First: who is it for and what for?
Start with two questions: who will play, and what is the set for? A tournament player needs something different from a child who is just learning the moves, and a gift for an enthusiast who wants a beautiful set on the table is different again. The answers decide the size, the shape of the pieces and the material.
Tournament chess sets: No. 4, No. 5 or No. 6?
Tournaments are usually played with tournament chess sets, meaning sets that meet requirements for square size and piece shape. The standard is the classic Staunton design: simple, easy to read and familiar to every tournament player.
The number describes the size of the pieces. The higher the number, the taller the king and the larger the squares. Serious tournaments use No. 5 or No. 6 sets, and No. 6 is increasingly preferred. It is a large set, though, so for children, learning and training No. 4 or No. 5 is often the better choice.
| Number | King height | Square size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 4 | approx. 7.6 cm | 40 mm | children, learning, training, smaller tables |
| No. 5 | approx. 9 cm | 50 mm | training and club play, allowed at tournaments |
| No. 6 | approx. 9.6 cm | 55–58 mm | tournaments (preferred size), club play |
Rule of thumb: the king's base should take up about three quarters of a square. If you buy pieces and a board separately, stick to the same number.
Wooden and carved chess sets
Wooden chess sets, and carved ones in particular, are for anyone looking for a tasteful gift or wanting a beautiful set for everyday play. What matters here is the look, the type of wood and the finish. Inlaid chessboards (made from pieces of wood in different colours) and hand-carved pieces look great in a living room or study.
Here too, match the size to the space where you will play and to the age of the player. A large carved set makes an impression but needs a big table, while children find smaller, stable pieces easier to handle.
Chess for children
Children do best with medium pieces (No. 4 or No. 5) in the simple Staunton shape. Very ornate pieces are easy for beginners to confuse. Magnetic chess sets are also a good choice: the pieces stay put, and a game can be paused and finished later.
Travel chess
Magnetic and travel chess sets fit in a backpack, and the pieces don't slide around in a car or on a train.
Chess clock
For club and tournament play you will need a chess clock. A mechanical clock is the classic and needs no batteries. An electronic one lets you set a time increment per move, which is now standard in tournaments.
Not sure what to choose? Write to us at kontakt@sklep-szachy.pl and we will help.