How Do You Choose Wood Chess Sets?
The game of chess has long been considered the pastime of choice for intellectuals and sophisticates. For true chess aficionados, the game is a serious sport and the tools with which one plays must be of the highest quality. Some consider wooden chess sets, particularly the House of Staunton chess sets, to be the ideal choice for professional players. Whether you are serious about chess and want a top-shelf wooden set as a collector’s item or just for regular play, you’ll need to know what to look for. Look for sets with chess pieces (called chessmen) made from boxwood and ebony or ivory and Wedgewood Carrara. These are likely to be some of the oldest crafted sets and may be original Staunton sets made by the firm of John Jacques of London. Ivory is the most rare and valuable. Look for larger sets. Larger sets, known as “Club” sets, are usually worth more than the “Library” or “Standard” sizes. Look for older sets. Older chess sets, especially those manufactured before 1900, are ever i
