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Time to read 6 min
A chess set is one of those rare gifts that works on every level: it is beautiful to look at, rewarding to use, and it lasts a lifetime. Whether you are buying for a beginner just catching the bug, a serious player, or someone who simply appreciates a handsome object for the home, there is a chess gift to suit. This guide breaks the options down by budget and by who you are buying for, so you can find the right set with confidence, whatever you want to spend.
Chess makes such a good gift precisely because it grows with the person. A child given a set can still be playing on it decades later, which is why it so often becomes a keepsake rather than just another present. Let us start with how to choose.
The best chess gift depends on two things: who you are buying for, and what you want to spend. A few quick questions make the choice easy.
Are they a player or an admirer? If the recipient actually plays, prioritise a set that is good to use: proper weighted pieces and a board sized to match. If they love the look of chess more than the game, you have licence to choose something decorative, a themed or sculptural set that works as much as an ornament as a game.
Beginner or experienced? A newcomer is best served by a classic, standard set they can learn on, ideally one that will still satisfy them as they improve. An experienced player may already own the basics, so a gift is a chance to give them something finer, a collector's piece or an upgrade on what they have.
What is the occasion? A milestone birthday, anniversary or retirement invites a statement piece meant to last and be displayed. A first Christmas with the game, or a gift for a child, calls for something practical and hard-wearing they will actually play on.
With those in mind, here are our recommendations by budget.
You do not need to spend a great deal to give a chess gift someone will treasure. At the more affordable end, the goal is a complete, good-quality set that plays well and looks the part, without the premium price of a collector's piece.
Look for a standard set with weighted pieces and a matching board, or a practical set with built-in storage, which is ideal for a beginner or a family that wants a set to keep in the living room. A set with a storage drawer or box is particularly good value as a gift, since it keeps everything together and looks tidy on a shelf between games. Our guide to the best chess sets is a good place to find a well-made option that punches above its price, and our full range of chess sets has plenty of complete sets that make excellent, affordable gifts.
Step up a little and you reach the sweet spot for gifting: sets that feel like a genuine occasion to unwrap, with better materials, more substantial pieces, and a board that looks wonderful in a room. This is the range to choose for someone who plays regularly, or when you want the gift to feel special without reaching heirloom prices.
Here you will find beautifully turned wooden sets, handsome boards, and pieces with real weight and presence. A quality wooden set in this range is a gift that a player will use for years and an admirer will happily leave on display. It is also the ideal point to size up thoughtfully: if you are unsure what size suits, our guide on what size chess board to get helps you choose a set that feels right rather than cramped or oversized.
For a milestone occasion, or when you simply want to give something extraordinary, a premium chess set is a gift that becomes a keepsake. These are the sets that get passed down, displayed proudly, and remembered as the finest present someone received.
At this level you are choosing craftsmanship and heritage as much as a game. Our luxury chess sets range gathers the finest pieces we stock, from exquisitely detailed designs to sets in premium materials. For a truly special gift, the Royal Selangor pewter collection is hard to beat: these are collectible, hand-finished sets from a 140-year-old maker, as much art object as chessboard, and exactly the kind of piece that makes an unforgettable milestone gift. A set like this is not merely a present; it is something the recipient will keep for the rest of their life.
If you are still narrowing it down, thinking about the person often makes the choice clear.
For a partner or a milestone occasion, a premium or heirloom set says the gift was chosen with real care, and gives something that lasts as long as the relationship. For a parent or grandparent, a handsome traditional set to display and play on suits perfectly, and a set with storage keeps it easy to bring out. For a child or a new player, a durable, complete standard set they can learn on is ideal, and one they will not outgrow. For the person who has everything, a sculptural or collectible set is a gift they will not have thought to buy themselves.
Gifts carry a little extra pressure to get right, which is where buying from a specialist helps. Every Sterling Chess order is backed by our 100 day free returns, so if the set is not quite right for the person, it can be returned or exchanged without fuss. For a gift, that safety net is worth a great deal: you can choose boldly, knowing there is no risk if it does not land as you hoped.
We also stock and ship here in Australia, so a gift arrives without the delays and duties of ordering from overseas, which matters especially in the run-up to Christmas. Ordering early in the season is always wise, but local stock gives you more room to leave it late if you need to.
A complete, good-quality standard set with weighted pieces and a matching board is ideal for a beginner. Choose one they can learn on but that is nice enough to keep using as they improve. A set with built-in storage is a practical bonus that keeps everything together.
An experienced player likely owns the basics, so a gift is a chance to give something finer: a quality wooden set, a collector's piece, or an upgrade on what they have. Premium and heirloom sets, including collectible pewter sets, make especially memorable gifts for a dedicated player.
You can give a thoughtful, complete set at a modest price, step up to a beautiful wooden set in the mid-range, or choose a premium heirloom piece for a milestone occasion. The right amount depends on the person and the occasion; there are excellent gifts at every level.
Yes, chess sets are among the most rewarding Christmas gifts, because they suit all ages, get used for years, and often become keepsakes. Ordering early in the season is wise, and buying from an Australian stockist helps ensure the gift arrives in good time.
Craftsmanship and longevity. A well-made set is a beautiful object that is displayed as much as played with, and because it lasts a lifetime it often becomes a keepsake passed down through a family. Premium and collectible sets in particular carry the sense of occasion that turns a game into a treasured gift.
Few gifts combine beauty, usefulness and longevity the way a chess set does. Decide who you are buying for and what you want to spend, and there is a perfect set waiting, from a thoughtful first set to an heirloom piece worth passing down.
Browse our full range of chess sets to find a gift at any budget, or explore our luxury chess sets and Royal Selangor collections for something truly special. Every Sterling Chess order is backed by our 100 day free returns, so you can give with complete confidence.
Written by Kurt Ebrado, Customer Experience and resident player at Sterling Chess. Kurt helps customers choose gifts across the full range Sterling Chess stocks, and fields the gift question more than almost any other in the lead-up to Christmas, from first sets for children to heirloom pieces for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. He believes the best chess gift is the one chosen for the person, and that a good set is a present someone remembers for decades.
