Why Is a Chess Set Expensive? The Cost Breakdown
Fifteen euros at the supermarket, several hundred at a workshop — for the same game with the same rules. The question "why is it so expensive?" is a fair one. Here's the honest answer, cost item by cost item.
Material: the biggest visible difference
Solid hardwood costs several times more than plastic or thin veneer over particleboard — not just to buy, but also to work with, since solid wood needs to be milled and sanded more precisely.
Labor: the least visible cost factor
A piece that's hand-turned, sanded, and polished takes many times longer than an injection-molded plastic piece. That labor time is the single biggest cost item at a workshop — and the least visible one.
Weighting and felting
Lead weights in the base, cleanly cut felt on the underside — small details that each cost extra handling per piece, multiplied by thirty-two pieces per set.
Quality control
Every set is inspected before shipping — weight, craftsmanship, surface finish. This inspection carries no visible cost, but it's exactly what prevents the disappointments that are common with anonymous mass-produced goods.
Packaging and presentation
A sturdy gift box with an insert is a small piece of craftsmanship in itself — and part of what you're paying for with a high-quality set.
Schachatelier: at home in Berlin
Schachatelier is at home in Berlin. Every set is handcrafted by experienced makers — transparent about what every euro goes toward.
→ Discover handcrafted collector's pieces
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are high-quality chess sets so much more expensive than basic ones?
Mainly because of the material (solid wood instead of plastic), the labor time for handcrafting, the weighting of the pieces, and the quality control before shipping.
Which cost factor is most often underestimated?
Labor time. Hand-turned, sanded, and polished pieces take many times longer than a machine-made piece — that effort isn't visible in the finished product.
Is the higher price really worth it?
For anyone planning to use a set for decades, generally yes — the cost spreads out over the years of use, while a cheap set often needs replacing more than once.
