Chess is a competitive and strategy based board game played between two players with a history that can be traced back about 1500 years ago. Chess started to become major in the 19th century, which was the time the first World Chess Champion took place in. The very first champion was Wilhelm Stenitz back in 1886. Today, this title belongs to Magnus Carlsen, a Norwegian grand chess master who has been the current World Chess Champion since 2013. Chess is also becoming a popular option for pastime since the pandemic last year and with the collaborations of big streamers such as the Botez sisters, Alexandra and Andrea Botez, who both already have national championships under their belt, and with the adaption of The Queen’s Gambit novel into a Netflix series which had many positive responses, especially along the chess community, the popularity of chess will continue to rise. With all that being said, here are some items that a chess enthusiast might like:
1. Chess Themed Jewellery
With chess’s popularity on the rise, finding chess themed jewellery is a piece of cake. Not only are they fashionable and comes in various different forms such as a necklace, a ring, and even bracelet charms, it is also a form of self expression. Jewellery is more than just accessory.
2. Chess Themed Mug
You know how there’s a “World’s Best Mum” or “World’s Best Dad” mug? There are also mugs with a chess theme. Not only is it a wonderful gift but it is also functional. Now the chess enthusiast can have a drink while watching The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix or even when they’re playing chess.
3. Chess Clock
What better way for a chess enthusiast to keep track of time than a chess clock? It doesn’t just have to be wall clock; you can even get them a small alarm clock to put by their bedside table. Great for when they just want to find out what time it is, and even better for getting them to wake up on time the following day.
4. The Queen’s Gambit Novel
As mentioned in the introduction above, the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit” is actually an adaption of The Queen’s Gambit novel written by Walter Tevis. Fair warning that this should be gifted to older chess enthusiasts because although the novel is about a chess prodigy, the theme of the story itself is on a considerably darker side, with drugs and alcohol addiction involved. Therefore, this mind-simulating novel may be too heavy for younger audiences.
5. Collectable Chess Sets
What is a chess enthusiast without a chess set? Fortunately, these days, it’s not just the old fashioned chequered board anymore. If you have to budget for it, there are movie themed chess sets such as Harry Potter theme, Marvel theme, Dungeons and Dragons and even Toy Story theme for the little ones.
6. Chess Wall Decor
There are a lot more things to put on a wall other than wall clocks – such as The Queen’s Gambit poster if the chess enthusiast is a fan of the Netflix series, chess themed wall art painting or paintings, depending on how much wall space there is, or even chess rules to make the place look like a little chess club!