Chess is one of the most accessible games in the world. People from all walks of life and anyone of all ages can play and enjoy it. The game doesn’t know genders, races, or ancestries. As long as you want to play, you can play.
But here’s the thing: If you want to enjoy your game, you’ll need the right equipment. You may be familiar with the checkered pattern of a chessboard, but chances are, you’re not well-versed in the other tools.
In this article, let’s go over the different chess equipment. We’ll discuss what they are, what they do, and more.
Chess Board
A chess board is a square board with a checkered pattern. It consists of 64 squares in alternating colors—usually black and white, but some boards have distinctive colors replacing black.
The board’s core purpose? Allow you to play chess!
Typically, it’s made of wood or plastic. It’s also often foldable for easy storage and transportation.
Chess Set
A chess set is a collection of chess pieces.
When playing chess, you arrange the pieces on a chess board in the first two rows.
Typically, a set consists of 32 chess pieces. The pieces are:
- King
- Queen
- Rooks
- Knights
- Bishops
- Pawns
A chess piece is a fundamental part of the game. With a missing chess piece, a game can’t proceed.
Chess pieces come in two sets:
- 16 white pieces
- 16 black pieces
Below is a table that details the movement of every chess piece.
| Name of chess piece | Description | Movement |
| King | The most essential chess piece; must be protected at all costs | Moves one square in any direction |
| Queen | The most powerful chess piece, capable of dominating the game | Moves vertically, horizontally, and diagonally in any direction and uses up any number of squares; can replicate the movements of other chess pieces except the knight |
| Rook | The chess piece that controls files and ranks; can attack or defend other pieces in long distances | Moves vertically or horizontally in any number of squares |
| Knight | The only chess piece that can jump over other pieces. | Moves two squares in a straight direction and one square perpendicular to the other direction, kind of like how an L looks. |
| Bishop | The chess piece that controls long diagonals; can attack or defend other pieces in long distances | Moves diagonally on any number of squares |
| Pawn | The chess piece that often serves a sacrificial purpose; a set of pawns acts as the first line of defense | Moves forward one square (or two squares during its first move); can capture other chess pieces diagonally |
Chess Table
A chess table is a piece of furniture designed for playing chess. It features a square or rectangular tabletop with a chessboard pattern (inlaid or printed onto the surface).
Usually, it’s made of wood, marble, or glass. And often, it’s framed with a border of contrasting material.
Some chess tables have built-in drawers or compartments to help you organize and securely store chess pieces if not in use.
On top of that, there are some chess tables made for outdoor or indoor use exclusively. Indoor tables are often made of wood and can fit into different interior styles. Meanwhile, outdoor tables are made for chess parks where people bond over their love for the game.
You may have seen one of these if you ever visited the Chess & Checkers House in Central Park.
Chess Clock
A chess clock is a device that times each player’s moves during a game. It consists of two independent clocks placed side by side. It’s vital in competitive chess games, where players only have a limited time to make a move.
Their purpose? Regulate a game and ensure it progresses at a steady pace.
Analog Chess Clock
Analog chess clocks are also known as mechanical chess clocks. They’re popular among players who prefer a traditional setting.
What are the advantages of analog chess clocks?
- No batteries required – These clocks are powered by mechanical movements. In situations where a power source is unavailable, such as a power outage, they’re helpful.
- Auditory feedback – The ticking sound can be a valuable source of auditory feedback. When time is running out, the ticking becomes louder and more frantic—and as a result, adds elements of tension and excitement to the game.
- Ease of use and simplicity – These clocks don’t have buttons to press or settings to adjust. To start or stop them, you simply press a lever.
Digital Chess Clock
Digital chess clocks are frequently used in modern games. They come with features that can power up your game and make it easier to calculate the time.
What are the advantages of digital chess clocks?
- Timing features – They offer many timing options (like delays, increments, and bonus times). And you can customize each option to fit the needs of different types of games.
- Accuracy – They can be more accurate (compared to analog chess clocks) because they measure time down to the exact second. In timed games where every second counts, their role is unbeatable.
- Memory storage – They have a memory feature that allows players to recall different time control settings. They’re a huge time-saver in tournament plays with multiple games and different time limits.
Chess Bag
A chess bag is where you store chess equipment (and other relevant items). What makes it stand out from the average bag is it’s designed specifically for chess players.
Similar bags often have separate compartments for specific pieces of chess equipment.
They come in different sizes and styles. Plus, they’re made of different materials (like canvas, leather, and nylon).
Final Thoughts
Learning about the different chess equipment is essential if you want to pursue a professional path in the game. You have to be well-versed in all the pieces and their specific roles to be able to make it big.
With the right equipment and knowledge, you can be on your A game, which means you can perform significantly better.
