The game of chess has been played and loved since its known origins circa sixth-century India, and it remains to this day as a metaphor for dynamic strategy and intellectual prowess. What can make the challenge even more special is plotting your next move with chess pieces moulded according to your taste, whether through material, shape or size.
Bespoke chess sets have become a sought-after luxury item for chess enthusiasts and collectors alike. These unique, custom-designed offerings offer a level of personalisation that goes beyond mass-produced, generic sets. Different motivations drive the demand for bespoke chess pieces. For some, it’s the desire to express their love of craftsmanship or individualism. For others, it’s the opportunity to create a family heirloom or special gift.
Whatever the reason, bespoke chess sets have become a status symbol and there are specialised companies out there ready to make your personal chess ambitions a reality.
Neochess
Founded by London-based architectural designers Ian Flood and Chris Prosser, Neochess offers an exclusive bespoke service allowing clients to customise every aspect of their chess set so that it reflects their personality. From the material, which embraces options like wood, steel and bronze, to the design, the bespoke possibilities are endless. Alternatively, keen players can adapt the company’s classic Staunton set according to their preferred colour and feel to own personalised pieces that glide stylishly across the board.
Neochess believes that chess is more than just a game – it’s an art form. Which is why it is committed to creating chess sets that are not only functional and practical but also beautiful and inspiring. neochess.com
Skyline Chess
Skyline Chess is Flood and Prosser’s original venture, which saw the light in 2013 following a discussion about architectural masterpieces over a game of chess. Using their design acumen, the pair created chess sets featuring iconic city skylines and buildings. They began with London; Paris, New York, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore and others followed. Crafted in stainless steel or bronze with the option of a marble or wooden board, the sets make perfect gifts or keepsakes of a memorable stay in a world city. They offer a way to capture a city close to your heart and keep it with you at all times. The board and packaging can be customised with company logos and messages.
Replete with intricate pieces, these collections will have the city’s tallest buildings as King and Queen, while Knights and Bishops are usually historical landmarks of the respective location. Special editions pitch one place against another for a two-city chess challenge. skylinechess.com
Geoffrey Parker
Having crafted luxury leather board games by hand in Essex, England, since 1958, Geoffrey Parker is recognised for making the finest chess sets in the world. The family legacy is steeped in chess history; their master craftsmen made the leather boxes and chessboards for the iconic 1972 World Championship match between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, Iceland. This momentous event cemented the company’s reputation for unwavering quality, innovative design and unparalleled craftsmanship.
Combining tradition with innovation, their exceptional customised chess set begins with a leather box of sumptuous hide selected from a wide range of colours. The high-quality, hand-carved chess pieces come in a choice of sizes and styles. These beautiful sets provide the most pleasurable of games or a standalone interior-design feature ¬– they can become an ornament in any space.
Geoffrey Parker brings a touch of fun and nostalgia to chess sets for children, utilising its printing machine to recreate a series of themed watercolor illustrations onto the leather and featuring pieces of hand-painted crushed stone and resin. Themes include J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. vv.com
Chess Clubhouse HK
Founded by James Ho, this Hong Kong-based venture combines a chess club that encourages the game to flourish in the city with an online shop. It offers a range of bespoke chess sets combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design. The Chess Clubhouse HK collection caters to diverse tastes and preferences, from handcrafted wooden pieces to digital electronic chess sets. Top-of-the-range boards come with additional features and pair handmade artistry with artificial intelligence. chess-clubhouse.com
Whether you are a chess enthusiast, a collector or someone who appreciates the beauty of bespoke craftsmanship, the unique chess sets of these four names are sure to impress. Each is a work of art, meticulously crafted to offer an unparalleled playing experience. Indeed, chessboards are more than just a game for these artisans; they are a statement of sophistication and a showcase of bespoke artistry where creativity knows no bounds.
Customised chess sets are designed to be cherished for generations, offering a timeless appeal that transcends trends. So why settle for an ordinary chess set when you can own a masterpiece tailored to your individuality?
Step into any of these meticulously curated shops and you’ll be transported to a realm where every detail matters. The air is thick with the scent of polished wood and the faint sound of pieces clicking against ornate boards. This is where the true aficionados of the game congregate, seeking out the perfect set to complement their playing style and personal aesthetic. Truly, you can’t help but feel a sense of connection to the city’s vibrant past and the endless possibilities that the future holds. For in Hong Kong, the art of chess piece is not just a game – it is a testament to the city’s unwavering passion for craftsmanship, tradition and the timeless allure of the world’s most captivating strategy game.