Oct 14

Luxury Wood Chess Sets

Play in style with these beautiful customizable chess sets.

Note: In this article, I link to several vetted products from House of Staunton, the most respected name in luxury chess sets since 1990. I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you if you purchase through a link. I purchased and fell in love with these sets years before becoming an affiliate partner and it’s my pleasure to share them with you today.

Breathe Easy

Have you ever noticed how much easier you breathe when you experience something high quality?

Whether it’s a vehicle, a meal, or even a chess set, being able to enjoy something that a lot of care went into is a wonderful feeling.

When I bought my first non-plastic set, it blew me away. The slight guilt I felt spending that amount on a hobby was quickly drowned out by the feeling of playing on something so stunning.

Upgrade Your Chess Set

If you’re using a vinyl chess set, don’t throw it out. Vinyl chess boards and plastic pieces have their place.

Having something light-weight makes going to chess clubs easy and if a piece were to break it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

There’s something to be said, though, for a luxury chess set that looks amazing and feels good to play on.

Whether you’re a lover of chess, are shopping for a friend, or your child is learning to play, having a stunning tournament-ready set is a game-changer.

Let’s look at 4 of my favorite high-end chess sets.

#1 The Savano

~ $8,000

We’re starting with the head-turning Savano.

This hand-carved beauty boasts a unique Knight design and two of the most sought-after woods on the planet.

It comes with its build documentation, a fitted chess piece box, and a lifetime warranty against hairline cracks.

Learn more here.

#2 The Zagreb

~ $1,000

Next up, we’ve got the Zagreb, a timeless set adapted from the famous style used in the World Championship Candidates Match in 1959.

It’s unique in that it comes with interchangeable King tops (finials) that allow the owner to choose between a cross-top or ball-top.

Learn more here.

#3 The Superior Grandmaster

~ $400

This phenomenal set offers a sleek, high-contrast playing area that makes a statement wherever it’s placed.

Unlike other quality sets that sacrifice-in my humble opinion- board clarity with overly-fancy woods, this set properly prioritizes the stage making pieces and positions very easy to see.

You can learn more here.