The Best Chess Sets to Fuel Your Queen's Gambit Obsession

In the week's since The Queen's Gambit first premiered to wide acclaim on Netflix, sales for chess sets have risen 125 percent, according to The New York Times. As a result, boards and pieces are flying off of the shelves faster than manufacturers can replenish them. Dare we say: Chess sets appear to be the latest must-have quarantine purchase.

But how do you pick a good chess set—one that Beth Harmon herself might be proud to own? "There are so many quality options when it comes to chess sets and preference of the player plays a large role in what;s considered to be quality or not," says Noelle Kendrick, business development director for the House of Staunton and USCF Sales. But there are some key commonalities among those preferences, such as heavily-weighted pieces, intricate carvings of the knights, and pieces that match the board, she explains. Of course, a good chess set—whether for beginners or pros—should also be functional and durable enough to last, too.

That said, it may surprise you to learn that the price of a chess set swings wildly, with some perfectly satisfactory themed sets retailing for as little as $15 and other more luxurious tournament-style pro sets selling for a thousand dollars or more.

If you're exploring your options, we recommend taking a look at the following chess sets. There's something for everyone, whether you're making a real investment in your chess-playing future with an expensive championship board or simply want something for under $100—or even $50—your kids can learn on.