Chess and Draughts

Most children take to chess from around age six, once they can follow sequential rules and think a move or two ahead. Draughts suits younger children from about four or five. Jaques sets come in styles and sizes that work for beginners and experienced players alike, so you are not buying something a child will quickly outgrow.

Wood has natural weight and warmth that makes pieces satisfying to handle, which matters more than it sounds when you are trying to keep a child engaged. A well-made wooden set also stays flat, does not warp easily and looks presentable on a table rather than being tidied away. It is simply a more serious object, and children respond to that.

The standard guide is that a chess piece should occupy roughly 75 to 80 percent of a square. Jaques sets are matched so the pieces and board are already in proportion. If you are buying a board separately, measure the king's base diameter and multiply by 1.25 to find the ideal square size. For draughts the same rule applies to the counter diameter.

Yes, often more so than for a beginner. An experienced player will immediately notice weighted pieces, a felted base and a board with clean inlay. If someone has been playing on a cheap set for years, a Jaques set is a genuine upgrade they will use every week. It also presents well in the box, which matters for gifting.

Keep it away from direct heat sources such as radiators, which can cause the wood to split or the inlay to lift over time. Wipe it clean with a dry or very slightly damp cloth. Occasional treatment with a good beeswax polish keeps the wood conditioned. Store the pieces in their bag or box so they do not knock against each other and chip.

A tournament set follows the Staunton pattern with specific proportions, a king height typically between 85 mm and 105 mm, and weighted, felted pieces. Jaques invented the Staunton design in 1849, so tournament sets here follow the original specification. Standard sets may vary the style slightly for aesthetics. Either works for home play; tournament sets are the recognised form for club or competitive use.

A solid wood set with turned pieces, properly cared for, will outlast most other things you buy. Jaques sets from the Victorian era still turn up in working condition, which is the clearest answer to that question. The pieces are not glued together from components that fail; they are turned from single pieces of wood. There is nothing to delaminate or wear out in normal family use.