We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
If you’re like me, you watched about 2 episodes of Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit and immediately decided you wanted to become a chess grandmaster yourself. Something about a sexy period drama wrapped in an underdog story really spoke to people—whether the subject was about chess or synchronized swimming—it was going to start a crazy. And it’s not uncommon for a great series to spark a trend in new hobbies, interests and consumerism either. Lest we forget the spike in Dalmatian dog adoptions after the release of 101 Dalmatians, or the rise in leg-warmer fashion after Flashdance.
And we have data to support it! The Queen’s Gambit undoubtedly spurred a rise in popularity for the sport. Taking a look at Google Trends from the point the Queen’s gambit premiered vs the previous period shows a very noticeable spike in search activity:
Google Trends - searches for "chessboards"
Now, if you want to become a chess grandmaster, the first place to start is with a nice chessboard! Once you have a nice board, there’s no stopping you on your way to the top.
Whether you have wildly unrealistic aspirations like me or maybe you have a loved one who has also taken a casual interest in chess lately, then look no further! Chess sets make great gifts after all—they’re relatively inexpensive, they encourage competition, and they make you seem more intellectual sitting on your living room coffee table. It’s the perfect gift!
Novelty Chessboards and Sets to Buy
Let’s get into the boards, shall we? I’ve broken up the list by themes, so you can better narrow down the type of chess set you’re looking for. Let’s start with the more traditional styles:
Traditional, Yet Unique Chess Sets
Movie-Themed Chess Sets
Random-Themed Chess Sets
Fancy Pants Chess Sets
That’s all for now. Check back soon and we’ll have even more to check out. Also, don’t forget to check out our other Novelty Toys & Games right here.