Best Vertical Chessboards & Sets (Our Top Picks)
As one of the oldest games in history, chess sets have had to keep adapting to keep up with the times. One of the most recent and intriguing trends is vertical chessboards.
Also known as “straight-up chess,” these mountable sets offer a new and exciting way to play and make a fun addition to any home, office, or library. On top of being functional, they also make a fantastic art piece and conversation starter when not in use.
These unique sets have piqued our interest for some time and after searching high and low, we compiled a list of our favorite vertical chess sets for almost any room.
3 Best Vertical Chessboards & Sets (Our Review)
Straight Up Chessboard (House Of Staunton)
If you’re familiar with chessboards, chances are you’ve heard of the House of Staunton. Their Straight Up Chessboards don’t disappoint and offer the quality and eye-catching beauty that they’ve become known for.
The boards come in a variety of sizes, with the largest board measuring a whopping 46 x 28 inches. The size of the chessboard is determined by their square sizes which should be chosen according to the height of your king.
Straight Up chessboards can also suit almost any room, offering a wide range of wooden finishes. The finishes include cherry bean, red cherry, red or black maple, dark walnut, maple nut, and black cherry.
You can also customize the frame you want to use, allowing you to pick the features to best suit your office or living room.
While the boards and pieces are sold separately, House of Staunton offers an exquisite selection of chess pieces to complete your new wall-mounted set.
Pros
- Different sizes available
- Variety of woods and frames to choose from
- Suits most decor
Cons
- Longer shipping time for bigger boards
- Doesn’t include game pieces
3-inch Old English Chess Pieces On Black Walnut Board (Straight Up Chess)
True to their name, Straight Up Chess offers a range of vertical chess sets. Each set has its own style which makes picking out the right one for your room a treat.
Of all the styles on offer, the 3-inch Black Walnut chess set is our favorite. It first attracted us for its ability to blend into almost any room and decor.
The set was designed to fit a 3-inch game piece set, based on the height of the king. The shelves are spaced 3.25 inches apart to safely house your pieces without leaving too much open space. The checkerboard squares have a width of 1.9-inches, with the board measuring 21 x 33 inches overall.
The Straight Up chessboard shelves are made out of transparent, durable acrylic so they disappear neatly into the background. They’re also well fitted to the board, so you don’t have to worry about anything falling off in the middle of the night.
Take care not to place too much pressure on the shelves to avoid breaking them, although they can be easily removed and replaced. The removable shelves also make for easier cleaning.
The full set of Old English-style game pieces are modeled out of high-quality boxwood and Sheesham, also known as golden rosewood. The set also includes a “Last Move” and “Check/Checkmate” marker to easily keep track of the game.
Pros
- Wall hanger included
- Removable shelves
- Markers included
Cons
- Acrylic shelves
Sisi Style Vertical Chessboard (Chess House)
Inspired by the famous Empress of Austria, Queen Elisabeth of Hungary, this striking chess set includes a unique group of chess pieces decorated with traditional Hungarian patterns. A chess tournament was held in Vienna in 1898 to celebrate her marriage to Franz Joseph, and this board commemorates that moment.
Sisi’s 21 ¼ x 15 ¼ inch vertical chessboard is made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and comes in a black and white colorway. The contrast of the black and white shades easily pulls the look of a room together with a chic, modern style while still maintaining the classic elegance of a traditional set.
The Hungarian-inspired pieces are made from weighty and durable concrete. Although their weight makes it more difficult for them to be knocked over, they should be used over a carpeted floor to avoid breaking or chipping the chessmen if they happen to fall from the frame.
The set also comes with a flexible insert marker to easily track your opponent’s moves.
Pros
- Durable
- Unique chess pieces
- Last Move marker included
Cons
- Expensive
Conclusion
These unique and functional sets have a lot to offer to anyone with an interest in chess. Not only do they make a beautiful addition to any room as a decorative and eye-catching art piece, but they also provide a unique perspective for your next game of chess.
So, whether you want to spruce up your home or office space or you’re just looking for a fun new way to play chess, investing in a straight-up chessboard is a no-brainer.