If you’re a chess enthusiast, you may wonder where to acquire a good set without breaking the bank. Read on for the best chess sets under 100$.
People have been playing chess since ancient times, making it one of the most popular board games in the world. Two players can use a board divided into 64 squares to play against each other. The game’s goal is for players to move their pieces around the board and capture their opponent’s king.
Before buying, consider numerous factors. We found the top 11 boards after much research. Here are the top-rated chess sets under 100$ and other essential information.
What Factors are Important Before Choosing a Chess Set?
If you’ve lately developed an interest in chess and are now in the market for a set, there are a few things to keep in mind. A quality chess board is essential if you plan to play the game casually with friends or compete in tournaments.
So, before you go out and buy a chessboard, let’s have a look at the four most crucial criteria.
Elegance
If you’re looking at a chessboard as a decorative accent for your house, aesthetics may take precedence over functionality. It is widely held that having a chessboard in one’s home gives off the image of intelligence and sophistication to guests.
In this case, you can pick a chessboard that harmonizes with the room’s design by matching the color of the drapes.
Price
Chess is a time-consuming hobby, so if you find that playing with a nicer set, such as a hardwood chessboard and wooden pieces, improves your experience; it may be worth the additional investment. If you’ve never played before, I recommend picking up a cheap set with plastic pieces to see if you enjoy the game. If you do, then you can invest in a higher-quality set later.
Promise yourself a new chess set if you’ve reached a certain level of play or defeated a certain opponent to keep you motivated to keep playing and improving.
Dimension of Chess Board
A chess set’s proportions are crucial. In particular, if you are not buying your first chess set and do not have a lot of spare shelf space. The larger the chess set, the more space it provides and the more money you may expect to spend on it.
The importance of different factors, like anything else, is directly related to the goal at hand. A little pocket chess set is most likely not ideal if you want to compete in chess competitions. If, on the other hand, you plan on using a train, you will likely need one.
Size
The size of the chessboard you require will determine whether you plan to use it at home or take it wherever you go. There is also a correlation between the size of the set and the price.
When one’s eyesight isn’t quite up to par, it might be challenging to utilize a chessboard of the regular size, which is why a larger chessboard is of the utmost importance for those who are visually impaired.
If you buy the board and the pieces separately, they should have dimensions that are comparable to one another. The king’s base is recommended to take up at least 75% of the available space in a square.
If you buy the board and the individual pieces at the same time, you won’t have to worry as much regarding whether or not they will be able to fit together properly.
Best Chess Sets under 100$
Palm Royal Handicraft Wooden Folding Chess Board
A group of the best craftsmen in the world handcrafted this magnetic folding chess set with premium quality wood and finished it in a warm brown. The board is lined with an iron sheet, and each chess piece is magnetized so you can move on the board. The chess pieces have dedicated compartments and are proportionally proportioned to the board. Two locks secure the pieces when folded, making the set convenient for travel. This magnetic, foldable board game is necessary for any extended trip. It can also be a luxurious ornamental piece even if you never leave the house, so picking that option would be wise.
There are felt straps inside the board for anchoring your pieces, and the joints fold flush with the board so they won’t harm the table. The chessboard, a checkered board with 64 squares organized in an 8 by 8 grid, is used for this two-player strategy game.
| Features | |
| Brand | Palm |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Educational |
| Number of players | 2 |
| Dimensions | 12.5” x 12.5” |
Advantages
- Superior timber
- It’s a fairly spacious board
Disadvantages
- The quality of the parts is disappointing
WE Game Fancy Medieval-Themed Chess Set
This chess set from the Middle Ages, designed to make you feel like a member of the nobility, features chess pieces shaped like kings, knights, and queens, as well as castle turrets. Its brown- and ivory-colored pieces are vintage in design, and the 15-inch board with walnut and maple hue squares is purposefully weathered to match. This set is ideal for novices and more advanced players familiar with classical openings such as the Queen’s Gambit.
