Specialty shop for chess sets and chessboards
DIVE INTO THE MAGICAL UNIVERSE 🧙
Discover our magical offers of the moment and enjoy an unparalleled chess experience.
Each chess set is carefully selected to capture the magic and adventure of your favorite universes, with Harry Potter chess sets and our finely detailed Lord of the Rings chessboards . Enjoy balanced pieces for an authentic feel and a quality board for perfect gliding. It's the perfect time to enrich your collection, relive your favorite scenes, and give a unique gift , all while making significant savings .
WOODEN CHESS SET
Traditionally, chess sets have always been made of wood, a noble material. These beautiful sets can also become a decorative element to enhance a room in your home. A wooden chess set helps create a studious and welcoming atmosphere.
We have a wide selection of handcrafted chess sets , some made in France, ranging from size 2 to size 5. Most of our chess sets come with a maple storage box . We also offer many chess sets made from rare woods , including ebony . Feel free to browse our selection!
WOODEN CHESSBOARDS
All the chessboards in our shop are handmade by talented and passionate artisans. We stock chessboards of all sizes and in various woods.
Discover modern chessboards made of mahogany, walnut, maple, oak, as well as olive and ebony wood ... With so many choices available, you're sure to find the perfect chessboard for you!
Chess pieces
Discover our selection of quality chess pieces , designed to meet all your requirements.
From elegant wooden sets to modern and original designs, there's something for everyone. Thanks to their meticulous craftsmanship, these chess pieces will be the perfect complement to your chessboard. The various sizes we offer ensure you'll find the right pieces for your board. Felted and weighted chess pieces will satisfy even the most demanding players.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, our collection offers a variety of styles and materials to enrich your gaming experience.
LUXURY CHESS SETS
Made with premium materials and designed with meticulous attention to detail, these chess sets guarantee an unforgettable experience for discerning players.
Each set is a unique piece created by talented artisans using leather, metals, or precious woods. Not only playable, these prestigious chess sets can also be displayed as decorative objects.
Invest in high-quality chess sets to complete your collection.
TRAVEL CHESS GAMES
Mini chess sets and foldable chessboards with storage space are available. These easily portable games feature a magnetic chessboard with magnetic chess pieces .
All these features make them ideal chessboards for travel. They offer a mobile gaming experience without sacrificing comfort.
AN ELECTRONIC CHESS GAME TO PLAY AGAINST THE COMPUTER
Playing chess on an electronic chessboard is an ideal solution for those who don't have a playing partner and prefer to avoid playing on a computer screen. These electronic chess games are perfect for beginners, often offering different game modes to learn and master chess tactics . This category in our catalog deserves your full attention. Furthermore, some connected chess game models allow you to play online from your favorite chessboard, giving you the opportunity to challenge opponents from around the world while retaining the tactile pleasure of the traditional game.
Did you know that in 1997, Garry Kasparov , then world chess champion , was beaten by the artificial intelligence Deep Blue , developed by IBM?
These technological advances clearly show that electronic chessboards have a prominent place in the world of modern chess.
How to choose the perfect chess set and chessboard for you?
Choosing a chess set is a matter of style and practicality. Pieces made of fine wood , such as walnut , rosewood , or mahogany , bring that little extra touch of elegance and playing pleasure that makes all the difference.
In terms of size, a size 5 chess set is ideal for playing comfortably at home, on a spacious board that showcases each piece. And if you like to take your games with you everywhere, a smaller size will be perfect for travel or outings.
Ultimately, the important thing is to find the game that truly matches your desires and your daily life.
Take your time to choose carefully, and let yourself be inspired!
Who are we ?
Passionate about the game of chess, we offer for sale modern chess sets made in Europe.
Our chess sets combine the finest selection of pieces and boards in perfectly matched sets. They cater to all budgets and include a wide variety of sizes and styles. All the models we offer for sale have been carefully selected for their quality, durability, and design.
If you want to buy a good quality chess set , you've come to the right place.
We hope you find the handcrafted chessboard that suits you.
FIND YOUR IDEAL CHESSBOARD IN OUR ONLINE CHESS SHOP
With thousands of satisfied customers and a rich selection of items in stock, Echiquier Boutique positions itself as your ultimate reference for chess in France .
We offer a diverse and varied collection that includes complete sets, traditional chessboards with handmade chess pieces , and chess clocks to add excitement to your games. Our items are affordable for all budgets and all skill levels.
In partnership with talented artisans , we strive to bring you authentic, handcrafted chess sets that combine quality craftsmanship with the art of this age-old game.
Whether it's wooden, metal, glass, luxury or travel chessboards , you'll always find something that resonates with your preferences and playing style.
We offer free delivery throughout France, with no minimum purchase required.
For any further information about our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team will be happy to assist you.
Handmade chess sets
At Echiquier Boutique , located in the heart of France , we are dedicated to the rigorous selection of each chess set to guarantee you an unparalleled playing experience. Our passion and expertise are reflected in every piece in our catalog.
You'll discover a diverse range of chessboards, from small magnetic sets and size 5 boards to numerous handcrafted chess sets with ever more captivating designs! Our sets are available in a palette of elegant colors: black, white, red, pink, gold, silver, and more. Furthermore, thanks to the expertise of our artisans, each chessboard is distinguished by a variety of wood types, each lending a unique character. With such a wide selection, every enthusiast is sure to find a handcrafted chess set perfectly suited to their needs.
