Hand-carved chess pieces are chess pieces that have been crafted by hand using traditional carving techniques, rather than being mass-produced using modern manufacturing methods. They are often made from wood, stone, or other materials, and are characterized by their intricate details and unique designs. Hand-carved chess pieces are highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts for their beauty, craftsmanship, and historical significance.

When it comes to choosing chess pieces, there are a few key factors to consider:

1. Material: Chess pieces are typically made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, and stone. Wood is a classic and traditional choice, and it can be a good option if you are looking for a classic look and feel. Plastic chess pieces are generally more affordable and are a good choice if you are looking for something lightweight and easy to handle. Metal chess pieces can be more expensive, but they are often very high quality and can make a nice decorative addition to your home. Stone chess pieces are also high quality, but they are often quite heavy and may not be suitable for everyone

2. Style: There are many different styles of chess pieces to choose from, ranging from traditional Staunton-style pieces to more modern, abstract designs. Consider the look and feel you want for your chess set, and choose pieces that match your personal style and preferences.

3. Size: Chess pieces come in a range of sizes, and the size you choose will depend on your needs and preferences. If you plan to travel with your chess set, you may want to choose a smaller size that is easier to pack. If you have large hands or prefer a more substantial feel, you may want to choose larger pieces.

4. Price: Chess pieces can range in price from very affordable to quite expensive. Consider your budget when choosing chess pieces, and keep in mind that you may be able to find good quality pieces at a range of price points.

Overall, the best chess pieces to buy will depend on your personal preferences and needs. It may be helpful to read reviews and compare different options before deciding.

At Official Staunton UK, we have a wide range of chess pieces for sale. We have a variety of styles and materials, from the Isle Of Lewis to Staunton chess pieces, and plastic to wooden chess pieces. If you aren’t sure which style of pieces will suit your board, speak to our expert team for some advice.   

What Are The Pieces In Chess Called?

The chess pieces that make up traditional chess set come in six types. These chess pieces are called:

King

Queen

Bishop

Knight

Rook 

Pawn

How Many Chess Pieces Are There?

A complete chess set contains 32 chess pieces, which is 16 pieces per player, made up of:

1 King per player

1 Queen per player 

2 Bishops per player

2 Knights per player

2 Rooks (or Castles) per player

8 Pawns per player

Some full sets of chess pieces actually contain 34 pieces as they are supplied with two extra Queens.

Different Styles Of Chess Pieces

Chess pieces come in different styles and materials, from the traditional to the contemporary. 

While they are usually made of wood – including cherry, oak, mahogany, ebony, and pine – there are many other materials available. 

The most popular styles and types of chess pieces are:

Wooden Chess Pieces

Wood chess pieces are highly recommended for both their beauty and durability of the pieces. Some chess enthusiasts claim that wood has a natural feel to it when playing chess compared to plastic chess pieces. 

Wooden chess pieces are usually more luxurious, with intricate details in pieces hand-carved by craftsmen. This usually means that wooden chess pieces are more expensive, but they are of higher quality.

At Official Staunton, our range includes a variety of wooden chess pieces, including antique mahogany, ebony, rosewood, and more. 

Metal Chess Pieces

Metal Chess pieces are often made of brass and can be glossy, which complements various wooden boards be it glossy or matte and are available as well. They are extremely durable and hard-wearing, meaning they will last a lifetime. However, metal chess pieces can be slightly more expensive than other materials like wood and plastic. 

Resin or Plastic Chess Pieces

Resin chess pieces often cost only a fraction of what a wood chess piece costs. However, resin chess pieces are made of a higher quality than other types of plastic chess pieces, meaning resin is more expensive to buy than plastic pieces. Plastic chess pieces don’t tend to be as hard-wearing as wooden and metal either. 

Weighted Chess Pieces

Weighted chess pieces are weighted with metal to improve their feel while playing. A slug or plug of iron is inserted into each piece during the manufacturing process. The weight of the slug installed determines whether the chess pieces are single, double, triple, or quadruple-weighted. What weight you choose comes down to personal preference. 

You can buy weighted chess pieces from our range at Official Staunton. Speak to our experts to find more information on our weighted pieces. 

Staunton Chess Pieces

The most popular chess piece style is the classic Staunton. Staunton Chess Pieces are widely recognised for their design which has been in existence since 1849. It is the only style of the chess piece that is approved for official chess tournaments across the world.

The design of the Staunton chess pieces promotes the king as the highest piece on the table (due to its importance, probably) with heights varying from 3.5” to 4.5”. The King is carved with a crown and a cross sign on top of it, the Queen is smaller, wearing a coronet and a small ball on the top, while the Knight has the shape of a horse head. The Rook looks like a tower with crenellated battlements, the Bishops are determined by a mitre, while the Pawns have only a ball on the top. Each one of the pieces has its base covered in felt (or even leather in most recent, luxury sets).

Our range of Staunton pattern chess pieces is by far the most popular and handcrafted by the world's most talented artisans. You will find a variety of Staunton chess pieces in different materials in our range, including rosewood and ebony. 

The second most popular style is the Isle Of Lewis chess pieces. At Official Staunton, we have a range of Isle Of Lewis chess sets in multiple sizes.