When it comes to chess, there are many ways to play depending on an individual’s style and experience. Whether it’s a casual, laid-back game or an intense lightning-fast tournament, you’re going to want a chess set that’s suitable for your play style in order to get the most out of your game.
Speed Chess
A game of speed chess typically involves moving the pieces around the board as quickly as possible, with absolutely minimal time to think moves through. The key aspects of speed chess encompass:
- Games are over quicker.
- Players are more likely to make mistakes.
- Chess clocks are commonly utilised.
Qualities to look out for in a chess set for this playstyle:
- Low-profile pieces: Avoid tall or top-heavy pieces that are easy to knock over.
- Smooth surfaces: A satin or matte finish chessboard helps prevent glare and supports pieces smoothly gliding over the surface.
- Weighted chessmen: Light to medium weighting provides stability without slowing you down.
- Plastic or ebonised sets: These are affordable, hard-wearing, and great for tournament speed play.
- Contrasting pieces: Helps to identify the side a piece is on at a glance, reducing misreads.
It’s worth keeping in mind that fast-paced games are more likely to result in drops, knocks, and rushed placements, so it’s important to choose a set that will hold up to this use.
Classical Chess
A standard game of chess may also use a chess clock to prevent games from lasting too long, but the difference here is that players still have time to plan and envision potential attacks and counterattacks in advance. Components of standard chess include:
- Time to predict the outcome of moves.
- Longer games, but without the stress of urgency.
- Themed chessmen can be used instead.
Qualities to look out for in a chess set for this playstyle:
- Heavily weighted pieces: The satisfying stability of well-balanced wood or metal chessmen adds to the experience.
- Premium materials: Ebony, rosewood, and boxwood sets elevate the experience.
- Generous square size: Helps with readability and adds a sense of space.
- Ornate or themed sets: Great as ornamental pieces where visual and physical appeal matter more.
- Felted bases: Prevents damage to the chessboard and reduces noise.
