Curved walnut chess case with black and white inlaid board on a table

Chess Set Gifts for Men: How to Choose One He'll Keep (2026 Guide)

A good chess set is one of the few gifts that does not end up in a drawer. It sits on a shelf or a coffee table, gets played on a Sunday afternoon and, if it is well made, gets passed down. This guide is for anyone buying a chess set as a gift for a husband, a dad, a brother or a friend who loves the game, and also for someone who has never played but would enjoy a beautiful board in the house.

What makes a chess set a good gift

  • Weight of the pieces. Light plastic pieces tip over and feel cheap. Metal pieces have real weight in the hand, and that is the first thing people notice when they open the box.
  • Real wood. A board made from natural wood such as walnut or rosewood looks better every year. Look for boards that say what wood they are made from.
  • Storage. Pieces that live in a separate bag get lost. A set with a built-in drawer or a fitted case keeps all 32 pieces together, which matters more than most people expect.
  • Size. A 12 in board is easy to store and fits a small table. A 14 to 15 in board has more presence and is the better choice if the set will stay out on display.
  • Personalization. A name or a date engraved on the board turns a nice set into his set.

Picks by the kind of person you are buying for

For the player who leaves the board out

The Classic Metal Chess Set with Storage Drawer has metal pieces with real weight and a velvet-lined drawer with a slot for every piece, so the set packs away in seconds and nothing gets lost. Two board sizes. From $249.

If he likes a bit of history on the board, the Roman Chess Set with Hidden Storage Drawer uses gold- and silver-tone Roman figures, with a hidden drawer for all 32 pieces. From $239.

For the history lover

Hand-painted armies make a gift people remember. The Hand-Painted Chess Set in Wooden Box comes with Ottomans or Persians against Crusaders, every figure painted by hand, in a lidded wooden box ($199). For a bigger statement, the Hand-Painted Chess Set with Drawer sets Camelot or Ottoman figures on a rosewood and walnut board ($359).

For the collector who wants a showpiece

The Luxury Chess Set in Curved Walnut Case opens onto burgundy velvet with a fitted slot for each weighted metal piece. It looks as good closed on a shelf as it does open on the table. From $289.

The Round Inlaid Chess Board with Drawers is a true statement piece: the border motifs are cut and inlaid by hand in rosewood, walnut and beech, with built-in drawers for the pieces ($219).

Chess set gifts under $200

For someone who prefers backgammon

Not every game lover is a chess player. The Walnut Backgammon Set is a full 19.7 in board made from natural walnut that closes into its own case ($219). The Inlaid Walnut Backgammon adds hand-inlaid Bear, Ship, Wolf or Lion designs (from $289).

Engraving: what to write

Most of our sets come with free personalized engraving. Popular choices are a name, initials with a year, or a short line for an occasion, such as a wedding date or "Dad's board". Keep it short so it reads well on the board. Engraved orders ship once you approve the engraving design.

Christmas order dates

Orders ship within 1 business day and US delivery takes 4 to 6 business days, with free tracked shipping. For delivery before Christmas, order by December 15, or by December 12 if you add engraving. Planning to give the set at a dinner or party before the 25th? Order a few days earlier to be safe.

One more idea: make it a gift set

A padded carrying case makes the set easy to take to a friend's house or on a trip. Added to any chess set, the case is $20 instead of $35 and ships in the same package.

See all of our picks in one place: Chess Set Gifts. Questions about a set or engraving? Write to us and we will be happy to help.

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