Welcome To Quality-Chess.net,

Our goal is to provide you with the finest chess products that you will be proud to use and display in your home. To that end, we have selected only the best quality chess products at the most reasonable prices. In addition, we offer a multitude of information and videos on chess related topics designed to help you learn more about the game of chess.  But don’t take our word for it…take your time to explore all that we have to offer.

	Wood Chess Sets – Our wood chess sets are handmade by skilled craftsmen from a variety of countries including Spain and Germany. The high quality woods used in our chess boards and chess pieces include maple, rosewood, walnut, hazelnut, madrona (aka arbutus), ebony, and boxwood (aka buxus).  Chess board sizes range from 12 inches to 22 inches, with square sizes ranging from 1.5 to 2.6 inches. And they come in a variety of matte and glossy finishes.  Wooden King chess piece sizes range from 2.5 inches to 5.5 inches, and King base diameters range from 7/8 inch to 2.1 inches.  Attention to detail is impeccable and the variety of designs, woods, and price ranges provide you with a tremendous selection of wood chess sets. Take a look…we’re sure you’ll find something that will absolutely thrill you!
	Alabaster Chess Sets – Our unique selection of Chiellini Alabaster Chess Sets are handmade by skilled craftsmen in Volterra, Italy.   Alabaster Chess Sets are made in a variety of designs, colors, and sizes, and each has its own unique statement that sets it apart from all others. Alabaster chess board sizes range from 13.5 inches to 15 inches, and King chess pieces are three inches tall with 1-1/8 inch diameter bases.   The translucent quality of alabaster makes it a stunning choice for chess sets and other fine products.
	Metal Chess Sets – As you can see in the photo, metal chess sets have a unique quality that really grab your attention. Our Manopoulos metal chess sets are made by skilled craftsmen outside of Athens, Greece. Many of these sets depict the mythical and classic figures of ancient Greece. The chess boards are made of a meticulously enamel-painted brass plate over pressed wood, and the chess pieces are made of 95% nickel. Our metal chess boards come in a variety of sizes ranging from 11 inches to 21.25 inches, with a variety of colors including traditional brass, red and blue. King piece sizes range from 1.5 to 4.2 inches tall, and King bases range from 0.5 to 1.5 inches in diameter. If you want to make heads turn, display one of these stunning metal chess sets in your home or office.
	Wood Chess Boards - Our wood chess boards come in a variety of sizes and designs, and most are crafted in Spain and Germany. Wood types include maple, rosewood, walnut, hazelnut, briarwood, madrona and ebony. Board sizes range from 12 inches to 22 inches, and square sizes range from 1.5 to 2.6 inches. Square sizes range from 1.5 to 2.6 inches and boards are available in both matte and glossy finishes. What square size should your board have for your selected chess pieces? It’s actually a matter of personal preference, but the recommended square size is the width of the base of the King should be 78% of the width of the square. In other words, you would divide the King's base diameter by 0.78 to get the proper square size. Example: a King with a base diameter of 1.5" should have a square size of 2.0 inches (1.5" / .78 = 1.92, rounded to 2.0 inches). Therefore, you should use a chess board with no less than 2 inch squares.
	Metal Chess Boards – Our metal chess boards are crafted by Manopoulos just outside of Athens, Greece. The chess boards are made of a fine enamel-painted brass plate over pressed wood, with a variety of sizes ranging from 11 inches to 21.25 inches. Square sizes range from 1.5 to 2 inches. Colors include traditional brass, red and blue. What square size should your board have for your selected chess pieces? The recommended square size is the width of the base of the King should be 78% of the width of the square. In other words, you would divide the King's base diameter by 0.78 to get the proper square size. Example: a King with a base diameter of 1.5" should have a square size of no less than 2 inches (1.5" / .78 = 1.92, rounded to 2 inches). So, if you’ve already selected your chess pieces, you now have a way to calculate the required square size of the board.
	Wood Chess Pieces - Our wood chess pieces are crafted from high quality materials including rosewood, ebony, sheesham, and boxwood. In addition to the standard German and French Knight pieces, we carry an array of other styles including French Lardy, French and British Staunton, Old Russian, Laughing Knight Staunton, Chevalier, Royal, Modern Berliner, Bridled Knight, Chetak Fancy Knight, Emperor, Imperial, Lotus, Meghdoot, Monarch Staunton, Regal, Royal Crown, Stallion Knight, Windsor, and others. Wooden King chess piece sizes range from 2.5 inches to 5.5 inches, and King base diameters range from 7/8 inch to 2.1 inches.  The recommended piece size is the width of the base of the King should be 78% of the width of the square. For example, if your selected board has 2 inch squares, the recommended King base size would be no more than 1.6" in diameter (2" x 0.78 = 1.6").
	Metal Chess Pieces - Our distinctive metal chess pieces are crafted by Ital Fama in Italy and Manopoulos in Greece. The pieces are made of nickel or brass. The nickel pieces contain 95% nickel and 5% metal alloy. The brass pieces are solid brass. Metal chess piece King sizes range from 1.5 to 5.5 inches, and King base diameters range from 0.5 inch to 1.5 inch.  The recommended piece size is the width of the base of the King should be 78% of the width of the square. For example, if your selected board has 1.75 inch squares, the recommended King base size would be no more than 1.4" in diameter (1.75" x 0.78 = 1.4"). Our metal chess pieces can be used on metal or wood boards…it’s your preference.
	Theme Chess Sets – For those who desire a distinctive theme related chess set, we offer hand painted marble resin chess pieces on custom-matched wood boards. King pieces are 3.25 inches tall with base diameters ranging from 1 inch to 1.13 inch. Board sizes range from 15.75 inches to 17.5 inches.
	Computer Chess Games – If you’re into playing electronic chess, we have several computerized chess games made by Saitek, including Mephisto Talking Chess Academy, Master Chess (endorsed by Garry Kasparov), Talking Chess Trainer, and three different models of hand-held travel chess computers. There is something here for everyone who needs a chess computer.
	Chess Clocks – We carry chess clocks made by Saitek, Excalibur, and BHB. Regular retail prices range from $60.95 to $122.95, but we offer them for considerably less.
	Chess Tables – Our online store carries a variety of chess tables, ranging from classic to elegant designs. Regular retail prices range from $122.95 to $860.00, before our generous discounts.  The higher end chess tables are made of elm with inlaid squares of sheesham or briar wood.  Some tables are made in Italy, and some include chess pieces.
	Chess Boxes – We carry several top quality chess boxes to help protect your chess pieces. Regular retail prices range from $57.95 to $116.95, before discounts.  We’re sure you’ll find a chess box that will meet your needs at a reasonable price.
	Articles On How To Play Chess – If you’re looking for information to help improve your chess game, take a look at our library of articles on chess strategies and tactics. You’ll learn everything from the basics of playing chess to sophisticated strategies and tactics that will have your opponents crying for mercy!
	General Chess Articles – For general information on chess, take a look at our general chess articles page. No, these are not some boring articles that will put you to sleep. Some are very informative. We recommend the three part series titled Why Kids Who Play Chess Outperform Their Classmates by Robert Sasata.
	FREE - The Blue Book of Chess – Learn to play chess from the Champions. This marvelous 342 page e-book showcases the combined genius and skill of the old chess heroes like Philidor, Morphy, Staunton, Anderssen, Harrwitz, Evans, Montgomery and Cochrane, together with more recent masters such as Lasker, Steinitz, Schlechter, Pillsbury, Marshall, Tarrasch, Janowsky, Tchigorin, and many other players of world-wide celebrity. The Blue Book of Chess is designed to illustrate chess strategies for the intermediate player, as well as the beginner.  No matter what your skill level, this book will help you get to the next level…fast! And it’s FREE!! Get yours now!
	FREE Videos On Chess Strategies and Tactics – It’s ok to read articles and books on chess strategies and tactics, but the lessons really come alive when seen on video! We keep an up-to-date library of videos to help you learn and get to the next level. Spend some time in our video vault and learn the secrets that most chess players will never know about! It’s FREE!
	Fun Chess Videos – Break away from the seriousness of the competition and have a little fun.  For a little comic relief, we’ve provided some interesting and fun chess related videos. Take a look and lighten up your day!

