ChessMaze UK

ChessMaze UK: three decades of chess sets from Liverpool

ChessMaze UK is an online chess retailer based in Liverpool that has been trading since 1993. The shop presents itself as the "UK's premier chess shop" and states that it has been established for over 30 years. Its catalogue is organised around complete sets, individual pieces, boards, storage boxes and travel versions, with a particular emphasis on classic Staunton designs and artistic models.

What the catalogue covers

The store groups its stock into several collections that can be browsed separately:

• Chess sets, including luxury sets and combinations of pieces, board and box.
• Individual chess pieces, described as quality Staunton pieces.
• Chess boards in many styles and sizes.
• Chess boxes for storage.
• Travel chess sets.
• Lewis chess sets, presented as iconic Lewis sets.
• A separate B-stock section for chess sets.

Additional browsing categories visible on the site include gifts, value chess sets, gifts under £100 and unique chess sets.

Examples from the product range

The homepage lists specific combinations with their prices at the time of writing. Among them are a 15.75-inch mahogany board with 3-inch Classic Acacia pieces and a drawstring bag at £91.94; a 19-inch Mahogany Grand Classic Chess Set at £137.94; a 20-inch Anegre Artistic Parker Chess Set with vinyl box at £229.94; and a 3-inch Acacia Classic pieces set with a 15.75-inch wide-border mahogany board and slide-lid box at £113.85. Larger configurations include a 3.5-inch British Acacia pieces set with a 19-inch mahogany board and chess box at £171.35, a 3.25-inch Fierce Knight Acacia pieces set with a 19-inch mahogany board and box at £182.85, a 4-inch Black Winchester pieces set with a 19-inch mahogany board and box at £229.94, and a 4-inch Leningrad Acacia pieces set with a 19-inch mahogany board and box at £201.19. The range also features Artistic Parker pieces with a 20-inch Wenge chessboard and vinyl storage box at £287.44, and an Isle of Lewis Chessmen set with a 19-inch mahogany chess board at £206.94.

Materials and formats

Wood is the dominant material in the examples shown, with mahogany boards and acacia or wenge pieces appearing repeatedly. The catalogue mixes complete sets with separate components, allowing pieces, boards and boxes to be bought together or individually. Storage solutions range from drawstring bags and slide-lid boxes to vinyl boxes.

Buying terms and support

The site advertises fast delivery to the UK mainland on every order, a 30-day no-quibble refund policy and a three-year guarantee. It also lists sales support for help and advice and states that shopping is secured with PCI compliance. Payment methods displayed include American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Klarna, Maestro, Mastercard, PayPal, Union Pay and Visa. Prices are shown in pounds sterling, with options for the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.

Guides and editorial content

ChessMaze UK publishes buying guides on its blog, including articles on choosing a chess set, why serious players prefer wooden sets, how to select a set for regular use, and what makes a set feel premium in terms of weighted pieces, materials, size and finish. A newsletter subscription is also offered.