Guides
Best Gifts for Chess Lovers: 7 Handcrafted Picks
Finding a gift that genuinely delights a chess player is harder than it looks. Most sets are either serious enough to play on or beautiful enough to display, rarely both. Here are seven handcrafted pieces that manage both.
1. Pilardi — Handcrafted Persian Sets, Curated in Paris
Pilardi makes one-of-one chess and backgammon boards, handcrafted in Isfahan and curated in Paris. Every board is walnut, and the khatam sets are decorated in khatam-kari marquetry: fine rods of wood, bone and brass bundled, sliced and hand-assembled into geometric patterns, thousands of elements across a single board. The whole surface is then sealed under a clear protective resin.
Each board is reversible, with a chess surface on one side and a backgammon layout on the other, and arrives with chess pieces, backgammon checkers and a protective hard case.
One thing to plan for: because every board is unique and made by hand, it is worth ordering early for a birthday or the holidays.
Browse the full range on the luxury chess and backgammon boards collection page.
2. Compact Khatam & Tazhib Chess & Backgammon Set, 34 cm
This compact set combines two Persian crafts on one walnut board: khatam-kari marquetry and hand-painted tazhib ornament, with mother-of-pearl detail. At 34 cm it sits on a side table or console without dominating it.
It suits someone who wants a piece that reads as an object between games rather than equipment stored in a cupboard.
The trade-off is size. A 9 cm playing square is comfortable for a casual game, less so for a long serious one.
3. Hand-Painted Polo Chess & Backgammon Set
The Polo set is painted with an animated polo scene in the classical Persian miniature style, riders on horseback chasing the ball across a pale ground, in fine brushwork around a walnut board with a hand-shaped scalloped edge.
Collectors tend to like the narrative: the board tells a story while the game goes on top of it. It also holds its own as a centrepiece when it is not being played.
Every figure is painted individually, so no two boards carry quite the same scene. That is the appeal, but it does mean the piece you receive will differ slightly from the photographs.
A handcrafted keepsake box makes a natural companion gift for storing pieces.
4. Khatam Chess & Backgammon Set, Black Edition
The Black Edition is a walnut board in a three-tone khatam composition of black, red and gold. The chess side is graphic and restrained; turn it over and the backgammon side opens into a deeper, warmer arrangement.
It is a good choice for someone who plays seriously but keeps a spare, uncluttered interior.
Worth knowing: the darker surface shows dust and fingerprints more readily than the lighter editions, so a soft cloth nearby is sensible.
5. Khatam Chess & Backgammon Set, Golden Edition
The Golden Edition runs warm golden tones through the khatam inlay across a walnut structure, giving an almost architectural repeating pattern that catches the light without shouting.
It works particularly well in a study or home office, where it reads as a decorative object between games rather than as equipment.
It sits at the higher end of the range, so it is better suited to a milestone gift than a casual one.
6. Khatam Chess & Backgammon Set, Turquoise Edition
Turquoise runs through the Turquoise Edition like veining, echoing the glazed tilework of Isfahan. It is the most colourful board in the range and the one people notice first.
A strong pick for a younger collector, or for anyone whose home already has colour in it.
That boldness cuts both ways. In a very neutral, muted interior it will not disappear, so think about the room before choosing it.
7. Tazhib Chess & Backgammon Set, Indigo
The Indigo set is hand-painted rather than inlaid, with deep indigo and turquoise tazhib ornament and finely painted medallions, framed by a hand-shaped scalloped walnut edge that is unusual on a game board.
Tazhib is the Persian art of illumination, the gold-and-pigment ornamentation historically used to decorate manuscript pages. Here it is applied by hand to wood, medallion by medallion, then sealed under clear resin.
One note: indigo reads much darker in low light. It rewards a room with decent daylight.
FAQ
What makes a handcrafted chess set a better gift than a mass-produced one?
A handcrafted set carries workmanship and a story that a factory board cannot. With khatam-kari in particular, the pattern is assembled by hand from thousands of individual rods of wood, bone and brass, which is why no two boards are identical.
Are these sets suitable for tournament play?
They are made for refined home play and for display rather than tournament use. Exact board and piece dimensions are listed on each product page.
How should I care for a khatam-kari board?
Wipe it with a soft dry cloth, avoid solvents and household cleaners, and keep it out of direct sunlight. The resin finish does the protecting; it does not need polish or oil.
Can the sets be personalised?
Each piece is already one-of-one, so no two boards are alike. For anything specific, contact Pilardi directly through the site before ordering.
Do the chess pieces follow standard Staunton dimensions?
Piece styles are part of each set's design and vary by edition. Exact dimensions and shapes are shown on each product page.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide from Paris, packed to protect the inlay and the painted surfaces in transit.
Conclusion
For a gift that will be played on and looked at, start with the walnut khatam boards and pick the edition that matches the room it will live in: Black for restraint, Golden for presence, Turquoise for colour, Indigo for hand-painted detail. Each one is the only one of its kind.
