Chess Set: Make room for one more game

Will it live on a table or in a bag?

A chess set makes a thoughtful gift for someone who likes a game with one other player. Start with where it will be used. A set left out at home can be larger; one carried to a friend's house needs to pack away conveniently.

Measure the open board against the available table space and check the folded dimensions if storage is tight. There should be comfortable room for both players to see and move the pieces. Very small travel sets save space, but can feel fiddly over a long game.

Make the position easy to read

Clear light and dark squares and recognisable pieces help the player concentrate on the game. Traditional Staunton-style shapes are familiar to many players. A themed set can be fun for a fan, though it's worth checking that the different pieces are easy to tell apart.

Compare the piece bases with the squares, and look for stable pieces with clean edges. Wood can be attractive to leave on show; plastic and a practical board can be a sensible choice for frequent carrying. Neither material alone tells you how pleasant the set is to play with.

Check the contents before buying: you want the eight-by-eight board and all 32 playing pieces. Some listings sell just the board or just the pieces. For a learner, a clear rules leaflet is a useful inclusion, without needing a complicated teaching gadget.

Don't overlook putting it away

Folding boards may store the pieces inside, while other sets use a pouch or separate box. Check how it closes and whether the pieces have a protected place to travel. The board should also open flat without rocking on its hinge.

Magnetic pieces can be helpful on a travel set; check the playing size and how easily the pieces lift. It isn't a promise that a game will survive every bump.

Extra queens are useful for pawn promotion, and a source of replacement pieces can save a set after one goes missing. If the recipient plays at a club, ask what equipment they prefer before buying for competition: an appealing gift set isn't automatically suitable for an event.

The separate set with a wooden board can follow the traditional wood theme for a fifth wedding anniversary. Check the board uses real wood, with the pieces described separately: some sets combine a wooden board with metal or acrylic pieces. Choose for someone who enjoys the game rather than expecting an anniversary gift to make them learn it. The general choice retains other materials.

Keep the inscription out of the game

A name or short dedication can make a chess set a keepsake as well as a game. Establish whether the wording goes on the outside of the folding board, its edge or the playing surface, and consider how visible the pieces and squares will remain.

Check the custom package still includes a complete board and all the pieces. Compare its actual playing size and storage with the ordinary set before paying for engraving. Personal wording is not evidence of tournament suitability or a particular wood construction.