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Design Chess Sets: Metal, Wood and Modern Sets Compared
A design chess set is a fully playable set chosen as much for how it looks on a table as for how it plays. There are three main routes: modern sets in colour, classic wooden Staunton sets, and sculptural metal sets. Prices at Playoffside run from €65 to €675.
What is a Staunton chess set?
Staunton is the standard piece design used in competition chess. It was registered in 1849 and named after the English player Howard Staunton. If you picture a chess piece, you are picturing a Staunton piece. The history is covered on Wikipedia's Staunton chess set page.
For tournament play, FIDE recommends a king about 9.5 cm tall. A set at that size feels right to anyone who has played at a club.
How do design chess sets compare?
| Set | Style | Material | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Green Coloured Chess Set | Modern | Coloured board and pieces | €65 | A first set, a teenager's room |
| Olive Burl Luxury Chess Set | Classic Staunton | Olive burl board, 50 cm; 9.5 cm king | €169 | Players who want tournament proportions |
| Greek Roman Period Metal Chess Set | Figurative | Metal board and pieces, 2 colours | From €270 | History lovers |
| Dubai Stainless Steel Chess Set | Architectural | Stainless steel, 3 board styles | From €665 | Architects, frequent travellers |
| Chicago Metal Chess Set | Architectural | Metal, 3 board styles | From €675 | A statement gift |
Which chess set suits which person?
For someone who wants colour
Modern Green Coloured Chess Set
A complete modern set, board and pieces included, that looks nothing like the one from school. €65
View productFor someone who actually plays
Olive Burl Luxury Chess Set
A 50 cm olive burl board with Staunton pieces and a 9.5 cm king, the height FIDE recommends. €169
View productFor someone who loves history
Greek Roman Period Metal Chess Set
Greek and Roman figures face each other in metal, available in two colours. From €270
View productFor someone who loves a city
Skyline Chess replaces the traditional pieces with the buildings of a city skyline. Each set is available with three board styles. We also stock a San Francisco edition.
Chicago Metal Chess Set
Chicago's towers in metal, for the desk or the living room. From €675
View productAre themed chess sets hard to play with?
No, but they take a few games to get used to. With figurative and skyline sets, the pieces are told apart by height and shape rather than by the familiar Staunton outlines. Most players adapt within two or three games.
What size chess set should you buy?
- Measure the surface. Leave at least 10 cm free on each side of the board for captured pieces.
- Match pieces to squares. The base of the king should fill about three quarters of a square.
- Decide where it will live. A set that stays out needs to suit the room; a set that is stored needs a case.
Not sure between chess and backgammon? Read our luxury backgammon buying guide or pick the 2 in 1 chess and backgammon set. You can also browse all design games and gifts for adults.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for a chess set?
Wood is the classic choice for regular play because it is warm and quiet. Metal is heavier, more durable and more sculptural.
How tall should the king be?
FIDE recommends about 9.5 cm for tournament sets. Decorative sets vary.
How much does a design chess set cost?
At Playoffside, design chess sets range from €65 for a modern coloured set to €675 for a metal skyline edition.
