Wooden Chess Sets: How to Choose the Wood, the Pieces and the Size

A wooden chess set is a different thing from the folding cardboard board most of us learned on. The wood gives the board weight and warmth, and a well-made set is something you keep for decades. But "wooden chess set" covers a lot of ground, from thin printed boards to hand-inlaid pieces of furniture. This guide walks through the four choices that matter most: the wood, the pieces, the size and the storage.

1. The wood

The board is the part you see every day, so start there.

• Walnut is the classic choice: a rich, dark brown with visible grain that deepens with age. It pairs well with both light and dark pieces.
• Rosewood has a warmer, reddish tone and is often combined with walnut or beech to create the contrast between the squares.
• Beech is a light, even-grained wood, used for the light squares and for inlaid borders.

Many handmade boards combine woods. Our Round Inlaid Chess Board with Drawers, for example, has a playing field of natural rosewood, walnut and beech, with border motifs cut and inlaid by hand. If a product page does not say which wood the board is made of, ask before you buy.

2. The pieces

A beautiful board with light, hollow pieces is a disappointment the first time you move a knight. The main options:

• Metal pieces have real weight in the hand and stay put on the board. They are the most durable choice and come in classic, Roman, Ottoman or Trojan styles. See the Classic Metal Chess Set with Storage Drawer or the Roman Chess Set with Hidden Storage Drawer.
• Hand-painted figures turn the board into two armies, such as Crusaders against Ottomans or Persians. They are for people who love history as much as the game. See the Hand-Painted Chess Sets.
• Resin pieces with painted details allow finer decoration and a lighter weight, like the ivory and black pieces with gold details in our Luxury Chess Set with Drawer.

Whatever the material, look for felt or a soft base under each piece so it does not scratch the wood.

3. The size

Size is about where the set will live and who will play on it.

• 10 to 12 in boards fit a side table or a bookshelf and are easy to store. A good choice for a first nice set, or as a gift.
• 14 to 15 in boards have more presence on a coffee table, and the larger squares are more comfortable for regular play.
• 17 in and up is a showpiece. Our Persians & Crusaders set uses a 17 in foldable board with 2 in squares.

A simple rule of thumb: the base of the King should fill most of a square, without crowding it. If the pieces look lost on the board, or hang over the edges of the squares, the set is out of proportion.

4. Storage

The most common complaint about chess sets is lost pieces. Built-in storage solves it:

• A drawer under the board, ideally velvet-lined, keeps all 32 pieces with the board. See Wooden Chess Sets with Storage Drawer.
• A fitted case with a slot for each piece protects painted or delicate figures, like the Luxury Chess Set in Curved Walnut Case.
• A chest or box hides the whole set away, like the lockable Walnut Chest Chess Set.

Caring for a wooden chess set

• Wipe the board with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid water and household cleaners.
• Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, which can fade or dry out the wood.
• Store pieces in their drawer or case, not loose on the board, when the set is moved.

Quick checklist before you buy

• Does the listing name the wood?
• Are the pieces metal, hand-painted or resin, and do they have soft bases?
• Will the board size fit where the set will live?
• Is there a drawer, case or box for the pieces?
• Can it be personalized, if it is a gift?

Browse our handmade wooden chess sets, or see our chess set gift guide if you are buying for someone else. Every set ships free in the US.