Guide to choosing a chess set

GUIDE TO CHOOSING A CHESS SET

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Matching chess pieces and a board

Match the size letters: any Size M chess pieces can be paired with any Size M chess board, and any Size L chess pieces with any Size L chess board. If the letter matches, the sizes are compatible.

Two ways to choose a complete chess set

Choose the board and pieces together

Our Chess Sets include both chess pieces and a chess board. We have already paired the sizes for you.

Choose them separately

Start with either Chess Pieces or a Chess Board. Stay within the same M or L size, or open Combine with… on the product page to see our recommended matches.

Where to find Combine with…

Every product page for chess pieces or a chess board includes a section called Combine with…. Open it to see recommended matches for the product you are viewing: chess boards for chess pieces, or chess pieces for a chess board.

On a desktop, Combine with… is one of the tabs below the product information. On a phone or tablet, scroll below Add to basket and tap the Combine with… row to open it.

The recommendations are a curated starting point, not the only compatible choices. As a general rule, pair Size M pieces with a Size M board, and Size L pieces with a Size L board.

If you are considering mixing the M and L size groups, you are welcome to contact us for help checking the proportions.

The Combine with tab on the Siena chess board page, showing compatible chess pieces and the automatic 2.5% order discount.
Example: chess pieces recommended for the Siena chess board.

The simple size guide

Compatible chess-piece and chess-board size pairings
Match Chess pieces Chess board
M + M Size M King height 3.75–4.2 in (9.5–10.7 cm) Size M 5.0 cm (1.97 in) squares
L + L Size L King height 4.25–4.75 in (10.8–12.1 cm) Size L 6.0 cm (2.36 in) squares

For a closer look at proportions

The circles show the king’s base viewed from above. The king usually has the widest base in a chess set, so it is used for this comparison. A smaller base leaves more visible space around the piece, while a larger base creates a fuller look.

  1. About 75% More open

  2. About 80% Balanced

  3. About 85% Fuller

The percentage compares the diameter of the king’s base with the width of one square. These are visual examples, not pass-or-fail limits. They are included for customers who want to fine-tune the look; M + M and L + L remain compatible without any calculation.

Lacquered or unlacquered?

Choose chiefly according to the sheen, reflections and surface feel you prefer. This section focuses on those surface qualities; woods, natural colours and decorative colour treatments are covered under Woods and colours. Finish does not affect size compatibility.

Chess pieces

Lacquered

A lacquer coating generally gives the pieces a smoother, more uniform surface, with more sheen and stronger reflections in bright light. The lacquer may be clear or coloured.

Unlacquered

Without a lacquer coating, the pieces generally have a lower sheen, and more of the wood’s natural surface character remains apparent to the touch. Unlacquered does not mean unfinished.

Neither represents a higher or lower level of quality. The difference is one of appearance and feel.

Chess boards

Our chess boards are described as high-gloss, matt or ultra-matt according to their level of sheen and reflection.

High-gloss
Pronounced sheen and strong reflections
Matt
Reduced sheen and softer reflections
Ultra-matt
Very low sheen and minimal reflections

The difference can also be felt: high-gloss boards generally have a smoother, more uniform surface, while matt and especially ultra-matt boards have a fine surface texture that is more apparent to the touch.

Do the finishes need to match?

No. Lacquered chess pieces can be paired with a matt chess board, and unlacquered pieces with a high-gloss board. Matching and contrasting finishes are both valid choices.

For fewer reflections, start with unlacquered pieces or a matt or ultra-matt board. For a more reflective appearance, look for lacquered pieces or a high-gloss board.

Woods and colours

This section explains the woods, natural colours, grain patterns and decorative colour treatments used in our chess pieces and boards. See Finish for surface sheen, reflections and feel.

Chess pieces

Pale boxwood chess pawn
Boxwood Naturally pale, with a fine and generally even grain. It can also be antiqued, burnt or finished in other colours.
Warm brown antiqued boxwood chess pawn
Antiqued boxwood Boxwood treated to give it a darker, warmer tone. This is a colour treatment, not a separate wood.
Red-brown padauk chess pawn
Padauk Naturally orange-red to red-brown, with visible grain.
Black ebony chess pawn
Ebony Naturally very dark brown to black, with subtle variation in colour and grain.
Pairing colours
Padauk can form the darker side when paired with boxwood, or the lighter side when paired with ebony.
Antiqued boxwood
Antiquing darkens and warms boxwood without changing its wood species. The 1849 Staunton chess pieces are available in ebony with antiqued boxwood, and this pairing is used in the 1849 Andalucia complete chess set .
Colour treatments
Some designs use colour over boxwood rather than relying on its natural tone. The Earl chess pieces have a smooth, even coloured lacquer and are also used in the Earl Duo complete chess set . The New York chess pieces use hand-finished paint-splatter detailing and are also used in the Manhattan complete chess set .
Burnt boxwood
The darker Vulcan chess pieces use burnt boxwood with visible tonal variation beneath a glossy lacquered finish. The same pieces are used in the Vesuvius complete chess set .

Chess boards

Chess board descriptions identify the woods and veneers used for the playing surface. Examples in our range include root of elm with maple, root of walnut with maple, and ash burl with poplar.

Natural colours and grain patterns vary from board to board, so each board is slightly different.