Best chess sets 2021: Improve your memory and sharpen your mind with these chess sets – The Sun
CHESS is having a major moment, spurred on by the success of TV series The Queen's Gambit and our increased time at home.
It's a great life skill - and game - to pick up at any age. We've rounded up the best chess sets for all players below.
9
There are lots of different kinds of chess sets to buy, whether you want something traditional, portable or even themed.
Chess sets can be functional and practical - as well as works of art, with some boards and pieces costing into the hundreds (and even thousands).
Newbies can find chess sets at affordable prices - often including checkers pieces, too - for under 20, which also have the advantage of being portable.
If you want your chess set to be a statement piece, look out for colourful boards, interesting materials (Lucite, anyone?) and unusual designs, like Umbra's Wobble Chess Set, which is a visual feast where the game pieces seem to interact as you play.
From wizards to Mario characters to Star Wars favourites, there are chess sets to appeal to everyone. Top tip: novelty sets are a great way to get kids interested in the game.
This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.
9
This plastic chess set includes magnetic pieces which attach to the board to stay standing (bonus: reviewers say you can play this in the car as a result).
The portable design can be folded in half for easy travel and fans are impressed by the durability of this set, especially for the price.
The general consensus is that this makes a great starter set for chess newbies, who are less likely to knock pieces over thanks to the magnets, and who find it easier to learn with black and white pieces (as opposed to wood).
The pieces store away easily in the board-box, too.
9
If you're despairing at your child's inability to separate themselves from a screen, then we'd recommend this Super-Mario themed chess game, featuring Mario's Heroes vs. Bowser's Troop.
Recommended for kids 7 and up, reviewers are impressed with the quality and design of the chess pieces (they're hand-painted), and insist kids like to play this version more than traditional chess.
Toy Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Fallout versions are also available.
9
Yes, looks are absolutely allowed to influence your choice of a chess set.
This twist on the traditional chess set made from colourful Lucite allows for chess on one side, checkers on the other.
Ideal for game night with the family - and for brightening up a display shelf, too.
9
Designed in collaboration with number 1 ranked chess player for nearly two decades, Garry Kasparov, this is another budget board - except this one has wooden pieces to appeal to traditionalists.
Fans rave about the quality and design, as well as the affordability of this set, which is sturdily built.
'My daughter wanted a chess set after watching The Queen's Gambit and we have been playing every day since.
'This wooden set is really nice and great value for money', writes one reviewer.
9
Anyone worried that chess has a reputation that borders on 'boring' should check out Umbra's walnut and maple chess set, which is anything but.
The eye-catching design consists of a concave wobble board which makes the pieces seem as if they're in motion, interacting with each other as you play.
In addition to helping bring the game to life, the wobble board pieces are beautifully made, with spherical bottoms and plated chrome detailing.
It's a gorgeous statement piece for the home, too.
'I stumbled across this set by accident and knew I had to have one. It looks every bit as good as I hoped.
'Clearly high quality and beautifully designed. Each piece is like mini modern sculpture, as is the board with its wavy structure. Looks like a painstaking product to construct', writes one reviewer.
9
This 32-piece chess set features a London skyline of architecture turned chess pieces, including Big Ben, The Shard and the London Eye.
Made from moulded acrylic, the pieces are double-weighted with felted bases, while the wooden board is cleverly designed to look like a London city map.
You'll also find New York (and New York vs London editions) available at John Lewis.
9
If you like your chess with a side of history, then you'll enjoy this mini replica set of the 12th century Isle of Lewis chessmen, believed to have been crafted in Norway once upon a time and discovered in a chest on the Isle of Lewis in the 1830s.
This stunning set is made from crushed stone resin with heavy pieces, intricately carved with painstaking attention to detail.
The pieces fold nicely into the board for easy storage when not in use.
9
This portable chess set contains a patterned canvas board and 32 silkscreened wooden pieces for chess and checkers fun.
Just zip the pieces in the pouch, roll up the board and take this beautiful chess set with you wherever you go.
