Chess equipment for your student player

Originally published 29 March, 2018

Unlike other sports or activities, Chess requires modest equipment. At the minimum beginners should be prepared to acquire the following chess equipment:
1. A set of solid plastic World Chess Federation regulation chess pieces and pawns;
2. A standard chessboard with letters and numbers; and
3. A scholastic scorebook.

Chess pieces and pawns
These plastic pieces and pawns are durable and well suited for the rough handling which are meted out by beginners. These pieces and pawns should be Staunton in style and tournament regulated size as specified by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Rules. It is unlikely that these tournament regulated size pieces and pawns will be sold in toy stores. It is better to contact a chess instructor or your country's chess federation for a recommendation on where you can purchase the appropriate chess pieces and pawns.

Chessboard
The appropriate chessboard for your chess pieces and pawns depends on the size of the base of the King. Manufactures of chess pieces and pawns would sell or recommend the appropriate chessboard for the chess pieces and pawns. Confirm that the chessboard you are about to purchase is suitable for the chess pieces and pawns. If the chess pieces and pawns, and chessboard are not tournament regulation size then your student chess player may not be able to use them in a chess competition.
Having chessboard with factory printed coordinates (letters and numbers) are ideal because these letters and numbers are used by instructors during chess classes. They are aslo used during chess competitions and the study of chess.

Scholastic Scorebook
The scorebook is not necessary during the early chess lessons but will soon be required. The scorebook allows the student chess player to record his/her moves and those of his/her opponents. In competitions, recording chess games form the official record of the game and is a requirement in tournaments with standard time controls. Recorded games can be used by players and tournament Arbiters to resolve disputes arising during chess games. Additionally, recorded games are used by chess instructors to assess students level of play and grasp of material covered during instruction. Furthermore, players use their record of games to review their games and learn from their mistakes and to glean ideas from their opponents.
The line spacing of these scholastic scorebooks are wider so as to accommodate student players who may need additional space to write and record their moves.
You can appreciate that a golf student needs a set of golf clubs and a tennis student needs a tennis racquet and balls. Just like the golf and tennis student, a chess student needs a Chess Set (Chess pieces and pawns, and Chessboard) and a Scorebook. Chess equipment is necessary for chess instruction so ensure that you are purchasing equipment that is suitable for your student players needs.