Chess.com's Holiday Gift Buying Guide
The Holiday Season is upon us, and we're all looking for the best way to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. If that special someone in your life likes to play chess, then we're about to make your job much easier! Here's a list of the best gifts to give that extra bit of joy to your friends and family.
We've also launched a brand new merchandise store just in time for the holiday season. Check it out!
- Chess.com Premium Membership
- New In 2023
- Special 2023 Holiday Coupon
- Chess Essentials
- Books
- Big Spender
- Chess Apparel
- Digital Gifts
- Fun Miscellaneous Chess Gifts
Chess.com Premium Membership
Let's start with a bang, shall we? It's no secret that chess players love to play and learn about chess. So what could be better than gifting a premium membership to the number one chess site in the world? With the best and smoothest playing experience, access to virtually infinite learning tools, and the richest and freshest chess content in the world, you can't go wrong gifting a Chess.com premium membership!
But what if your loved one already has a premium membership? Don't worry! We've got you covered. Here are some other ideas for your Holiday gifting bliss.
New In 2023
We've completely relaunched the merch store at chesscomshop.com. From shirts and hats to all your chess basics, the Chess.com Shop has all your chess wants and needs covered.
And don't forget, Chess.com and Chessable joined forces last year. Consider gifting some courses for your favorite chess improver!
Special 2023 Holiday Coupon
From now until December 31, you can get 30% off on any item from the new merch store—just use the code SEASON to enjoy your special Holiday discount!
Chess Essentials
There are some items that every chess player just needs to own. From chessboards to chess bags, here are some chess essentials that every player will enjoy having!
Basic Chess Set And Board
Price: $24.95
Every chess player loves the feeling of moving real chess pieces around a physical board. Some say that they even learn better when studying with physical pieces. That's why you can't go wrong with a basic chess set, board, and quiver—they're inexpensive yet effective!
Chess Clock
Price: $54.95
Owning a basic chess board and set is a great start, but a chess clock is a must-have if you want to play the game properly. The DGT North American Digital Chess Clock will take care of all chess players' clock needs, making it another great gift option!
Carrying Case
Price: $11.95
What if the person you're gifting already has a board, pieces, and a clock? Then, they'll probably need a good way to carry all that gear around. That's where the carrying case comes in handy!
Silicone Board
Price: $16.95
If you'd prefer something a little more sturdy than a basic vinyl chessboard, you may want to go with the silicone board. This option is perfect if the person you're gifting would like to carry their chessboard around. Unlike the vinyl board, the silicone version doesn't crease—making the play experience much better.
Scoresheets
Price: $6.95
If the person you're gifting likes playing in tournaments, they'll probably need scoresheets to record their games. Instead of letting them carry around hundreds of sheets of paper, why not give them a scoresheet notebook so they're always neatly organized?
Chess Books
Chess books are one of the best ways for chess players to improve. If you want to make a chess lover happy, gifting them a book is undoubtedly a fantastic idea! The books below are all in Chess.com's Top 10 Chess Books list, so there's no doubt they're all great presents.
How To Reassess Your Chess by IM Jeremy Silman
Price: $29.95
One of the best books on chess strategy out there, IM Jeremy Silman's How To Reassess Your Chess is a solid gift option. If you know an intermediate player who wants to take their chess to the next level, this book is just what they need!
LINK NO LONGER ACTIVE My 60 Memorable Games by GM Bobby Fischer LINK NO LONGER ACTIVE
Price: $22.95
My 60 Memorable Games is a classic book featuring 60 fabulous games played by GM Bobby Fischer, one of the best players in history. This book will teach the reader invaluable chess concepts and amaze them with beautiful and inspiring games!
My Great Predecessors by GM Garry Kasparov
Price: $29.95 (Part I)
My Great Predecessors is a book series by arguably the best player in history, GM Garry Kasparov. The former world champion analyzes the games of world champions that came before him. The whole series is packed with insights from the mind of a chess genius—and part of any serious chess player's library.
The Life And Games Of Mikhail Tal by GM Mikhail Tal
Price: $29.95
Possibly the most entertaining and interesting chess player who ever lived, GM Mikhail Tal is also among the best players in history. His autobiography The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal combines witty reminisces with countless powerfully-annotated games and is another classic that every chess player should read.
Gifts For The Big Spenders
If you're feeling generous this holiday season and want to spend big bucks to make others happy, this is the section for you. Below is a list of great chess gifts for big spenders looking to end the year with a bang!
