We designed the chess set the world plays. Since 1849.
Jaques of London created the Staunton design that every serious player now uses. This folding set carries that heritage into a board you'll keep for life — weighted pieces, a felted base, and a board that folds flat to store every piece safely inside.
The original Staunton lineage
not a lookalike
Weighted, felted pieces that feel right in the hand
Folding board stores every piece safely inside
Not a chess set that looks the part — the chess set the part was modelled on
When Howard Staunton lent his name to the design in 1849, it was Jaques of London who made it. That same pedigree is in this set: pieces with the weight to sit properly on the board, a folding case that doubles as storage, and the kind of quality that turns a first game into a lifelong one. The standard others copy, made by the company that set it.
- 01
19" folding chess board
- 02
Full set of weighted Staunton pieces
- 03
Internal storage
Why ours is the one you keep
| Jaques Folding Chess | Generic chess set | |
|---|---|---|
| Design lineage | Original Staunton makers (1849) | Copy of the Staunton design |
| Pieces | Weighted & felted | Light, hollow |
| Storage | Folds, pieces store inside | Separate / none |
| Price | £38.60 | Cheaper ⚠️ |
| Heritage | Jaques, since 1795 | Unbranded |
Good to know
What makes a Jaques chess set different?
Jaques of London made the original Staunton chess set in 1849 — the design now used in tournaments worldwide. You're buying from the company that set the standard, not one copying it.
Are the pieces weighted?
Yes — weighted and felted, so they sit properly on the board and feel substantial to move. It's a big part of why a good set is a pleasure to play with.
How does the folding board work?
The 19-inch board folds in half into a case, and every piece stores safely inside — so it's tidy to keep and easy to take to a friend's or on holiday.
Is it a good gift?
It's one of our most-gifted sets: heritage, beautifully presented, and the kind of thing that gets handed down rather than thrown away.
Try it risk-free
If it's not a hit, send it back — free UK returns. Trusted by 23,000+ UK families and made by Britain's oldest games maker, since 1795. Rated 4.1/5 from 686 reviews.