How to Choose a Chess Set for Kids to Learn
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A good first chess set for a child is sturdy, easy to read and a little boring. Fancy themed pieces are fun to look at, but a child learning the moves needs to tell a bishop from a pawn at a glance. Here is what to look for.
Pieces a child can recognize
Choose classic Staunton pieces. That is the standard design used in clubs and tournaments, with a cross on the king and a horse head on the knight. Kids who learn on these pieces will recognize them at any school club.
Themed sets with cartoon characters or animals are fun as a second set. As a first set, they can make learning harder, because the shapes do not match the pieces in books, videos and games.
Weighted pieces have a little metal in the base. They tip over less easily when a small hand bumps the board, which saves a lot of frustration. Search weighted chess pieces if your set's pieces are too light.
Pick the right kind of set
| Set type | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Roll-up vinyl board, plastic pieces | Learning, school clubs, travel bag | Board may curl at first; lay it flat for a day. |
| Wooden board and pieces | Home, a gift that lasts | Light pieces tip easily; check the weight. |
| Magnetic travel set | Car rides, waiting rooms | Pieces are small. Not for very young kids. |
Many school chess clubs use a roll-up chess set with plastic pieces. It is cheap, tough and the same set a child will see at a club. For a gift that stays on a shelf, a wooden chess set looks nice. For trips, a magnetic travel set keeps the pieces in place.
A board with letters and numbers
Look for a board with the letters a to h and the numbers 1 to 8 printed along the edges. These are coordinates. They let a child follow a lesson, a book or a video that says "move the knight to f3." It is one of the most useful features for learning, and many low-cost boards have it.
The base of each piece should fit inside a square with a little room around it. If a listing gives the king's height and the square size, compare the two. If pieces crowd the squares, the board is too small for them.
Safety and age labels
Chess pieces are small parts. Check the age label on the listing and keep pieces away from children under 3. Magnetic travel sets often have tiny pieces and magnets, so read the label carefully for younger kids.
Nice extras
- A chess clock. Not needed to learn. Older kids who join a club will want one later. Search chess clocks when the time comes.
- A carry bag. Roll-up sets usually come with one. It keeps all 32 pieces together.
- Spare pawns. With 16 on the board, pawns are the easiest pieces to lose.
What to skip
- Glass sets. They break, and clear pieces are hard to tell apart.
- Tiny pieces for young kids. Hard to grab and easy to lose.
- Sets with no piece count. A full set has 32 pieces, 16 for each side.
Learn the moves free first
Kids can learn on screen before the set arrives. Our free chess against the computer lights up legal moves, so a beginner cannot make an illegal one. You can also print a free chess board with letters and numbers, and use coins or buttons for pieces. For younger kids, checkers is a gentle first board game.
Quick checklist
- Classic Staunton pieces for a first set.
- Weighted pieces so they do not tip.
- A board with letters a to h and numbers 1 to 8.
- Piece bases fit inside the squares.
- Check the age label; small parts are not for under 3.
- 32 pieces in the set.
- Roll-up set for clubs and travel; wood for a keepsake.
Questions
What chess set do school clubs use?
Many clubs use a roll-up vinyl board with plastic Staunton pieces. It is cheap, tough and easy to carry.
Why do letters and numbers on the board matter?
They are coordinates. They let a child follow a lesson or book that names squares, such as e4 or f3.
Is an electronic chess set needed to learn?
No. A plain board and pieces, plus free practice on screen, is enough to learn the game.