When it comes to having fun with your family and friends in your garden, a giant chess set can easily provide that result. An outdoor chess set offers some great benefits that I am sure that you probably haven’t thought and I am sure that you will find interesting. My goal is to show you what is like to own a life-size chess set and show you what kind of giant chess sets are available at the market.
The story of my friend who owns a giant outdoor chess set
A couple of years ago, a close friend was trying to find a nice chess set that himself and his family would enjoy. He went to two stores but he couldn’t find anything that was amazing. So, he decided to continue his research online. The result of his research was that a giant chess set would be ideal for him because he was searching for a way to make his backyard more beautiful.
One day, I decided to visit him and he showed me his new giant chess set. He told me that he bought it online because he couldn’t find it in any store and the whole family was enjoying it very much. His last observation I could notice myself because there was one member of his family that was delighted with it, his 2-year-old son! While we were talking, his little guy was moving the large chess pieces in a random way. At some point, his mother, in order to feed him, was struggling to take him to the kitchen because he wanted to keep playing. It was amazing that my friend bought this giant chess set in order to play against his elder son or his wife and his younger son was using it more than anyone.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Giant Chess Set
From this story, you can easily notice some important benefits of owning a giant chess set. So, here are the pros.
- There is a lot of excitement in playing with a giant chess set due to their size. The giant pieces make the experience more intense.
- It’s an excellent way to introduce the game to kids. Children like to play with the giant pieces because to them, they are just big toys. It’s so curious and exciting to them that they will beg you to show them the moves of the game as it happened with the sons of my friend.
- An outdoor chess set is an ideal item for a garden. You can place a set like this indoors but I think the garden is the right place for it. A backyard is a place for all the family to relax and have fun which makes it the perfect place to put a unique item like this.
- A large chess set is a unique decorative piece that will definitely make other people take a closer look at it. People tend to enjoy watching it because it’s an item that you don’t see every day.
- It encourages people to move their body. If you have been studying chess for years then you know for sure that chess is not good for your back. Grandmasters who study at least 8 hours per day are obligated to play sports. A giant chess set is a good way to practice in chess and stay fit.
- All giant chess sets are made from durable materials and they are resistant to corrosion. It makes sense to be made that way since they are exposed to the elements.
- In most sets, you can adjust the weight of the pieces to your preference by adding weights. So, wind won’t be an issue.
Also, there are some cons in having a giant chess set.
- The bigger of them require a lot of space. A typical board has side length of 5-10 feet depending on the length of the pieces.
- The cost of a large chess set very often exceeds 100$. However, you can find nice sets at an affordable price.
My research
There is a big variety of giant chess sets that you can find online. So, I decided to find the best deals by making a research. A took into account factors like the size, the quality, the price and the reviews of the set. When it comes to reviews, I trust Amazon.com because you can find many of them, so, you know what to expect. Also, Amazon has a big variety of giant chess sets and it’s easy for me to make comparisons.
Recommended Giant Chess Sets
1.MegaChess – Black and White – Plastic – 12 inch King
Features:
- The King is 1 foot tall and is 4.5 inches in diameter.
- Made of high-density plastic
- Resistant in staining and fading
- Lightweight
- Includes 32 pieces but not the board
Conclusion
This giant chess set is smaller in comparison with the others in my list. It has received many good reviews and it is the cheapest option. This set along with a mat are available at an affordable price. I have made a list of mats later on the article. Check it out here on Amazon.
2.Uber Games Giant Delux 12″ and 24″ Outdoor Chess Sets with optional Nylon Mat or PVC Game Board
Features:
- King size 12 or 24 inches in length
- Includes 2 Kings, 2 Queens, 4 Bishops, 4 Knights, 4 Rooks, 16 Pawns
- Made of durable PVC
- Chessboard dimensions 10×10 feet or 7×7 feet
Conclusion
This large chess set comes in two different sizes and there is an option to buy along with a nylon mat or a plastic board. The reviews are excellent and the price range is big depending on what you buy. Check it out here on Amazon.