BREW-TIFULBest glass coffee cups you can buy in 2021
SMART TIMEThe 10 best smartwatches you can buy in 2021
PERFECT BREWSage's Smart Kettle BKE820UK review: Is it worth the money?
freshen upBest aftershave for men: from Dior Sauvage to Creed and Bleu de Chanel
pump it upThe 8 best value and cheapest dumbbell sets you can buy in 2021
HIGH FRYING9 best air fryers to buy in 2021
We've designedSun Selectsto help you to find the best products that won't break the bank.
Need some more game ideas? These board games are sure to be a hit.
Enjoyed our roundup of best chess sets? Then you might like our selection of eco-friendly toys for kids, too.
This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.
See the original post:
Best chess sets 2021: Improve your memory and sharpen your mind with these chess sets - The Sun
- Isaiah Likely is the Giants new chess piece with plans on raising Jaxson Darts game - New York Post - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Why diving chess is the next frontier for the sport - ESPN - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- History made in Almaty as inaugural FIDE World University Team Chess Championship gets underway - FIDE - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Kazakhstan Hosts First FIDE World University Team Chess Championship - The Astana Times - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- History being made in Almaty - en.chessbase.com - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Esports World Cup 2026 | LCQ | Group D - All the Information - chess.com - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Esports World Cup 2026 | LCQ | Group B - All the Information - chess.com - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Titled-Tuesday-Blitz-August-04-2026 - chess.com - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- FIDE World University Team Chess Championship starts in Almaty International Chess Federation - FIDE - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Strength in Activity as U.S. Open Begins - US Chess Federation - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Team Russia Wins 10th Anniversary "Friendship Match" in Harbin - - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Open Thread: A chess shop employee lucked into a match against Victor Wembanyama - Pounding The Rock - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- How fitness helps Tania Sachdev stay sharp at the chessboard - Red Bull - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fury as UKs only all-female chess team promoted then told they must recruit a man - The Guardian - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Chess: Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, breaks another world age record at Dole Trophy - The Guardian - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Firouzja withdraws from remainder of Grand Chess Tour 2026 due to schedule clash with Esports World Cup - Chess News | ChessBase - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- THE ODYSSEY: Playing 3D Chess with an Epic, Gods and Mortals, and the Remorse of Odysseus - ScreenAnarchy - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Sixteen universities meet in Almaty for inaugural FIDE World University Team Chess Championship - FIDE - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Pixel Works Software Launches Chess AI Solver for iOS and Android, Alongside a New Website - pr.com - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 2026 kicks off in Abuja, Nigeria International Chess Federation - FIDE - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Jon Speelman: Castles by the trees and Fluffy Ducks - Chess News | ChessBase - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Top board games: Then and now - Axios - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- All-female chess team reaches top tier then are told they must recruit a man - independent.co.uk - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Young filmmaker's dream comes full circle at Chicano Hollywood Film Festival with Keanu Reeves by her side - ABC7 Los Angeles - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Chess Community In An Uproar After All-Female Team Reaches Top Tier Only To Have Gender Rule Backfire On Them - Yahoo Lifestyle Canada - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- We beat men at chess. Now were forced to let one join our team - The Times - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Check is in the Mail August 2026: Return of the King('s Gambit) - US Chess Federation - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- The African Chess Confederation has elected a new executive board - Chess News | ChessBase - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- FIDE reveals host city for Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship clash; youngest-ever title match in ches - The Times of India - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- This 15-year-old chess prodigy from Tamil Nadu wanted to quit because it was too expensive; his father, w - The Times of India - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- 3D chess: The interwoven tanker effects of Iranian, Houthi and Ukrainian attacks - Lloyd's List - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Chess Champion Hated the Game, Until It Saved the Day - Anash.org - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Chess on wheels: The psychology of the Tour de France - BBC - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- This Netflix Documentary Tells The Story of The Jewish Queen of Chess - Kveller - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- USA vs. Uzbekistan: WR Chess Rapid & Blitz Miami 2026 | Match - All the Information - Chess.com - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- The Geneva Convention: Gukesh And Sindarov Will Meet For World Championship In Switzerland - World Chess - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Titled-Tuesday-Blitz-July-28-2026 - Chess.com - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- World Chess Championship to Be Held in Switzerland - teleSUR English - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- 11-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Breaks 38-Year Chess Record With Win Over French