Online chess will never be as exciting as on the board game play is. The act of physically touching the pieces, the display of human emotions, the satisfying click of the clock, and the tangible feeling of pieces being taken off the board—all of these sensations can only be fully experienced in traditional chess.
On top of that, playing on a physical board elicits a wide range of emotions, including tension, excitement, and the strategic decision-making process. These elements are often absent or limited in online chess.
In this article, we aim to assist you in finding the perfect wooden chess set and pieces to enhance your over-the-board (OTB) chess experience.
For chess clocks, check out our separate guide on choosing the right chess clock for your games.
7 Best Wooden Chess Sets – At a Glance
1. The Jarilo, Unique Wooden Chess Set
This chess set is handcrafted and hand-carved using premium wood.
Renowned for its quality and design The Jarilo, Unique Wooden Chess Set features a board with dimensions of 21 x 10.5 x 2.8 inches and includes pieces that adhere to the standard sizes used in top-level tournaments, with the king piece standing at 4.33 inches tall.
Each piece is meticulously crafted, lightweight, and equipped with felt pads on the bottom to ensure smooth, noiseless movement.
Additionally, the chess set has internal storage for the pieces, providing convenience and organization.
With a 5/5 star rating from 81% of buyers based on over 863 ratings, this chess set is highly appreciated by enthusiasts for its craftsmanship and functionality.
2. Wegiel Handmade Junior European International Chess Set
Wegiel offers a wooden handmade foldable chess set that is both practical and elegant.
The board measures 15 x 15 x 2.5 inches and is crafted from a combination of beech and birch wood, giving it a classic, handmade feel.
It features a metal lock for secure storage, ensuring that the pieces remain safely inside when not in use.
Each piece is crafted from hornbeam and sycamore wood, felt-bottomed, and weighted for a balanced feel during play.
The folding board has individual compartments to securely store each piece, adding to its convenience.
With a 5/5 star rating from 71% of buyers based on over 400 ratings, this chess set is highly regarded for its quality and craftsmanship.
3. Design Toscano Gods of Greek Mythology Chess Set
The Hey! Play! Store offers a distinctive foldable wooden chessboard with unique metal pieces, ideal for outdoor gaming.
The board measures 21 x 21 x 0.5 inches and is designed to provide excellent wind resistance, making it perfect for playing while traveling.
The metal pieces securely attach to the board, ensuring that their positions remain undisturbed.
The foldable design enhances portability, and the pieces have designated storage compartments within the folded board for added security.
With a 5/5 star rating from 66% of buyers based on over 1000 ratings, this chess set is highly appreciated for its durability and functionality.
4. LaModaHome Star Mega Size VIP Wooden Chess Set
LaModaHomeStore offers a beautifully handcrafted and hand-carved chess set, made of inlaid Maple and Walnut wood, originating from the Carpathian mountains of Europe.
The individual board squares are tournament size, measuring 2.25 x 2.25 inches, with a playable game area of 18 x 18 inches.
The full set, including pieces, weighs 9 pounds. The king piece stands at 3.5 inches tall with a base diameter of 1.38 inches and a weight of 1.6 ounces, while the pawns are 1.75 inches tall with a base diameter of 1 inch and a weight of 0.6 ounces.
Each piece is precision carved from Boxwood in dark brown and light brown, weighted, and features padded felt bottoms for smooth and quiet movement.
Despite having previously garnered an impressive 4.8/5 star rating from over 60 ratings, the set’s current rating has declined to 3.7/5 stars after 83 ratings.
Notably, 41% of buyers have awarded it a perfect 5/5 star rating.
5. Wegiel Handmade Jowisz Professional Tournament Chess Set
Wegiel offers a highly rated premium wood chess set, boasting a 4.5-star rating based on over 980 buyer reviews.
The chessboard, measuring 16.54 x 16.54 x 0.98 inches, is crafted from inlaid Mahogany and Maple wood, providing a beautiful and durable playing surface.
Weighing 4.2 pounds, the set is sold without pieces, though the pieces can be purchased separately from the store.
The king piece, available for separate purchase, stands at 4.33 inches tall.
Each piece is handcrafted, ensuring a lightweight construction, and is equipped with felt pads on the bottom for smooth, noise-free movement.
6. Walnut Styled Wooden Chess Set
The Hey! Play! Store offers a wooden chess set with board dimensions of 19.7 x 19.7 x 3.5 inches.
This set features a magnet closure for secure storage and includes pieces available in white and brown colors.
While the exact size of the king piece is not specified, reviews and ratings suggest that the set includes standard-sized pieces and is of high quality.
With over 1070 ratings, this chess set maintains a solid 4.3/5 star rating, reflecting its popularity and overall positive reception.
7. Brown Chess Set
Chess and Games Shop Muba offers a high-quality wooden folding chess board, measuring 16.5 x 8 x 2.35 inches when closed.
Crafted with a natural wood color palette, the board maintains a classic and elegant appearance without any added colors.
The set includes felted, unweighted chess pieces, with the king piece standing at 3.5 inches (9.0 cm) tall.
This chess set has garnered a 4.2 out of 5-star rating based on 10 ratings, reflecting its quality and appeal among buyers.
