If you’re new to tournament chess or thinking of buying a chess set as a gift, you might be wondering: Do players bring their own chess sets to tournaments?
The answer? It depends on where you are in the world!
In the United States, bringing your own set and clock to a tournament is pretty much the norm. But in Europe and many other countries, it would be considered strange—because tournament organizers provide everything. This difference in chess culture can have a big impact, especially when buying chess gifts. Let’s take a deeper look!
Chess Tournaments: US vs. the Rest of the World
A discussion on Chess.com revealed that the US is somewhat of an outlier when it comes to chess tournament equipment.
- In the US, most tournaments require players to bring their own equipment, including chess sets, boards, and clocks. The general rule is that if you have Black, you get to choose the equipment used for the game.
- In Europe, Australia, and much of Asia, tournament organizers provide everything—boards, pieces, clocks, and even scoresheets. Players just show up and play.
One Chess.com user from France, chessam1998, said:
“Here there is no tournament in which players must bring their own chess set. In all tournaments, chess sets, clocks, notation sheets are provided.”
Meanwhile, another user, Coach_Leo, pointed out the exact opposite experience in the US:
“In the U.S., open tournaments almost always require players to bring their own equipment. But scholastic tournaments often supply the chess sets, and usually don’t use clocks since most children aren’t serious enough to own either sets or clocks.”
So, if you’re heading to a tournament in New York or California, don’t forget your chess bag! But if you’re playing in Paris or Berlin, leave your set at home!
What About Chess in Public Places?
Another interesting insight from the Chess.com thread is that in the US, many serious players carry a chess set in a bag—not just for tournaments, but also for casual play in parks and cafés.
- If you’ve ever visited Washington Square Park in New York, you’ll see players with their own roll-up boards, weighted pieces, and digital clocks.
- In contrast, in the UK and much of Europe, chess players are more likely to meet in clubs rather than play in public spaces. That’s why you don’t often see people with tournament-style chess bags walking around.
This is a huge consideration when buying chess gifts! A tournament set with a roll-up board and a chess clock makes sense for a US player but might confuse a UK or European player who doesn’t play outside of formal settings.
Chess Clocks: Another Big Difference
The Chess.com discussion also touched on chess clocks, and here’s another quirk of US tournaments: clock choice matters.
In the US, many players have strong opinions about which clock they prefer. Some swear by the Chronos clock, while others prefer DGT or ZMart clocks. Chess.com user ThrillerFan had a strong opinion about Chronos clocks:
“Half the users of Chronos clocks put the stupid beep on. In FIDE, these sounds are illegal!”
This debate doesn’t really happen outside the US. In Europe and FIDE-rated tournaments worldwide, DGT clocks are standard. You play with what’s provided, no questions asked.
So if you’re thinking of buying a chess clock as a gift, it’s important to consider:
- For a US player, a Chronos, ZMart, or DGT clock could be a great gift.
- For a European player, a DGT clock is the safest bet—especially if they play in tournaments.
Takeaways for Chess Players & Gift Buyers
If you’re buying a chess gift for someone, knowing where they play can make a huge difference:
- For US players, a tournament set, roll-up board, and digital clock is a great idea—especially for those who compete or play in parks.
- For UK and European players, they’re more likely to appreciate a home set, chess books, or digital study tools since they don’t usually carry equipment to events.
- If you’re playing a tournament in the US, check the event rules—you’ll probably need to bring your own gear.
- If you’re playing in Europe or Asia, just show up and play—everything will be provided!
So next time you’re thinking of buying a chess gift, remember: it’s not just about the set—it’s about where they play!
What do you think? Have you ever had to bring your own chess set to a tournament? Or do you prefer playing where everything is provided? Let me know in the comments!