Grandmaster - communitynews.org - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Geneva to host Gukesh vs Sindarov World Chess Championship match in Nov-Dec 2026 - The Indian Express - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Global Chess League to take place in India's Silicon Valley: Carlsen, Sindarov and Anand in the mix - Chess News | ChessBase - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- The politics of playing chess in movies - The Boston Globe - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Its nice to be able to admire chess pieces as works of art, on top of being instruments of play - Le Louvre - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Ord Minnett Reaffirms Their Buy Rating on Newmont Corporation CHESS (NEM) - The Globe and Mail - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Citi Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Newmont Corporation CHESS (NEM) - The Globe and Mail - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Author Raul A. Castillos New Book, "Chess: Simple and Easy," is an Intuitive Guide Designed to Help Beginners and Seasoned Players Alike... - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Macquarie Keeps Their Buy Rating on Newmont Corporation CHESS (NEM) - The Globe and Mail - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Newmont Corporation CHESS (NEM) Gets a Buy from UBS - The Globe and Mail - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Woodward and Tang retain US junior titles with convincing performances - Chess News | ChessBase - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Global Chess League Building team chemistry will be key to success, says Nihal Sarin - Sportstar - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Chess: Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, breaks world age record from 38 years ago - The Guardian - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Russian head of FIDE suspends activity over EU sanctions - Reuters - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- White to move and mate in two #852 Common Sense in Chess - Daily Kos - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Chess, Hacking, and More: Jason M. Hough on Writing Protagonists with Niche Skills - CrimeReads - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Alireza Firouzja clinches Chennai Grand Masters title ahead of Arjun Erigaisi - The Indian Express - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Its a Shallow World but Im a Big Girl Now: Chess Smith Turns Betrayal into a Pure Pop Celebration on Im Dead To You (And Thats OK) - Atwood Magazine - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- International Scientific Conference Theory and Practice of Chess Education - European Chess Union - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- From classics to computers: N Srinath on the evolution of chess training - The Times of India - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Aronian and Finek convincingly win 2026 Triathlons in Biel - Chess News | ChessBase - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- USC Trojans' Most Important Chess Piece in Their Secondary - Sports Illustrated - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Jewish chess legend Judit Polgar declines offer to become Hungarys president - The Times of Israel - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- World Chess Day marks the final countdown to the historic Samarkand Chess Olympiad - sportanddev - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- What is the real magic of social chess? FIDE panel shares stories of change - FIDE - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Review: Mastering the London System by Elisabeth Phtz - Chess News | ChessBase - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Chess trial rescheduled for Oct. as Harrison Courthouse upended by effects of flooding in neighboring counties - WV News - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Gukesh, Pragg headline as India announce team for 2026 Chess Olympiad - The Indian Express - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Basilisk signs world No. 8 Anish Giri, Pairing Him With Vincent Keymer on Stacked Chess Roster - GamesBeat - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Mans World promised chess lessons, but detectives say it was offering something else - WPLG Local 10 - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Gukeshs struggle not a surprise for Niemann: Never really best in the world - The Indian Express - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Upcoming tournaments and events - Chess News | ChessBase - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Viswanathan Anand takes over as FIDE interim president after EU sanctions on Dvorkovich - The Indian Express - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- India's 99th GM! Sleepless nights, depressing times, and then chess Grandmaster: The making of Rathanvel VS - The Times of India - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Is online gaming ruining chess? Players say its not quite as black and white as that - The Independent - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Hungarian Prime Minister proposed that chess player Judit Polgr become president - () - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Judit Polgar, The Leading Light Of Women's Chess, Nominated for Hungarian Presidency - World Chess - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Chess hero Judit Polgar could shatter another glass ceiling as Hungary president - The Indian Express - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Magyar announced that he would propose the chess player as Hungary's president - LIGA.net - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Could Russia be about to lose its grip on chess leadership? - DW.com - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- A Mom Found Out Her Sons Chess Club Coach Had Been Entering Students Into Paid Tournaments Under His Own Company Without Parental Consent Forms -... - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Start the chess game in the politics of Budapest. Who does Peter Magyar propose for the presidency of Hungary? - Informat.ro - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]