8 Cool Chess Sets That Are a Perfect Gift

With the festive season right around the corner, I know you’re probably on the hunt for the perfect gifts for your loved ones. And I’d bet good money there’s at least one person in your family who loves chess. Which means you’re now searching for cool chess sets that can replace their old dusty one, or maybe even double as a conversation piece when guests stop by.

Even if they already own a beautiful chess set, I promise they’ll still appreciate something new. The truth is, chess players never really have “too many” sets. That’s why I’ve pulled together this list of nine cool chess sets that make perfect holiday gifts. 

Some are sleek, some are traditional, and all of them have just enough charm to make someone’s face light up when they tear off the wrapping paper.

1. Rechapados Ferrer Queen’s Gambit Walnut Chess Set

Do you have a friend who still hasn’t recovered from The Queen’s Gambit? (Ahem… I’m one of them.) 

I swear, every time I see Anya Taylor-Joy’s Beth Harmon with her perfect eyeliner and mid-century dresses, I want to redecorate my whole apartment. If you know someone like that, this Rechapados Ferrer Queen’s Gambit Walnut Chess Set is the gift that will make their heart skip.

The walnut chess board looks like it was plucked straight out of a 1960s hotel suite. The hand carved chess pieces are sleek but substantial, the kind you want to leave set up even if you’re not playing. 

And let’s be real, it’s a little piece of Netflix history sitting right in the living room.

When they unwrap this, they’ll get it immediately. The style, the glamour, the quiet confidence of Beth Harmon herself. And you’ll get the credit for giving them the coolest gift under the tree!

2. The Royale Chess Set, Box & Board Combination

When you’re shopping for someone who already has everything, you start to panic a little.

But, trust me, The Royale Chess Set isn’t going to sit in a corner collecting dust. You may be surprised to see it has become a part of their home the next time you visit. That’s what makes this one so special as a holiday gift. It’s about giving something that slips naturally into daily life. A board that lives on the coffee table, ready for quiet evenings or family nights that stretch long after dessert.

The hand-carved chess pieces feel sturdy and smooth, crafted from fine hardwoods that lend them a real presence in your hand. There’s a weight to them that makes every move satisfying, almost ceremonial. 

The matched box and chess board mean nothing gets lost or forgotten, and it looks beautiful no matter where it sits. When you give this, you’re giving something they’ll play with, display with pride, and maybe even pass down. 

3. The Classical Staunton Series Chess Set & Tiroir Combination

My grandfather had a Staunton chess set with a drawer just like this one. He kept it in his study, and every holiday we’d crowd around it like moths to a lamp. 

My siblings and I fought over who got to set it up, and years later, when it finally came to us, we had to invent a rotation schedule — six months here, six months there — like some kind of custody arrangement for chess pieces.

To this day, it still makes the rounds at family gatherings, and honestly, it feels like he’s still sitting across the board (with a slight proud smile on his face after he realized I defeated him).

That’s the charm of a set like this. The hand carved hardwood pieces have a weight that makes every move feel deliberate, and the tiroir drawer means nothing goes missing, not even after decades. 

It doesn’t shout for attention, but it quietly becomes part of the home, part of the family’s rhythm.

Give this to someone you love and watch — years from now, people will still be arguing over whose turn it is to keep it.

4. The 1962 Varna Olympiad Commemorative Chess Set, Box & Board Combination

You know how some gifts instantly feel like they were made for the person you’re giving them to? This is one of those. 

If you’ve got someone in your family who loves chess history, the 1962 Varna Olympiad Commemorative Set will light them up in a way socks and sweaters never could.

I love this one because it feels like you’re gifting more than a game. These hand-carved chess pieces are based on the design used at the Varna Olympiad, so there’s a story sitting right there on the chess board.

And trust me, chess players love telling stories while playing chess (this set practically invites that).

The first time they set it up, you’ll see the look. That quiet smile that says, “This is special.” And months later, you’ll notice it hasn’t been packed away. 

It’ll be living in the living room, catching the eye of every guest. That’s when you’ll know you gave something unforgettable.