Chess Table
Price: $795.00
Do you know a chess player who also wants to refurbish the house? What else could you give them but a chess table from the House of Staunton? With a built-in board and drawers to keep the pieces, this is a good option if you don't mind the pricetag.
The DGT Projects Electronic Chess Board
Price: $1,099.00
This electronic chessboard comes with a USB connection and an exquisite wood finish. With this chessboard, players can use their computer as an extension of their physical board. Analyzing, broadcasting, and saving their games are only a few options this board gives players.
Untitled Chess Set by Purling and Daniel Brusatin
Price: $13,000.00
Is it a chessboard? Is it art? One thing is for sure—it is expensive. If you're feeling adventurous with your money and know someone who loves chess and art, you won't find a better gift!
Pearl Royale Chess Set By Colin Burn
Price: $4,000,000.00
Ok, we realize the price on this one might be a little steep. You'd have to be extraordinarily generous and wildly wealthy to buy this as a gift for someone else. Even though it's unlikely someone will give this away, it's still worth it to spare a minute of your day to enjoy the beauty of this shiny chess set.
Chess Apparel
What about putting a fun chess twist to the traditional end-of-year sweater gift? If that sounds like a good plan, look no further than this section!
Chess.com's Classic Hoodie
Price: $59.95
As heartwarming as delivering a smothered mate, this Chess.com hoodie is perfect for anyone who loves playing chess.
NO LONGER AVAILABLE Pineapple Shirt Champion Hoodie NO LONGER AVAILABLE
POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT: https://streamlabs.com/gmhikaru/merch/4215002 (only 19 as of Nov 21)
Price: $40.00
A hoodie paying homage to Nakamura's famous pineapple shirt. You can't go wrong with a gift like this!
Chessbrah Signature Joggers Black
Price: $50.00
Chessbrah's slick signature joggers are another great option that will give your chess-loving close one looking sharp.
Oh No! My Queen! T-Shirt
Price: $22.95
IM Eric Rosen's "Oh no! My queen!" t-shirts are a great gift for chess players who hang their queens—either intentionally or not.
Digital Gifts
Doing your holiday shopping without ever leaving the comfort of your home? No, it's not a dream—for those who choose to give their loved ones a digital gift, this is what the holiday seasons feel like!
Premium ChessKid Membership
Are you looking to introduce a kid to a healthy and valuable pastime? Or maybe the kid you want to gift already loves chess, and you want to fuel their passion? With a safe environment, chess lessons tailored for kids, and a lot of fun content, a premium ChessKid membership will keep your loved ones engaged and excited about the royal game.
What's best, this gift comes with a bonus! ChessKid members can enjoy the Chess Adventure for Kids app. The app lets kids play in a fantasy chess world with customizable characters, numerous bosses, and educational quests! Check out ChessKid's gold membership here and the Chess Adventure for Kids app at the App Store or Google Play.
Dr. Wolf Membership
If the person you're gifting already plays chess but wants to improve, you can present them with their own virtual coach! Dr. Wolf is a virtual coach that gives personalized explanations on strategic and tactical concepts as players play games. This makes a premium Dr. Wolf membership the perfect gift for beginner and intermediate chess players! Available on iOS and Android.
Fun Miscellaneous Chess Gifts
Are you looking for fun chess gifts? We've got you covered! Below you can find miscellaneous fun gifts that will help you show your chess lover close one how much you care about them!
Mini Rubber Ducks
Price: $3
This may sound weird, but a tiny rubber duck might be the perfect gift for a chess player. No, that's not implying chess players enjoy children's toys (although some probably do). Rather, it's the best way for them to play the viral chess variant Duck Chess over the board.
Jurassic Park-Themed Chess Set
Price: $44.95
For boys and girls, they are cool, giant lizards. For parents, the warm nostalgia of one of the most successful movie franchises of the 1990s. This beautiful Jurassic Park-themed chess set is the perfect gift for bringing two generations together and making chess games even more fun!
Wobble Chess Set
Price: $350.00
If a chess set does sound like a good idea, but you'd like something with even more class, look no further than the Wobble Chess Set. The award-winning modern design of this chess set makes it the perfect gift for chess lovers or those who want a stylish centerpiece to liven up their house. Take a moment to marvel at the mesmerizing wobble of the pieces, and you'll have no doubt this is the supreme holiday gift everyone would love to receive!
Chess Dad And Chess Mom Mugs
Price: $14.95
Whether it's coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, chess dads and chess moms will certainly be happier after enjoying a warm beverage in one of these lovely chess mugs.
What is your favorite chess gift from the list above? Is there a chess gift that you hope to receive that isn't on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