Trust the expertise of our shop to offer you the best chess set .
Prestige: A Staunton Chess Set
If you're unsure which type of game to choose, we recommend a wooden chessboard with Staunton chess pieces . Are you familiar with the Staunton style? It's a standard for chess pieces, created in England by Nathaniel Cooke and endorsed by the London chess master Howard Staunton , after whom it is named.
Staunton chess pieces have a distinctive design with specific rules to follow. Typically made of wood, they are pleasant to handle thanks to their weighting, which allows them to stay firmly in place on the board. The underside of the pieces is felted, providing a soft feel and a floating effect when moved.
This standard, established in the early 19th century, became essential with the popularization of chess and the rise of international tournaments. Players demanded a universal model of pieces, and Staunton pieces met this demand. Today, they are recommended by FIDE (International Chess Federation) and are the standard used in international tournaments.
Play like a pro with a Staunton chess set . Discover the elegance and quality of these iconic pieces and add a touch of authenticity to your games.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chess
Why do we say "échiquier" and not "échequier"?
The word "échiquier" (chessboard) comes from the Old French "eschec," itself derived from the Arabic "šāh," meaning "king." Over time, the French language adopted "échiquier" to refer to the game board. Although " échequier " might seem logical, " échiquier " is the correct and historically established form.
What are the rules of chess?
1. The chessboard
The game is played on a chessboard, which is a checkerboard made up of 64 light and dark colored squares, most of the time the squares are white and black.
2. Positioning the parts
Each player has 16 pieces: a king, a queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns.
Here's how the pieces should be placed on the chessboard: 
3. Winning at chess
The goal of the game is to capture the opponent's king, which is called " checkmate ." If the king is threatened with capture, it is called being "in check." However, it is important to note that there are situations where the game can end in a draw. One such situation is " stalemate ," which occurs when the player whose turn it is has no legal move and their king is not in check. In this case, the game ends immediately without a winner.
4. Moving the pieces on the chessboard
The pieces move according to precise rules:
- The king can move one square in any direction.
- The queen can move as many squares as she wants in any direction.
- The towers can move as far as they can along their column or row.
- Fools can move as many squares diagonally as they can.
- Knights can jump over other pieces and move in an "L" shape, two squares in one direction and one square in another direction.
- The pawns can move one square forward or two squares forward on their first move.
5. The course of a chess game
The player with the white king starts. Players then take turns moving one of their pieces each turn. If an opponent's piece is on the square where you want to move your piece, you can capture it by replacing it with your own. It is essential to remember that the king can never intentionally put itself in check. If a king is in check, the player must immediately intervene on their next move to bring their king to safety. This can be done by moving the king itself, interposing another piece between the king and the attacker, or capturing the piece that put the king in check. If none of these moves are possible, the king is checkmated, and the game is over.
6. Promotion, castling and en passant
Pawns have some special rules. They capture opposing pieces diagonally, but cannot move in a straight line if there is a piece directly in front of them. If a pawn reaches the last rank of the board (from the player's perspective), it is promoted and can be replaced by any piece except the king. Players usually choose a queen, but this is not mandatory.
Castling is a move that allows the king to move to safety while connecting the rooks. It is a joint move of the king and one of the rooks. To castle, there must be no pieces between the king and the rook, and neither the king nor the rook can have moved previously in the game. Furthermore, the king cannot be in check, nor can it move through a square where it would be in check.
The en passant capture is a special rule that applies to pawns. If a pawn moves two squares from its starting position and lands next to an opponent's pawn, the opponent has the option to capture the advancing pawn "en passant" as if it had only moved one square. This move is optional and must be made immediately after the opponent's pawn's double step; otherwise, the opportunity is lost.
For more details on chess strategies or to explore advanced rules, we invite you to consult our blog.
Who is the current world chess champion?
The title of World Chess Champion is currently held by Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju . On December 12, 2024, at the age of just 18, he became the youngest world champion in history by defeating China's Ding Liren at the championship in Singapore. This exceptional triumph marks a new era for chess, making Gukesh an inspiration in India and around the world. 
Who created the game of chess?
The exact origins of chess are subject to debate, but it is generally agreed that the game originated in India during the 6th century under the name " chaturanga ". It then spread to Persia, where it was called " shatranj ", before spreading to the Arab world and then to Europe, where it evolved into the game of chess we know today.
What do you call a chess player?
A chess player is commonly called a " chess player ". For players of a professional or very high level, the title of " grandmaster " is awarded.
What are the best sites to play chess online?
There are many websites dedicated to chess where enthusiasts can play online against opponents from all over the world.
Here are some of the most popular and recognized sites in the world of online chess:
- Chess.com : One of the most popular sites, with millions of members. It offers classical games, blitz, lessons, puzzles, and even tournaments.
- Lichess : A free and open-source website, Lichess also offers a mobile app. It is appreciated for its clean interface and numerous features, including post-game analysis.
- Internet Chess Club (ICC) : One of the oldest online chess sites, it offers games, lessons and videos for players of all levels.
- Europe Chess : Recognized by the French chess community, this site offers online games, educational resources, videos, and news about the world of chess.
These platforms all offer unique experiences, so it is recommended to explore them to find the one that best suits your preferences.
Good game!
