I suck at chess. However, I can still appreciate the beauty of a well-designed, well-crafted chess set. I went looking for the best examples, and I was really happy with what I found. Chess sets make great gifts, when used in decor, they can make you look classy and smart, and I hear from those who don’t suck at it that chess is a nice way to spend quality time with a friend. Whether your taste is super fancy or more streamlined, there’s a chess set for everyone.
Happy shopping!
Disclaimer: I did this search with absolutely no regard for budget, so I apologize for any sticker shock you may suffer.
November 12, 2016 at 8:22 am
I used to be a fairly good chess player, which was about fifty years ago. With that said, I like the mixed wood set. All of them are artful, but I would not want to play with them in a serious game.
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November 12, 2016 at 10:05 am
That’s very interesting. I suspect that’s the difference between someone who looks at them only as art (me) and serious players (you). Thank you!
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November 12, 2016 at 8:28 am
I love the blacksmith set best followed by the Art Deco and Man Ray sets. I’ve often thought I might want to own a chess set but I’ve never had a freed up flat space on which to display it and nor can I really justify carving out a space because I can’t play chess. In fact, I actually struggle to play checkers/droughts. If they could make a really beautiful snakes and ladders set though, that I could do.
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November 12, 2016 at 10:06 am
That’s hilarious! You’re a funny, funny lady.
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November 12, 2016 at 9:59 am
I am partial to the Samurai/Zen garden chess set–though, I notice, you didn’t include the Simpsons chess set–not particularly decorative, but cool.
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November 12, 2016 at 10:22 am
I decided to leave out all sets based on a specific theme. I did like the Simpsons set, and there were a number of really beautiful Alice in Wonderland sets I passed over, along with Batman, Lord of the Rings, Camelot, and scores of others.
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November 12, 2016 at 10:29 am
I think you chose a bunch of very classy an elegant sets. Maybe you could do a post of more whimsical chess sets some day.
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November 12, 2016 at 11:05 am
That’s a cool idea!
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November 12, 2016 at 10:50 am
I don’t play chess but my boyfriend has been an excellent player for decades. We tried playing a few times, but I drove him crazy because of my erratic and unpredictable moves. (Which still led to my loss) I’d love to have each of these in my house – although the cost would cost more than my house. “Usable” art is so very cool.
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November 12, 2016 at 11:07 am
“Unpredictable” is a nice way of describing my play. Other applicable words would be “incorrect” and “idiotic.”
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November 12, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Love these. My favorite favorite is the recycled auto parts one. That is really awesome. I know quite a few guys who love to have that and I think it would make great decor. Interesting conversation piece. I also like the filigree one. So pretty! I didn’t look at the prices.
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November 12, 2016 at 9:47 pm
It’s more fun if you don’t look at the prices. So glad you liked them!
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November 12, 2016 at 3:20 pm
lol Lolololol. Oh my goodness! I just looked at the prices. The recycled auto parts is n my league…the filigree I couldn’t justify even if I could afford it. It’s so beautiful though.
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November 12, 2016 at 9:48 pm
True of many beautiful things. Like the moon. Can I afford it? No. Is it beautiful to look at? Yes.
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November 12, 2016 at 3:33 pm
I am chess player. I like chess with understand view. Thus my favorite
1) malaxite chess
2) mixed wood
2) Filigree Chess.
I do not like to play and simenteneosly thinking what a figure that means.
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November 12, 2016 at 9:49 pm
I know what you mean. If I were a serious player, I think the malachite would be my fave, too!
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November 12, 2016 at 4:31 pm
Reblogged this on notewords and commented:
Some amazing chess sets – particularly the Malachite one.
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November 12, 2016 at 8:25 pm
Some lovely chess sets there! Have you seen the tatted ones? http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51432.asp has info about the book that has this patterns, and https://www.google.com.au/search?q=tatted+chess+set&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU550AU550&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh0JaayKTQAhXEGJQKHTCFDukQsAQIGw&biw=1424&bih=662 has some amazing images!
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November 12, 2016 at 9:52 pm
OMG I had no idea those even existed! Thank you!
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November 13, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Donna, thank you so much for including my sailboat and Samurai sets in your beautiful collection!
Jim Arnold
JimArnoldsChessSets
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November 13, 2016 at 3:41 pm
You’re very welcome. They are lovely!
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November 13, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Price is such a difficult thing to explain. I have seen most of the others sets before, but speaking for myself, out of the price I pay about 10% for shipping, another 15% in commissions, 7% in material cost, and a set like the sailboat set pictured here takes me 10 days to make, the Samurai set almost 3 weeks…and from that standpoint i barely stay ahead of my bills. I make these sets for a living and have done so for almost 20 years, and it sure isn’t because of all the money I make!
Thanks Again Donna, it is an honor to have my work featured in your beautiful blog!
Jim
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November 13, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Jim, I wasn’t complaining about your price. I was referring more to the $16K sets, etc. Your sets are clearly lovingly made and truly lovely. Thank you for the visit!
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March 13, 2020 at 11:40 am
Second post on this topic. A serious chess player doesn’t want to figure out what piece is which. They want standard chess pieces so a knight and bishop look like standard tournament chess pieces that is why all but maybe one of the group would not be allowed in a chess tournament. Also I hate advertisements that have chess pieces in an impossible position. It is clear whoever set up the pieces knew nothing about chess. Hal
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March 13, 2020 at 4:19 pm
I also know nothing about chess, so I can sympathize with the boobs who set up the photos…
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