The best Christmas gifts for chess players help them enjoy the game more, whether they play over the board at a local club, battle friends online or are just getting started after watching chess videos.
Prices checked on Amazon UK, 12 October 2026.
The best Christmas gifts for chess players help them enjoy the game more, whether they play over the board at a local club, battle friends online or are just getting started after watching chess videos. Chess has enjoyed a huge revival in recent years, with millions of new players discovering the game through online platforms and streamers, and the Christmas holidays are the perfect time for a game by the fire. This guide covers gifts for every level: a handsome magnetic wooden set for the living room, a travel set for playing on the go, a chess clock for serious games, and books and puzzles to sharpen their tactics. Prices were checked on Amazon UK on 12 October 2026, and every product was in stock with no low-stock warning on the buy-box offer. Our overall pick is the A&A 15-inch Magnetic Wooden Chess Set at £28.31, with handmade pieces and two extra queens. For the smallest budget, The Times Chess Winning Moves puzzle book was £7.59. For the family, the Jaques of London Magnetic Travel Chess Set was £13.99, from a name with a long history in British games. You will also find How to Win at Chess by Levy Rozman, a T Tocas chess clock and Bruce Pandolfini's Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games. Prices change often, so check before you buy.
Our picks
A&A 15" Magnetic Wooden Chess Set with 2 Extra Queens
A&A 15" Magnetic Wooden Chess Set with 2 Extra Queens
£28.31
Best overall
The Times Chess Winning Moves
The Times Chess Winning Moves
£7.59
Best budget
Jaques of London Magnetic Travel Chess Set
Jaques of London Magnetic Travel Chess Set
£13.99
Best for families
How we pick
We shortlist products sold on Amazon UK using capacity, features, customer ratings and price band. We do not lab-test every model unless a page says so. The Amazon page is the live price. How we recommend.
Compare at a glance
| Product | Last Amazon price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
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£28.31
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£7.59
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£13.99
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£17.99
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£18.99
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£21.57
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The products
Buying advice
Our top picks
Best overall: A&A 15" Magnetic Wooden Chess Set (£28.31). A wooden magnetic set with handmade pieces, a 3-inch king and two extra queens. It is portable and looks good enough to leave out on the coffee table over Christmas.
Best budget: The Times Chess Winning Moves by Byron Jacobs (£7.59). 540 chess puzzles from tournament play, a great stocking filler for sharpening tactics during the holidays.
Best for families: Jaques of London Magnetic Travel Chess Set (£13.99). A folding magnetic board with storage for the pieces, so the family can play in the car, on the train or anywhere else without losing pieces.
Other Christmas gifts for chess players
How to Win at Chess by Levy Rozman (£17.99). The ultimate guide for beginners and beyond from the popular GothamChess creator, ideal for new and improving players.
T Tocas Professional Chess Clock (£18.99). A multi-function clock with count-down, alarm, bonus and delay settings, for timed games at home or the club.
Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games by Bruce Pandolfini (£21.57). A huge collection of problems for players who want a challenge that will last well beyond Christmas.
What to look for in a Christmas gift for a chess player
Match their level. Beginners will enjoy an accessible guide like How to Win at Chess, while experienced players will prefer large puzzle collections.
Think about where they play. A full-size wooden set suits the home, while a magnetic travel set is perfect for playing on the go.
Consider a clock. Club players and anyone who enjoys fast games online will appreciate a chess clock for timed games over the board.
Look for magnetic pieces. Magnetic sets keep pieces in place, which is handy with children around or when playing while travelling.
Encourage family play. Chess is easy to learn and suits all ages, so a set is a gift the whole family can enjoy over the holidays.
Keep them practising. Puzzle books are a great way to improve tactics, a few minutes at a time.
Check the board size. Larger boards are easier to play on, while compact folding boards save space and travel well.
Bundle a set. The Times Chess Winning Moves, the Jaques travel set and How to Win at Chess together came to £39.57 at the prices checked.
Prices were checked on Amazon UK on 12 October 2026 and can change at any time. Check the current price and delivery date on Amazon before you order, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gifts for chess players?
Good gifts for chess players include magnetic wooden chess sets, travel chess sets, chess clocks, beginner guides and chess puzzle books. Picks in this guide ranged from £7.59 to £28.31 on Amazon UK when checked on 12 October 2026.
Is a chess set a good gift?
A chess set can be a great gift for players of all ages. Magnetic sets suit families and travel, while larger wooden sets look good on display at home.
How to use a chess clock?
Set the time for each player, start the opponent's clock when play begins, and press your own button after each move to stop your clock and start your opponent's. The player who runs out of time first usually loses.
How to set up a chess board?
Place the board so each player has a light square in the bottom-right corner. Put the rooks in the corners, then the knights, bishops and the queen on her own colour with the king beside her, and a row of pawns in front.
