The Six Coolest Chess Gifts for Father’s Day
June is here, and that means it’s time for Dad to have his day! Choosing a Father’s Day gift can be tricky. Dads famously say they don’t need anything, or they just go out and buy what they want themselves. Our list of the coolest chess-related gifts for dads will give you some great ideas for things the father figure in your life wants. Bonus—he’ll appreciate these chess gifts all year!
#1: Travel Chess Sets
Father’s Day falls at the beginning of the summer travel season. Whether your dad is heading out on the trip of a lifetime or to the family reunion, there’s a chess set he can pack for the trip.
- For limited space, the Checkbook Magnetic Travel Set (11.25” board) is compact and very reasonably priced. Round magnets with printed icons are secure during play. Fold and stow the board with a game in progress without worry. It even includes two extra queens!
- Another option for limited space is the Peg Wooden Travel Set. The pegged pieces fit securely into holes on the board to preserve a game in progress. This set is small, 7” X 5”, so keep that in mind if your dad might find it too fiddly to play on.
- Folding travel sets will allow Dad to take his chess with him in a slightly larger format. The boards hinge open in the middle, with space inside to store the pieces. These boards are great for road trips and destinations where he can play a leisurely game. The Drake Magnetic Travel Chess Set in Ebony and Boxwood has a luxury feel in a small 13” X 6.5” package.
- European sets have a folding chess board of around 13” square with room to store the pieces inside. They are not magnetic, so while they are handy to pack, they wouldn’t be the best choice during a plane flight. They are beautiful, though! The King’s Medium Chess Set is a fine example of style and function in a small, portable package. Discerning design-conscious dads will be delighted.
#2: Chess Software
Is your dad more of an online and computer chess aficionado? Chess software is just the ticket! For the more experienced chess player who loves to improve by analyzing games and looking at the statistical projections of different moves, ChessBase ’26 Starter Package is a complete solution. Dad can play, practice, and analyze in ChessBase to see what’s working, what’s not, and how to win more often. ChessBase is a wish list item for many intermediate to advanced players and will provide many hours of productive study and improvement.
Photo by Kampus Production for Pexels
If ChessBase sounds like more horsepower than your dad wants, take a look at the newest release of the Fritz learning engine, Fritz 21. Fritz is an incredibly powerful engine with a 3,620 ELO rating and all the challenge Dad can handle. It’s also full of fun, as players can take on the legends of chess in simulation. Play against animations of Fischer, Karpov, Morphy, and others with customized difficulty controls. Fritz is a top-notch chess trainer, but it’s also incredibly engaging and fun. Gift Dad a download and he’ll be playing against Capablanca before the burgers are off the grill.
A couple of notes: ChessBase and Fritz do work together, but they are fine stand-alone as well. These are downloadable items, so you’ll get an email with a code to gift rather than a physical disk, and there are no returns for downloadable products. Be nosy and make sure your dad doesn’t already have them first.
#3: Giant Chess Sets
If you have fond memories of playing horseshoes or cornhole at family picnics while the men grilled, think about the fun Dad will have with a chess set on the lawn! Giant chess sets are made with durable weather-resistant plastic and can be used indoors or outside. The 25” Giant Chess Set includes 32 large pieces you can weight with water or sand and a 9” X 9” heavy duty nylon board. With a king height a little over two feet, chess kids and chess grandkids love playing with the giant pieces. For a more portable option for camping or parks, consider the 16” and 12” sets. There’s nothing better than a Father’s Day gift to enjoy together.
#4: Chess Apparel
A funny (punny?) t-shirt or socks is a pretty standard Dad gift. Dad may not wear those novelty t-shirts much, though. Your dad will wear his chess shirt frequently to show off his favorite hobby, no joke! If your dad is a t-shirt guy, our Chess Dad Silhouette T-shirt features a cool “Chess Dad” graphic featuring a king. It’s available in seven colors and sizes up to XXXL for the perfect personal gift.
Photo: House of Staunton
T-shirts aren’t part of your dad’s regular wardrobe? For the more formal dads among us, our assortment of chess ties is anything but square. For a more subtle Jacquard-style print, try the Paisley Chess Tie in Blue, Green, Gray, or Turquoise. The Paisley tie will work in any setting. If your tie gifting tradition is more on the whimsical side, the Blue Jumble Chess Tie proclaims his hobby proudly. This print of cascading chess pieces and boards would be great for a tournament or chess club meeting.
If your dad is a sock guy, we have that covered! The Dark Blue Camo with Black Chess Socks have chess pieces worked into a camouflage print. These would work for any occasion, even as dress socks. For a bolder statement in footwear, check out the Blue & Burgundy Chess Socks. Featuring a large king’s crown on a turquoise background covered in queen’s crowns, these socks will make the outfit.
#5: Luxury Chess Sets
If this is the year for the coolest chess gift EVER, consider a luxury chess set. These finely crafted sets are showpieces your dad will want to keep on display all year. House of Staunton luxury sets are masterpiece items meant to be enjoyed for their artistry and played often.
Photo: House of Staunton (The Sultan Series is pictured)
The Sultan Series Luxury Chess Set, Box, & Board Combination is a fantastic example of the fine sets we offer. Available in either ebony or blood rosewood and natural boxwood, this set has everything an heirloom set should. The intricately carved wooden pieces are heavily weighted with English leather base pads for smooth, damage-free play. This combination includes a walnut burl/maple chessboard with delicate inlaid filigree in the borders. The fitted coffer box has individual compartments for each chess piece (34 in total, with two extra queens included!). Your dad will be able to keep his pieces pristine when not in use. Optional personalization can make this a unique and cherished gift.
A luxury chess set is a truly wonderful gift that will last a lifetime. Be sure to browse our entire catalog of high-end chess sets to select the exact right one.
#6: Chess Books
If your dad already has all the chess equipment he needs, gift a chess book! There are some great new and classic titles, sure to be interesting to a chess guy.
- A lot of chess players are also history buffs, and "The Chess Battles of Hastings” by Norbert Wallet and Jürgen Brustkern is the perfect melding of the two. Spanning 125 years of the annual chess tournament at Hastings, it’s full of interesting games, trivia, and anecdotes about 40 famous players.
- Puzzle books are popular with chess players of all levels. “1001 Deadly Chess Puzzles” by James Rizzitano is a course on tactics cleverly packaged as a series of puzzles. The first four chapters are a more basic course on tactics, with puzzles to test and review. The rest of the book not only challenges the learner to solve the puzzles, but it also helps them understand the strategic decision-making of chess. One book for many hours of chess instruction is a great deal!
- Switching gears, maybe you’d like to be able to give your father a run for his money across the board? "How to Beat Your Dad at Chess” by Murray Chandler is a resource for any player hoping to improve. It even addresses what to do if your dad is GM Garry Kasparov! Since Father’s Day is about spending time with dad, improving your own chess skills might be a great way to go.
Don’t Wait for the Last Minute…But If You Did
Any of these gifts would be a hit with chess fans, but maybe you don’t know exactly what your dad wants? A House of Staunton Gift Card is a thoughtful (and fast!) gift that gives him the flexibility to get the item he’s had his eye on. No matter what you select, your chess guy will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Have a great day with the father figure in your life, and while you’re at it—break out the chess board! There’s no doubt that the coolest chess gift is time spent over the board together.