Craftsman beautifully crafted these chessmen with a lot of attention to detail reminiscent of Celtic and 14th-century styles. Middle Ages quickly swept across Europe with the game we recognize and enjoy today. Its seemingly endless permutations make it one of the most difficult strategy games. Chess has survived the test of time and can be found in every region of the globe.
| Features | |
| Brand | WE Games |
| Chessmen | 32 |
| Material | Wood |
| Number of Players | 2 |
| Dimensions | 15” x 15.041” |
Advantages
- This board is built to last
Disadvantages
- If dropped, the pieces may crack or chip
Personalized Engraved Wooden Foldable Magnetic Chess Set with Extra Queen
This foldable chess set makes road trips easier, as it is lightweight and collapsible and can be taken virtually anywhere. It includes magnificent Staunton-style chess pieces and a convenient case for keeping them in, and the algebraic abbreviations simplify both learning and playing chess, making it ideal for all levels of players.
They constructed this board from a top-notch mixture of woods. Adults and kids can enjoy it due to its velvet base and plush surface, making it a pleasure to play on. Additionally, a powerful magnet keeps game pieces in place for portability and convenience. Furthermore, this board safely and securely stores the chess pieces in foam-lined slots.
| Features | |
| Brand | A&A |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Strategy |
| No of Players | 2 |
| Dimensions | 14.96 x 7.48 x 2.2 inches |
Advantages
- Features that are both durable and luxurious can be found in both the board and the pieces
Disadvantages
- The lack of significant detail in pieces is a direct result of their small size
Indian Wooden Drawer Chess Board 12’X12′ Inches
This Indian hardwood chess set is crafted with the world’s finest natural wood patterns. This magnetic chess set keeps the pieces securely in place until you move them, so your game can last several days. Each chess piece fits neatly into its compartment in the built-in drawer, and the pieces are all proportionate to the board.
Because of this, you won’t have to worry about losing any parts, and it will be convenient to bring along. This can be an ideal birthday gift for youngsters because it is an integral part of education that sharpens the intellect. It can be a beautiful accent to virtually any room’s design when it’s not used as a musical instrument. Having one makes good horse sense, and they make excellent presents for any event.
| Features | |
| Brand | Generic |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Educational |
| Dimensions | 12” x 12” |
| No of players | 2 |
Advantages
- Quite a sizable board is included
- There are a lot of hefts to the chess piece
Disadvantages
Under the reflection of the light board seems to be very glossy
Wegiel Handmade European Professional Tournament Chess Set With Wood Case
The Staunton standard weighed chess pieces in this hand-carved chess set are suitable for tournament play. It comes in King 3.9 “(9.8cm), the queen is 3.2″(8.1cm), and the pawn is 1.8″(4.6cm).
It’s handmade by Polish artisans using European methods. This chessboard is perfect for the holidays because it is tournament size. Many chess players will appreciate the traditional look and feel of this hardwood board, crafted by hand and featuring algebraic coordinates in the form of numbers and letters along its perimeter. This chess board, made by hand in Poland from sustainably sourced wood, is an excellent example of traditional design and deserves to be shown.
| Features | |
| Brand | Wegiel |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Strategy |
| No of players | 2 |
| Dimension | 21” x 21” |
Advantages
- The frame is made out of birch and beech wood
- It has a place for each chess piece built right in
Disadvantages
- The individual parts are enormous
Hathaway Prodigy Wood Chess & Checkers Set Walnut
It’s all in your head! Made by hand from Walnut and maple, the Prodigy wood chess and checkers set are of the highest quality. The finely crafted hardwood game components with felt pads on the bottom match the traditional design of the square chess and checkerboard pattern.
There are two felt-lined drawers, each located on each side of the Prodigy, for storing game pieces while not in use and making transport a breeze. The high-quality furniture-grade Walnut cabinet finish completes this impressive work of art.
| Features | |
| Brand | Hathaway |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Dimensions | 18.9” x 18.9” |
| No of players | 2 |
Advantages
- The wood used is high-quality
Disadvantages
- There’s no way to fold it up
Handmade European Wooden Chess Set
Excellent craftsmanship went into carving this chess set from solid hornbeam wood, making it a valuable treasure. The chess pieces of this chess set are entirely handmade. The craftsman makes the board of this portable Junior Chess Set from beech and birch wood; they adorn the borders with numerical and letter algebraic coordinates. The craftsman used hornbeam and sycamore wood to make the felt playing surface and the weighted chessmen.
