Designer and Themed Chess Set Pieces

Various styles and themes of chess set pieces have been designed throughout history. If you're looking to buy a chess set of good quality then there are a number of things to consider. The first thing you probably will look at is the style or theme but you also need to decide how the set will be used. Will it be used in tournaments, decoration, or maybe just for family fun? Who will be the primary user of the set? Are they a beginning player or a collector? When you buy chess sets you need to find just the right combination of qualities including size, weight, style, craftsmanship, and material. There's a chess set out there for everyone.

Like most chess sets, the pieces steal the show and that’s normally what you’ll focus on but even the chess boards for some sets may be more themed then others. If you really like a particular board you could buy two sets of different sets of pieces to be used on that same board. You could even use different materials for the pieces such as metal and glass. The great thing about chess sets is that you can mix and match boards with pieces how ever you like.

Themed Chess Sets

Themed chess sets turn your game into a game of history and fantasy that lets your imagination loose. Chess pieces for themed sets are often painted and created in remarkable detail, so the material used needs to be easy to paint and often consists of pewter or possibly marble resin. Unlike more traditional chess sets, themed sets are easier to pick out because you normally know what theme you want. When shopping for traditional chess sets, the material is usually one of the primary focuses but with themed sets the material is less of a concern since any of them can be viewed as a collectible chess set. The available sets are only left to your imagination.

Tournament Chess Sets

If you''re looking for a tournament set then you need to find a set that meets tournament regulations. This specifically means a particular size, weight, and sometimes style. The pieces must usually be within a particular size range and should also be in a particular proportion with one another and the board. As far as style goes, Staunton chess sets are the standard and are perfect for tournaments. Isle of Lewis and Staunton are classics.

Decorative Chess Sets

If you're looking for a set that can be used for decoration, then material, craftsmanship, and size are the areas you want to focus on. The more detailed the pieces the better. As far as material goes you have a choice of nearly anything you could want including stone, wood, or even camel bone.