Best Chess Sets and Apps for Children
A parent-friendly guide to choosing the right physical chess set and digital tools for young players.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-14
Professor Archer says: A good chess set is an investment in your child's relationship with the game. I have watched children lose interest because the pieces kept falling over, and I have watched children fall in love because the set felt special in their hands. The right equipment matters more than people think.
Choosing a Physical Chess Set
For children under eight, look for a set with large, weighted pieces that are easy to grip and hard to knock over. Staunton-style pieces are the universal standard and what your child will encounter at any club or tournament.
A vinyl roll-up board with plastic pieces is the most practical option for beginners. These sets are affordable, durable, and travel well. As your child becomes more serious, you might upgrade to a wooden set, which feels more substantial and makes the game feel important.
Avoid novelty sets shaped like movie characters or historical figures. While they look fun, the non-standard piece shapes make it harder for children to learn pattern recognition and can cause confusion when they encounter a standard set at a club.
Chess Apps and Online Platforms for Kids
Several excellent platforms are designed specifically for young chess players. Chess.com Kids (chesskid.com) is one of the most popular, offering a child-safe environment with restricted chat, interactive lessons, and puzzles matched to your child's level. Lichess.org is completely free and open-source, with a clean interface and no ads. Both platforms allow children to play against other kids or against a computer set to an appropriate strength.
For younger children learning the basics, apps like Magnus Trainer (developed with World Champion Magnus Carlsen) use gamified lessons that teach piece movements and basic tactics through engaging mini-games. ChessKid specifically uses colorful interfaces, provides immediate feedback on moves, and includes achievement systems that keep kids motivated.
Parental controls are important. ChessKid is designed with children's safety as a priority, limiting chat to pre-approved phrases and preventing interaction with unknown adults. If using Lichess or Chess.com's standard platform for older children, review the privacy settings and enable parental controls. Safety should always come before features.
Books and Supplementary Materials
Chess books for children should be heavily illustrated with large diagrams and short, engaging text. Look for books that tell stories alongside teaching concepts — these hold a child's attention far better than dry instructional texts.
Puzzle books are excellent for car rides and quiet time. Choose books organized by difficulty so your child can work through them progressively. The satisfaction of solving a puzzle and turning the page to confirm the answer is deeply rewarding for young learners.
Avoid giving a child an advanced chess book meant for adults. The complexity will frustrate them and may create the impression that chess is too hard. Age-appropriate materials build confidence and sustain interest.
Questions About Chess Equipment for Kids
How much should I spend on a first chess set?
A quality beginner set with weighted pieces and a vinyl board costs between fifteen and thirty dollars. This is enough to get started. Upgrade only when your child shows sustained interest and starts playing in organized settings.
Are chess apps safe for young children?
Most reputable chess apps offer child-safe modes with restricted chat and privacy protections. Always review the privacy settings, enable parental controls, and supervise your child during their first few sessions to ensure the environment feels appropriate.
Should I buy a chess clock for my child?
A chess clock is not necessary for beginners but becomes useful once your child starts playing in clubs or tournaments. A basic digital chess clock is affordable and teaches time management, which is an important skill for competitive play.
Professor Archer says: Digital tools are wonderful supplements, but they should never fully replace the experience of sitting across from another person with a real board between you. The social dimension of chess is half its value for children.
Quick Quiz
What type of chess set is best for a beginning child player?
- A novelty set shaped like cartoon characters - Novelty sets may look appealing, but non-standard piece shapes hinder pattern recognition and cause confusion when the child encounters standard sets at clubs or tournaments.
- A Staunton-style set with weighted pieces and a vinyl board (Correct) - Correct. Staunton pieces are the universal standard, weighted pieces resist toppling, and vinyl boards are durable and affordable. This combination is practical, tournament-ready, and builds correct visual habits.
- An expensive wooden collector set - While beautiful, expensive sets can make parents and children anxious about damage. Start with something durable and affordable. Upgrade later if interest persists.
- A travel set with magnetic pieces - Travel sets are great as secondary sets for trips, but the small board size and tiny pieces are not ideal for learning. Children benefit from a full-size board for regular practice.