5. The Zagreb ’59 Gilded Chess Set & Board Combination

There are some gifts you know will get the big “wow” the moment the wrapping comes off. The Zagreb ’59 Gilded Chess Set is going to be one of them. If you’ve ever wanted to give something that feels a little glamorous but still timeless, this is it.

The gilded detailing on these hand carved chess pieces makes them sparkle under soft holiday lights in a way plastic never could. They’re polished, weighty, and made from hardwoods that feel wonderful in your hands. 

Place them on the matching chess board and you’ve got a set that’s part game, part centerpiece. I promise you, even people who don’t play will walk over just to look.

Here’s the thing I love most — it’s a conversation starter. Imagine friends gathered after dinner, someone notices the shimmer of gold, and suddenly everyone’s leaning in. That’s the beauty of giving a set like this. It’s not just for playing chess, it’s for making the room feel special.

If you’re curating cool chess sets for the holidays, this one absolutely belongs on your list.

6. The Burnt Zagreb Combo (3.75" King)

Some gifts have that “old-world charm” you can’t fake, and the Burnt Zagreb Combo is just that. The first time you see it, you’ll notice the rich, warm tones — almost like the wood has been kissed by fire. 

It’s striking, and it feels different from anything you’d casually pick up in a store.

The chess pieces are hand carved from solid hardwoods, each with its own unique character thanks to the burnt finish. I’d give this to someone who loves tradition but also appreciates a bit of edge. 

They feel substantial in your hand, the kind of weight chess players instantly appreciate when playing chess. The chess board is bold yet elegant, the perfect stage for pieces that already look like art.

It’s not flashy, but it definitely has a powerful presence. The kind of presence that makes people pause when they walk past it. I actually love when that happens, and isn’t that what you want in a gift? 

7. Folding Wooden Magnetic Travel Chess Set (5")

I’m sure we all have that one person in our family who’s always on the move. 

You know the type… one week they’re on a train, the next they’re texting you from an airport lounge. If that sounds familiar, this Folding Wooden Magnetic Travel Chess Set is the perfect gift for them.

The beauty of it is how practical and elegant it feels at the same time. The hand carved chess pieces are magnetic, so no one’s scrambling under the seat when turbulence hits. 

The whole chess board folds neatly in half, making it easy to slip into a backpack without taking up space. Because it’s made from polished hardwoods, it has that rich, warm finish that makes opening it feel special every single time.

Imagine them pulling this out during a snowy cabin trip or on a long train ride… it turns travel into something cozy, something memorable. 

Honestly, this is one of those cool chess sets that proves a small package can carry a lot of heart.

8. Drake Magnetic Travel Chess Set

I bet you’ve got that one family member who insists travel doesn’t mean giving up style. 

They breeze through the airport in a wool coat while you’re still fighting with your hoodie. They sip coffee from porcelain cups, while everyone else grabs a paper one. Their carry-on somehow looks like it belongs in a fashion spread. For them, the Drake Magnetic Travel chess Set is perfect.

This set has that same quiet elegance. The ebony finish makes it look far more luxurious than any “travel board” has the right to. Even the chess pieces lock neatly onto the chess board with magnetic bases, so even a bumpy train ride won’t disrupt the game. 

The size is big enough to feel substantial, small enough to pack without a fuss. What I love about this one is how it matches the personality of people who live stylishly, even in motion.

It’s practical, yes, but it’s also the kind of gift that makes people smile the moment they see it. When they unwrap this, they’ll know you thought about who they are — their love for little adventures and their love for chess, tucked neatly into one clever, portable package.

Let's Wrap Some Cool Chess Sets!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always felt the best gifts are the ones that linger. Not the gadgets that stop working by March, not the sweaters that get shoved in a drawer, but the things that quietly weave themselves into someone’s life. 

A chess set has that power. It sits on a coffee table long after the wrapping paper is gone, waiting for a lazy Sunday or a snowy evening when someone says, “Want to play?”

What I love most is how different each of these sets feels. Some are designed for travelers who refuse to compromise on style while on the road. 

Others are elegant enough to make your living room look pulled together even when there are pine needles still stuck in the rug. 

So if you’re still hunting for something that feels thoughtful, lasting, and just a little bit magical, one of these might be it.