Chess gift ideas: the right set for every budget

Giving a chess set means giving hours of family games, a piece that stays on the living-room table and, often, a gift that gets passed down. To help you choose among our chess gifts, we have sorted our sets by budget, from travel sets to large carved wooden sets in their own box.

• Free gift wrapCheck the option at checkout: the set arrives wrapped and ready to give.
• Your message in the packageWrite a few words at checkout and we will tuck them into the package.
• Free shipping, 30-day returnsDelivered in 3 to 5 working days. If it isn’t right, we take it back within 30 days.

Under $120: a first set that makes people want to play

For a child discovering chess, a student or a player who wants a set to take everywhere: folding chess boards and magnetic sets that fit in a bag, plus a digital clock for timed games.

$120 to $230: a wooden chess set to keep for years

The heart of our collection: complete wooden chess sets, tournament-size boards on their own and our finest travel sets. An ideal gift for a regular player, a parent or a friend who loves beautiful things.

Luxury chess gifts over $230

Weighted or hand-carved pieces, marquetry, boxes with drawers and Manopoulos backgammon sets: collector’s pieces for a milestone birthday, a retirement or the chess lover who already has everything.

Chess gift ideas: how to choose the right set

By recipient

For a beginner or a child, go for a complete folding set that is easy to put away, with pieces that are easy to tell apart. For a club player, a tournament-size board and weighted pieces make all the difference; a digital chess clock is also a much-appreciated gift. For someone who loves interior design, a luxury carved wooden chess set will find its place in the living room, even between games.

By use

Looking for a set for vacations or travel? Our travel chess sets and magnetic chess sets close up into a case; on the magnetic models, the pieces stay in place even in a car or on a train. For playing at home, a 40 to 50 cm board is the most comfortable.

For a truly personal gift

Add a personalized engraving (first name, date, short dedication) for $11.90: the set becomes a keepsake to treasure and pass on. Looking for something other than a chess set? Our Manopoulos wooden backgammon sets are handcrafted in Greece.

All our original gift ideas are also gathered in the chess sets to give as gifts collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is gift wrap really free?

Yes. Select “Free gift wrap” at checkout, at no extra cost.

Can I add a gift message?

Yes. Write your message (200 characters maximum) in the “Gift message” field on the checkout page and we will include it in the package.

Can I send the gift straight to the recipient?

Yes. Simply enter their address as the shipping address at checkout.

What if they don’t like the gift?

You have 30 days after delivery to return it to us. The set must be complete and in good condition; you will be refunded within 7 days.

What is a good chess set to give a child?

A complete folding set with a 30 to 40 cm board and stable pieces. Magnetic sets are also perfect: the pieces stay in place, even in the car.