The Best Chess Sets Start a Design Conversation With Every Game

"The best chess sets are more than functional; designers, architects, and luxury brands have all put their own spin on the form with new interpretations. Some hardly look like chess sets at all these days; the game's 32 pieces have been rendered in a variety of shapes and materials, from luxe marble to sturdy wood, by everyone from furniture designer Isamu Noguchi to surrealist Man Ray, who was known to face off against fellow artist and chess enthusiast Marcel Duchamp."

"Surrealist artist Man Ray used abstract forms for the chess pieces in the set he designed, inspired by found items in his studio. The pyramid-shaped king piece is a nod to the pyramids where Egyptian pharaohs were buried, and the knight was modeled after the neck of a violin. First made in 1920, this set showcases the transition from the swirling shapes of Art Nouveau to the more geometric patterns found in Art Deco."

"Beautifully lacquered with a geometric pattern inspired by the wisdom of Athena, Piecework's chess set is a great introductory one. It comes with a storage box, but we'd rather keep this colorful set on display. The pieces have minimal yet distinct forms, so there will be no mistaking your knight for a bishop as you're learning the game."

Chess appearance has evolved despite stable rules, with designers, architects, and luxury brands reimagining chess sets as artistic objects. The game's 32 pieces have been rendered in diverse shapes and materials, from marble to wood, by creators including Isamu Noguchi and Man Ray. Man Ray's 1920 set used abstract forms inspired by found studio objects, featuring a pyramid-shaped king and a knight modeled on a violin neck, marking a shift toward Art Deco geometry. Piecework's Printworks Athena set features a lacquered geometric pattern, a storage box, and minimal but distinct pieces that aid new players. A stainless-steel Nelson set employs brushed and black matte finishes to separate sides.

Read at Architectural Digest