The ‘Queen’s Gambit’: Chess sets make staying at home fun

Thanks to the megahit Netflix show that follows the trials of a troubled young chess prodigy in the 1960s, the nearly 1500-year-old game of chess is hotter than ever. According to marketing research company NPD Group's website, sales of chess sets are up by 87% in the US following ‘The Queen's Gambit’ debut in late October. From over-the-top luxury sets priced into the thousands to simple versions closer to the set that you grew up with, chess sets are flying off store shelves as the perfect stay-at-home way to pass the time.

Quirky potter and furniture designer Jonathan Adler has designed a chunky acrylic chess set that would look perfect on a cocktail table in one of the show's chic midcentury interiors. The Museum of Modern Art shop in New York has several artist inspired chess sets including a replica of the set that the Surrealist artist Man Ray made in 1920 from found objects in his studio.

William Gallmeyer's company Tool Chess produces sets made from powder-coated nuts and bolts. "I’ve loved the game since my fifth grade math teacher, Mr. Brown, taught us how to play," Gallmeyer said. The idea for the set was developed at Gallmeyer's family machine tool business in Grand Rapids, Michigan when a couple of shop workers replaced a lost chess piece with some hardware pieces during their lunch break. "My dad designed the rest of the pieces, and the project sat dormant for a few years then I decided to pick it back up and make an earnest go of it. It helps me feel connected to my family and the old family business. Since ‘The Queen's Gambit’ aired, I’ve sold more Tool Chess sets than I did in the previous 2 years or so" he said.

Here are 8 unique chess sets to pass the time in style while you stay at home.

(Moma)

Man Ray, the American icon of Dada and Surrealist art created his geometric chess set in 1920. The knight, perhaps the most striking piece, is represented by a scroll-shaped violin finial. The hand-finished beech set is $387, and the board, $225, store.moma.org.

(William Gallmeyer)

William Gallmeyer's innovative Tool Chess sets are made from repurposed, powder-coated nuts and bolts. $245, toolchess.com.

(William Gallmeyer)

For added effect, the nuts and bolts Tool Chess set comes packaged in a handy red or black tool chest carrying case. $245, toolchess.com.

(Jonathan Adler )

Conjure the minimalist glamour of the 70s with Jonathan Adler's chic acrylic chess set. The set comes in neon orange and green or black and clear acrylic. $595, jonathanadler.com

(Nordstrom)

This colorful 2-in-1 set is a modern update to chess and checkers. The pieces made of sustainably grown rubberwood are easily stored beneath the lid that doubles as the game board. $55, nordstrom.com

(Moma Design Store)

Artist Keith Haring's most beloved works like his barking dogs and dancing men have been turned into a playful chess set. The lacquered wood pieces come in a drawstring bag emblazoned with the artist's 1989 self-portrait. $38, store.moma.org

(Neiman Marcus)

Kettler's lightweight resin chess pieces are between 17-inches and 25-inches tall and make for a perfect outdoor game of chess. $700, neimanmarcus.com

(Atys)

The minimal clear and blue Modern Acrylic Chess Set from Atys is perfect for contemporary interiors. $385, atysdesign.com

The cast resin Frank Lloyd Wright Midway Gardens chess set includes multiple "sprites" and other design elements from the architect's 1914 Midway Gardens project in Chicago. $165.95, architectgiftsplus.com