Contemporary Chess Market Value
Analysis of 31,119 eBay listings for contemporary chess sets.
What you'll usually pay
💡 Buying used saves about 43% here.
👉 In short easy summary
The best value is found in plastic sets, which trade at a 55% discount relative to the market median. Wood sets maintain the baseline value, while bone sets command a 75% premium.
💚 Best value for your money
Price by material
Why? Prices vary significantly by luxury of material, from plastic at 40.5 to bone at 157.5.
Price by brand
Why? Value is driven by brand prestige, with Cardinal at 31.49 and STAUNTON at 125.
Price by age level
Why? Sets for adults (17 Years & Up) are more expensive at 65.91 compared to children's sets (4-7) at 40.41.
🛒 Some on sale right now
Common questions
What is the price difference between new and used chess sets?
New sets have a median price of 87.48, while used sets have a median of 50.
Which material is the most affordable for a buyer?
Plastic is the most affordable material with a median price of 40.5.
How do House of Staunton sets compare to the market median?
House of Staunton sets have a median price of 42.95, which is 52% below the market median.
How we got these numbers
Worked out from 200 live eBay listings (price range $22–$285, odd outliers ignored). These are asking prices, so use them as a guide. Last checked June 27, 2026.