Buying a Chess Set Made Easy
There are many options when it comes to buying a chess set. Unsurprisingly, as in chess, good preparation is vital to purchasing a chess set.
By taking time to become clear about your needs and how you will use the chess set, you can avoid being overwhelmed by the number of options available to you. Knowing precisely what you want before going shopping will save you time and quite possibly money as well.
Instead of being overwhelmed by the variety, consider the multitude of styles and materials advantageous. You are sure to find one that suits your specific needs.
Things to Consider in a Chess Set
There are three main factors to consider when choosing a chess set:
- Price
- Purpose
- Portability
How Much Do You Want to Invest?
Chess sets range in price from under $20 to over $1000. The vast range makes it virtually impossible to say you will choose the midpoint.
When an item you want to buy ranges from $15 to $75, you can always divide the difference in half and add it to the lower figure. This will give you a rough idea of balancing quality and price.
In this example, you could choose $45 as your midpoint - $15 plus $30 (75-15/2). However, when it comes to chess sets, the range is so broad using this formula could leave you with a midpoint of several hundred dollars.
Of course, if you were to set a smaller range for yourself, this formula could prove helpful. Let’s say you budget somewhere between $20 and $50. Then you could start looking for chess sets priced in the region of $35.
Price is only one component of what you must consider when buying a chess set, and on its own cannot guarantee you will choose the perfect chess set. It can provide a short list of chess sets to choose from and save you time shopping.
What Purpose Must the Chess Set Fulfill?
Even if your intention is only to play a few games with friends at home, it is essential to choose a chess set that makes playing the game enjoyable.
You do not want a board that is so small you keep knocking pieces over. Nor do you want small pieces that make it difficult to tell the bishop and pawn apart.
Also, remember that even if you are a beginner today, you will likely get better and might want to play in tournaments. Spending a little more now on a tournament-size board will prove a good investment.
The other advantage of choosing a tournament-size board and pieces is that they are comfortable to use and easy to tell the pieces apart. After all, they would not get used in tournaments if people did not find them enjoyable to use.
If you want a chess set to take to coffee shops, getting magnetic pieces might work best for you. This way, you don’t need to worry about people bumping your table and knocking the pieces over.
Many magnetic chess sets fold in half and allow you to store the pieces inside the board. You do not need to worry about forgetting the pieces in your eagerness to play chess with your friends.
When you know the chess set will remain in your home, you can consider heavier chess sets made of metal or marble. The various styles available nowadays make it easy to find one to match your home décor.
Chess tables often have a drawer to store the pieces, chess clocks, and scoresheets. The wide variety of wood used in chess tables means you are sure to find one that appeals.
Do You Want a Chess Set That Travels?
When it comes to taking a chess set on the road, the weight of the chess set is almost as important as the price. For some, it is more important than the cost.
How often do you hear people complaining their luggage or backpack is too light? You seldom, if ever, listen to people say, “I wish this suitcase weighed an extra twenty pounds.”
Along with weight, another vital factor for a travel chess set is how easy it is to pack. Buying a chess set for a road trip allows you more options in terms of size and weight than if you are taking it on a hike.
That nice wooden chess set might work well in the car, but a vinyl chess set is a much better option if you have a ten-mile hike from the parking to the cabin.
Thanks to fabric advances, more people are choosing to fly with only a carry-on suitcase. A vinyl board you can roll and tuck to the side works well.
Nowadays, it is not only clothing that comes with a wrinkle-free option. The World’s Greatest Chess Set comes with a thin mousepad board you can roll up and never worry about creases.
Do You Want a Chess Set That Travels?
When it comes to taking a chess set on the road, the weight of the chess set is almost as important as the price. For some, it is more important than the cost.
How often do you hear people complaining their luggage or backpack is too light? You seldom, if ever, listen to people say, “I wish this suitcase weighed an extra twenty pounds.”
Along with weight, another vital factor for a travel chess set is how easy it is to pack. Buying a chess set for a road trip allows you more options in terms of size and weight than if you are taking it on a hike.
That nice wooden chess set might work well in the car, but a vinyl chess set is a much better option if you have a ten-mile hike from the parking to the cabin.
Thanks to fabric advances, more people are choosing to fly with only a carry-on suitcase. A vinyl board you can roll and tuck to the side works well.
Nowadays, it is not only clothing that comes with a wrinkle-free option. The World’s Greatest Chess Set comes with a thin mousepad board you can roll up and never worry about creases.
You can combine it with high-quality plastic chess pieces in a pouch. These chess pieces do not weigh much, and the pouch can lie flat inside your bag.
Many airlines will allow you to take a chess bag with your carry-on suitcase. Call ahead and check with them because a chess bag can prove very useful when you reach your destination.
Transporting your chess set, clock, and scoresheets in a chess bag will help reduce the chance of you forgetting anything.
In Conclusion
Although the practical aspect of chess might rein us in a little in terms of meeting tournament requirements, chess players can express their individuality and flair in their play.
Striking a balance between ease of use, price, and portability has never been easy when it comes to choosing the perfect chess set. There is such a wide range of options it is almost impossible to go wrong.
Chess sets make great gifts and show your support for a future chess champion. They also help draw us away from sitting in front of a computer screen.
Even if you do not play chess, there is always help on hand to guide you in finding the perfect chess set. Between the chat option and a phone call, you can get all your questions answered.