Chess Sets – How Much Should You Pay?

The progenitor to chess, Chaturanga, is thought to have been developed in India around 5 A.D, although there are some chess historians that trace chess’ origin back to the Chinese game of Xiang-Qi in 2 B.C. Regardless of its argued origins, chess playing enthusiasts keep the game of strategy alive and treat their chess sets as gates to a higher, more enlightened plane of thought.

From the very first monotone wood chessboard to the digital opponent, chess sets are continuing to be made from a myriad of materials and a multitude of designs. All of this variation of quality and construction is confusing to inexperienced buyers and may result in over-paying for marginally higher quality chess sets.

How much should you pay for a chess set? To answer that you must first ask yourself the following question.

What are your needs and what is your budget?

Are you a chess junkie and can’t even ride the bus without wanting to play? Handheld chess games, a.k.a. digital chess sets, range anywhere from $29.95 for a unit that requires you to place pins into electronically monitored holes and displays those results via LCD display, to the breeds of super cell phones that will run you almost $600 for the pleasures of linked real-time play.

Do you play the occasional game when friends or family come to visit? Wood Chess Sets that you can fold up and store in the game closet can range from as low as $8.00 without sacrificing size. Hardier chess sets start around $20.00 and will stand up better to abuse. This may be good to consider if you’re purchasing a child’s first chess set or your uncle isn’t very good at controlling his temper when you mate him in twelve moves.

Are you a traveler who isn’t finished packing until you’ve tucked away a chess set into your luggage? Well, there is the aforementioned digital option, but what if you hate opponents made of blinking lights and beeps? Well you can experience human interaction and physical game play for as little as $8.00. However, some of the budget models don’t stand up well to the actual traveling part of their duties.

Are you a snob when it comes to chess sets? Do you believe that chess sets are elegant and functional pieces of furniture? Well, your price range can reach astronomical amounts. One of the most expensive chess sets ever sold took thirty artisans six months to handcraft. It was constructed with 14K white gold and nearly 10,000 black and white diamonds. The asking price was a modest $500,000.

If you aren’t in the privileged position of looking for chess sets while getting your yacht repainted, you will be happy to know that there is a large selection of moderately priced chess sets available. Good quality chess sets that can be played with great satisfaction and handed down for generations are priced as low as $45.00 to as much as $500. The optimal combination of price, durability and visual quality can be found in chess sets ranging from $80 to $300. It all depends on your desire and budget.