The pieces are triple weighted, and there are 34 of them: two extra queens for promotion. The board has letters and numbers on all four sides, buff squares and dark squares in green or one of seven other colors. The shop writes that the pieces are ideal for schools, clubs and tournament play.
- King height
- 3.75 in (9.5 cm)
- King's base
- 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
- Squares
- 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
- Board
- Vinyl, 20 × 20 in, rolls up
- Pieces
- 34, triple weighted
Our view The club, the school, or the player who wants a tournament-size set that can take a knock. The 3.75-inch king and the 2.25-inch squares are within FIDE's sizes, and the board travels rolled up.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)Classic Staunton 3.75" King Antiqued Chess Set (Board & Pieces)
A wooden set of the Staunton pattern with felt under the pieces. The pieces are boxwood, the light ones natural and the dark ones stained, with an antique finish. The board is the shop's Regular board in sapele and sycamore, which it calls its most popular, with or without letters and numbers. A storage box can be added. The shop writes that it suits anyone buying their first proper wooden pieces, or a club that wants to upgrade.
- King height
- 95 mm (3.75 in)
- King's base
- 35 mm (1.4 in)
- Squares
- 50 mm (2.0 in)
- Board
- Sapele and sycamore, 480 × 480 × 13 mm
- Box
- Optional: burlwood, 240 × 150 × 85 mm
Our view The family or the club that wants real wooden pieces in tournament size. The king is FIDE's standard height, 95 mm. Its base, at 35 mm, is a little narrower than the 40–50 percent of the height that FIDE asks for. The board is also on the shelf of chess boards.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)Wooden Magnetic Travel Chess Set – 10" Square
The House of Staunton
A handcrafted magnetic travel set in golden rosewood and maple, with a pull-out drawer where the pieces lie in foam.
- Squares
- 1 in (2.5 cm)
- King height
- 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
- Size
- 10 × 10 in
- Wood
- Golden rosewood and maple
Our view The train, the cabin and the vacation. Big enough to play a whole game on, small enough for a backpack.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)Magnetic Wallet Chess Set
A magnetic pocket set that folds to the size of a checkbook. The board is green and buff, with letters and numbers on all sides. The shop writes that the pieces stay put if you fold it in the middle of a game.
- Playing surface
- 13 cm (5.1 in)
- Folded
- 14.5 × 7.8 cm
- Weight
- 100 g
Our view The jacket pocket, for solving a puzzle or playing through a game on the bus. The squares are small, so it is more a notebook than a set for long games.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)Frequently asked questions
What size should a chess set be?
For tournaments, FIDE gives a king of 95 mm (3.7 inches) and squares of 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches). The heights of the pieces may vary by up to 10 percent. At home a smaller set is fine, but the pieces and the board should fit together: four pawns should fit on one square.
What does Staunton mean?
The Staunton pattern is the classic design of chess pieces. It came out in England in 1849, was first sold by Jaques of London and was named after Howard Staunton, one of the strongest players of his day. FIDE's rules call for it in tournament play.
Is wood better than plastic?
Not necessarily. Plastic survives a fall to the floor and costs less; wood feels warmer in the hand. FIDE accepts both for the pieces. What matters is the size, and that the pieces stand firm.