Each chess piece has its dedicated storage space within the board, making it ideal for tournament play. The folding chess board has unique slots for each chess piece, so they can all be stored safely together. This Polish chess set is entirely handmade from responsibly sourced wood, yet it retains the timeless elegance of a classic design.
| Features | |
| Brand | Chess and games shop Muba |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Eurogame |
| No of players | 2 |
| Dimensions | 21” x 10.6” x 2.6” |
Advantages
- The chess pieces are likewise exquisitely designed
- It’s small and light, which is great
Disadvantages
- The chess pieces are ridiculously tiny
Wegiel Handmade Jowisz Professional Tournament Chess Set
Whenever folded, the board is kept securely shut with two brass clasps, and the high-quality beech and birch wood construction offers it a classic, handmade touch that many chess fans will love.
The king is 3.4 inches (8.5 centimeters) tall, the queen is 2.8 inches (7.1 centimeters) tall, and the pawn is 1.5 inches (3.7 centimeters) tall; the chessmen are handcrafted, has felt bottoms, and are fashioned from hornbeam and sycamore wood.
Folding chess boards typically feature unique storage spaces for the chessmen, ensuring that the pieces remain pristine during transport. This complete chess set is produced in Poland from locally sourced wood.
| Features | |
| Brand | Wegiel |
| Material | Wood |
| No of players | 2 |
| Dimensions | 16.54” x 16.54” |
| Genre | Strategy |
Advantages
- Because the wood is sourced from a farm, it is made from renewable resources
- The markings for algebraic notation down the sides make this a useful tool for beginners
Disadvantages
- There is no weighting to the parts
- The chess pieces are not of good quality
World Chess Championship Tournament Set
Its most beautiful chess sets, used in World Chess Championship matches and Grand Prix events, are made of wood. The company has produced a plastic version of the Official World Chess Championship set in a replica of the wooden set. The white and black weighted chess pieces have a total weight of 553 grams, and the 1.2-kilogram board has the same weight. This is the finest chess set available for serious tournament play. The square size of this special and well-designed set’s high-quality cardboard chess board is 48 millimeters.
Whether they’re just starting or seasoned veterans, this chess set has something for everyone. It is packaged in an adorable little case that fits the theme well. The official chess set includes a foldable regulation board and weighted black and white chess pieces presented in a gift box. The box with a magnetic clasp comfortably keeps the components and the folding. Best travel chess set and a great starter set.
| Features | |
| Brand | World Chess |
| Material | Plastic |
| Genre | Strategy |
| No of players | 2 |
| Dimensions | 9.06” x 9.06” x 3.15” |
Advantages
- The overall playing experience is quite satisfying
- Each chess piece is designed comfortably
Disadvantages
- It’s a junky piece of cardboard
- The weight of chess pieces is too low
CHH Imports Magnetic Walnut Cafe Chess Set
The game of chess in this set is time-honored. It has chess pieces in dark brown and creamy finishes and drawers to store them. Here we have a CHH imports magnetic walnut cafe chess set with a masterpieces Lord of the Rings 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. It’s constructed from a strong, puzzling board that locks together securely.
| Features | |
| Brand | CHH |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Dimensions | 1.3” x 10” x 10” |
| No of players | 2 |
Advantages
- It offers convenient storage space for the pieces you’ll be holding as you play
Disadvantages
- The top of this chessboard isn’t level, although it has an upward bow shape.
Handmade European Wooden Chess Set with 16 Inch Board
Beech and birch woods were used to create this folding chessboard, which features number and algebraic letter coordinates along its borders, and it is secured with two brass clasps, making it a fantastic set that doesn’t take up much space.
The weighted and felt-bottomed chessmen are handmade from hornbeam and sycamore wood and have exquisitely detailed designs. Folding chessboards with individual slots for each piece, they’re safe against damage during transport.
This full chess set is produced in the European Union from sustainably sourced farm-grown wood, and its superior quality warrants a prominent display.
| Features | |
| Brand | Chess and games shop Muba |
| Material | Wood |
| Genre | Eurogame |
| Dimensions | 16” x 8” x 2” |
| No of players | 2 |
Advantages
- This chess set is made from wood from renewable sources
- The pieces are made of hand-carved oak and are beautifully carved
Disadvantages
- The pieces are not weighted evenly, which can make the game more difficult
Conclusion
The durability of the pieces in the set should be the primary consideration when purchasing a chess set. A chess set should be visually pleasing. An unattractive chess set would look out of place in anyone’s home, so style is the key. Depending on personal taste and availability, you can find your best chess sets for under 100$. My goal in writing this article was to provide you with the greatest chess set available online in terms of quality and price.