Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Chess Board

Last updated on June 14, 2023

We looked at the top 9 Chess Boards and dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Chess Boards.

Best Chess Board

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Our Picks For The Top Chess Boards

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

AMEROUS Hand-Carved Gift Chess Board

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

AMEROUS

Hand-Carved Gift Chess Board

Whether you're new to the game or a master player, this chess board is an excellent pick. The board uses the power of magnets to keep the pieces secure on the board during play. Thanks to the felt underneath each piece, you won't have to worry about scratching your board as you make your moves.

Overall Take

Great Christmas or Birthday PresentThe attractive storage box and handcrafted pieces make this chess board ideal for gift giving.

 Runner Up

Syrace Strategy Retro Chess Board

Syrace

Strategy Retro Chess Board

Not only does this chess board use rich colors, but it also features decorative wood carvings along the edges. Each set measures 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters when open. The pieces fit inside the board when folded closed, so you won't have any trouble storing the set when not in use.

Overall Take

Stylish OptionWhether you're young or old, this chess board will keep your brain sharp.

 We Also Like

Pressman 3-In-1 Strategy Chess Board

Pressman

3-In-1 Strategy Chess Board

When you with this chess board, you'll also be able to play checkers and backgammon. The board is double-sided and the set comes with 30 plastic interlocking checkers and a full-size set of chess pieces. The board folds in half and all of the pieces fit neatly inside the storage box.

Overall Take

Multiple Games IncludedUse this chess board to introduce young players to the magical game of chess.

 Strong Contender

Chess Armory Felted Game Board Interior Wooden Chess Board

Chess Armory

Felted Game Board Interior Wooden Chess Board

This wooden chess set is large in size at 15 by 15 inches. It folds for easy storage and is made of quality wood with inlaid walnut.

Overall Take

Large Game BoardThis wooden chess set is made of quality materials and is large in size at 15 by 15 inches.

Pros
" The wooden chess set measures 15″ x 15,” which is an ample space for you to play your game comfortably. It is lightweight and compact with the ability to fold so you can easily transport the chess pieces without losing..."
Cons
"While there are some downsides to this product, like non-weighted pieces and less intricate design."

Buying Guide

No matter what your level of experience with chess is, you can benefit from a chess board in your home. To start, there are many decorative chess boards that will enhance your décor. You can set it up in a home office, den or other area to add a little something. If guests come to visit, they may even choose to start up a game.

But many chess board buyers plan to regularly use the chess board. Whether you’re a novice or experienced player, there are some features you’ll want to look for as you search for the right chess board. No matter what your level of play, you’ll find that some qualities in a chess board are useful to almost everyone.

One of the most important factors in a chess game is the design of the pieces. You can find chess boards with pieces that are handmade, with attention to detail, but you may pay more for that level of craftsmanship. If you’re interested in reducing cost, you can likely get by with a board that skips a little of the detail in the design of its pieces.

The board itself will likely be the most important feature for you. As an accent piece in an area of your home, you can go fairly elaborate, with tables made from natural wood, but if it’s for a game room or you’ll be storing it between uses, you can save money by buying a board with a less elegant build.

In recent years, piece storage has advanced as manufacturers have found unique approaches. Some boards build storage for your pieces into the underside of the board. If you want to store the board between uses, simply turn the board over, insert the pieces and fold the board up to keep the pieces inside. If you opt for this type of board design, it’s often best to ensure that your pieces have a way to anchor into place, either through an included pouch or slots built into the surface. Otherwise, your pieces could bang into each other as you move the board, which can damage them.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the chess boards available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

33

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Wiki EZ Vid, The Review Index, The Good Estate, Best Top Now, TopTenReviews.

38,949

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Chess Boards and also dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Chess Boards.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Pressman 3-In-1 Strategy Chess Board

Key Takeawy

When you with this chess board, you'll also be able to play checkers and backgammon. The board is double-sided and the set comes with 30 plastic interlocking checkers and a full-size set of chess pieces. The board folds in half and all of the pieces fit neatly inside the storage box.

What to Look For

  • There are multiple types of chess boards. Decide before you start shopping what type of set you need. Set types include decorative versions that serve primarily as furniture, practical and tournament sets that are built to endure frequent use, theme sets that include fun designs and travel sets that fold up so you can take your game with you.
  • If you opt for a travel set, there are magnetic chess boards that will hold the pieces in place if you’re playing on a moving vehicle like a car or a plane. A magnetic chess board should be lightly magnetized so that pieces stay in place but aren’t difficult to move around.
  • Look at the size of the chess pieces. While piece size is a matter of personal preference, you likely want to make sure your chess pieces are proportionate to your board. There is some wiggle room here, as long as the pieces fit comfortably within the squares. USCF regulation chess boards have squares that are 2.25 inches, with the king’s height being 3.75 inches.
  • Chess pieces can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal and plastic. To get the darker chess pieces, manufacturers will typically use a darker wood like ebony or rosewood. Sheesham is a popular wood type for the natural brown types of chess pieces. You’ll find chess pieces made from bud rosewood are extremely rare, which means you’ll pay a premium for sets made from it.
  • The type of wood used for the board itself is important. Nicer chess boards will be constructed from natural woods like beech or birch wood and feature a finish that protects it from damage.
  • Weight is another important feature in chess pieces. If they’re weighted, they’ll hold their spot easier if the board is jarred. Also look for pieces that include felt on the bottom to prevent scratching the board as you move the piece around.

More to Explore

The origin of chess is uncertain, but one story traces it back to the sixth century AD, during a time known as the Gupta Empire. Legend has it that an Indian king named Shahram, known as a tyrant, was bored with the games he currently played. A mathematician presented chess, which was originally called Chaturaṅga, to the king after an announcement that the king was looking for a new game. Chatur means four, and it’s said that the name was inspired by the four branches of the army: infantry, cavalry, elephantry and chariotry, which are represented by the pawn, knight, bishop and rook.

From our partners