Traditional chess sets involve purchasing the chess pieces and a board separately but most retailers sell combination sets where everything has been paired up and are ready for play. If you're looking for something less traditional and easy to carry with you on the go, travel sets run smaller in size and can fit in a bag or a purse.
Electronic chess games are basically advanced computers programmed to help the user become a better player and often they'll come with teaching software to help you learn moves and strategies to increase your skills. Many schools have chess clubs as part of their curriculum for which club and tournament sets are ideal.
These are also portable sets including weighted plastic chess pieces and vinyl/plastic boards. Due to the competitive nature of chess clubs and tournaments, there are specific regulations in place concerning the sizes of the chessmen, the board, and even the squares upon its surface that must be complied with in order to bring your set to formal competition.
Types of Chess Sets
Staunton Chess Sets
Staunton is the recognized standard used in tournament play. Considered the most traditional sets, they’re instantly recognizable by their ornate carvings and the well-balanced feel of the pieces. A number of variations exist with the Staunton style with differences in the carving of particular pieces, (specifically the knight), depending upon the derivative pattern you've chosen. The modern versions of these sets are typically wood and plastic, but they’re available in other materials such as marble with gaming pieces ranging in size from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches in height.
Tournament/Club Chess Sets
Due to their intended use in tournament or club play, these sets typically include plastic pieces, a roll-up chessboard made of vinyl, with everything stored in a portable carry bag. The boards are available in various colors but green and white is the preferred color combination.
Official tournament play has specific regulations for the size of the board and pieces which are used as set forth by the United States Chess Federation by-laws. Their strict rules stipulate the height of the king must fall between 3 3/8 to 4 1/2 inches while the diameter of the base of each piece must be between 40-50 percent of the height.
Portable/Magnetic Chess Sets
A portable or magnetic set is the perfect choice for the traveling chess player. These sets vary in sizes and materials, but they're all designed for portability. The boards often have some type of integrated storage area for the game pieces and can fold into a compact carrying case or wallet-sized item
Some of these sets let you keep all the pieces in place even after it's been closed up thanks to magnets or pegs in the pieces which plug into tiny holes in the board. Depending on the size of your board the shapes of the pieces can vary also, ranging from flat circular pieces with icons of the corresponding game pieces printed on top, to three-dimensional miniature pieces with a magnet or peg in the base.
Instructional Chess Sets
As the name implies, these sets are instructional in nature and made to accommodate a range of skill levels. A teaching booklet and other instructional aides are typically provided to help you remember how the pieces move; sometimes simple instructions are even printed on the bases of the pieces themselves. These sets vary in size, the materials used, as well as their suitability for either a younger or older player.
Folding Chess Sets
Though similar to a typical portable set, folding chess games include a full set of pieces and corresponding storage compartments when not in use. These sets can sometimes be bigger and heavier than a standard portable set but they’re available in sizes, making them easy to carry. Many folding sets are made out of wood or other high-quality materials, offering a wide range of board sizes from 10 to 21 inches.
Electronic/Computer Chess Sets
There are two common types of electronic sets available. A pressure sensor set requires you to push down on the piece before and after your move so the board can register the move. An auto sensor plays much like a regular board with interior sensors recording the move when the piece is placed down.
Electronic chess computers can teach you how to play the game better or offer a challenging alternative to playing against another person; some even offer a number of variable settings to increase or decrease the skill level of the computer. Most come with digital displays, instructional games, and other convenient features. These sets are available in variety of sizes with some being small to others measuring 13-20 inches across.
Purchasing Tips
Sizing
When buying a set of pieces by themselves, you’ll need to make they’re properly matched up with the board you select. Prevailing chess guidelines dictate the size of the king determines the proper size of the board. The base of the king should not take up more than three quarters of the size of the squares; otherwise the pieces will bunch up, thus hindering gameplay.
Quality
Like any other product, chess pieces and boards can vary in quality. Inspecting specific parts of a set should give you a pretty good indication whether or not they’re of high quality. You want your pieces to be double or triple weighted so they’ll feel heavy and solid in hand.
The carving of the pieces themselves is another way to ascertain the quality of the set. The knights, as well as the king, are the best pieces to inspect as their carvings require the most care and attention. How ornate or complex do these pieces pieces look to you? Are they finely detailed and well cut? If so, you have a good set on your hands.