KIM COOK
Associated Press<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Part game, part sport, part home decor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chess sets come in so many creative varieties \u2014 some museum-worthy, some utilitarian \u2014 that there\u2019s one to suit just about anyone on your holiday gift list, from the serious player to the merely aspirational one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demand is up for handmade versions, says Etsy\u2019s trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSearches for premium or unique chess sets skyrocketed 280% in the last three months compared to this time last year,\u201d she reports, calling them \u201ca perfect gift for an avid player, but also for anyone looking to add a statement piece to their home.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Johnson\u2019s favorites: a limited-edition, marble-and-onyx set co-designed by John Legend and Etsy maker shop EarthlyCompany. Or, also on Etsy: stylized, modern geometric sets with pieces made of concrete or colorful resin, from San Diego\u2019s Placoncept. Prices start around $140, to just over $400, depending on the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those inspired by Netflix\u2019s 2020 drama \u201cThe Queen\u2019s Gambit,\u201d there\u2019s a collection of wooden sets made of walnut, mahogany, rosewood and maple \u2014 the same models used on the show\u2014 at the Chess Store. Prices range from $179-$679, based on the rarity of the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Got a friend or family member who thinks they\u2019re a chess ninja? Get a set of The Chess House\u2019s hand-painted Samurai-themed pieces, which include warriors, leaping horses, the shogun and his wife. The set sells for $119.00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those wanting just a simple, handy chess set for traveling, the retailer has roll-up vinyl boards in bright colors like red, blue and green, with standard black-and-ivory pieces, for under $20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chess master Garry Kasparov designed a set in which the pieces are sized according to their game power, instead of the traditional formation where the largest is at the center and the smallest are at the edge. A metal plate with his signature sits on the board\u2019s edge on the players\u2019 sides, and this Heirloom Set is available for $349.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How about choosing two cities for an epic battle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Splurge on Skyline Chess ‘ sets of iconic cities, includi<\/p>\n\n\n\n