3 and 4. MegaChess Large Chess Set and Large Chess Mat – Black and White – Plastic – 16 inch King (Mat is Not Included by Clicking Here)
Features:
- Includes 16 White and 16 Black pieces
- King’s length is 16 inches
- Made of high-density plastic
- There is an option to buy a nylon mat along with the pieces
- Metal grommets with metal stakes to secure mat to the ground (bought with the mat)
Conclusion
It’s definitely one of the best sellers and you can buy it with a nylon mat or without it. It offers great value for money and it has received very good reviews.
5 and 6.MegaChess Giant Premium Chess Set with 25 Inch Tall King and Giant Chess Mat (Mat is not included by Clicking Here)
Features:
- 32 large chess pieces
- King’s length is 25 inches
- Made of High-Density Plastic
- There is an option to buy a 9 x 9 feet nylon mat along with the pieces
- Metal grommets with metal stakes to secure mat to the ground (bought with the mat)
Conclusion
It is one of the best sellers and very popular in the market. You can buy it with a nylon mat or without it. The reviews are all extremely positive but it is not a cheap solution.
7.Kettler Giant Chess Pieces Complete Set with 25 Inches Tall King
Features:
- 32 giant chess pieces
- King’s length is 25 inches
- Constructed using weather-proof polyethylene resin
- Board is not included
Conclusion
Another best selling giant chess set that is manufactured with quality and the reviews are very good. This set is similar to the previous one on my list. The 3-year warranty and free shipping make it a very good choice for non-US citizens. Check it out here on Amazon.
8.MegaChess Giant Chess Set – Red and White – 25 inch King
Features:
- Includes 32 giant chess pieces
- Made of High-Density Plastic
- King’s length is 25 inches
- Mat is not included
Conclusion
It is the most elegant chess set with a 25 inches tall King. The combination of white and red is amazing and this giant chess set has received great reviews. However, the Red pieces may fade when exposed to direct sunlight so it is better to use them indoors or cover them when you are not playing. There are cheaper sets in the market but its price is worth to be paid. Check it out here on Amazon.
9.MegaChess Giant Chess Set – Black and White – 37 inch King
Features:
- Includes 32 giant chess pieces
- Made of High-Density Plastic
- King’s length is 37 inches
- Mat is not included
Conclusion
It is one of the largest sets of its category and the size of the King is comparable to the size of a small child. Given that its reviews are very positive and its size is very large, it is available at a higher price than previous sets. Check it out here on Amazon.
10.MegaChess Giant Chess Set – Black and White – 49 inch King
Features:
- Includes 32 giant chess pieces
- Made of High-Density Plastic
- King’s length is 49 inches
- Mat is not included
Conclusion
It’s the largest set in the list and it’s definitely a one of a kind item. However, such a special set comes at a much higher price than any set in my list. Check it out here on Amazon.
Giant Mats
Some chess sets are available without the mat. That is why I prepared a list of the mats.
1.Hammer Crown Garden Hard Chessboard That Fits Garden Chess Pieces Set
This mat is out of durable plastic and it has received good reviews. It is available at an affordable price. Check it out here on Amazon.
2.MegaChess Giant Checkers Game Mat – Nylon
It includes a nylon mat along with four metal grommets and metal stakes used for anchoring. It has received positive reviews and it is available at an affordable price. Check it out here on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
I hope all the above information gives you the big picture. In case you want to buy something make sure that you will find exactly what you want according to your needs and preferences. Also, you can read other articles that I have written about cool chess sets like glass, harry potter and marble chess sets. Please comment on this article and if you have found value in it, share it with friends. Enjoy chess.
Do you think whether it will has more fun with artificial grass chess board? 64 White and black artificial grass grids will make the backyard pretty cool.
Hi Bruce. It’s a great idea. I haven’t come across it anywhere but it could be done with a few plastic straps or even nails. Thanks for your comment.
Dear Giannis
Thanks for a very good chess website.
I am a chess player from Denmark. I own a house with a nice garden and I have built a chess board with black and grey concrete tiles. I have been trying to find chess pieces made of teak wood but without success. The teak sets I have found on net-stores have all had “white” pieces that are far too dark
Do you have any good ideas where I can find such a set with a king height of 24 inches, and with white pieces that are sufficiently light.
Thanks
Best Regards Axel