In short: young players like gifts that show they are serious about the game. A $6 sticker of their opening for a laptop or notebook, a poster for their room that doubles as a study sheet, or a desk mat for homework and gaming. Pair it with our free opening guides to keep them learning.
Contents
Which opening to choose
Children who play at a school club often learn the Italian Game first: it is the classic beginner's opening, built on quick development and an early castle. Teens who play online often pick something with attitude, such as the Smith-Morra Gambit or, as a joke among friends, the Bongcloud. If they play online, the openings tab of their Chess.com or Lichess profile tells you what they use most.
Ideas by budget
- $6, a sticker: 4″ (10 cm) vinyl with the opening's diagram, for a laptop, a notebook or a clipboard for tournament scoresheets.
- $14, a coaster: for a teen's desk, next to the screen.
- $32, the small poster: 12″×16″ (30×40 cm) for their room. It shows the main line in algebraic notation, so it is also a reference sheet.
- $42, a desk mat: 16″×32″ (40×80 cm) under the keyboard, for homework and online games.
Stickers and coasters are not toys and are not suitable for very young children. Mugs are best left for teens who drink hot drinks.
A gift that helps them improve
Each poster and desk mat prints the opening's main line, and every product page lets you play it through on a board. To go further, our opening guides are free, in English and Spanish, and explain the plans behind the moves. A poster of their opening plus the matching guide is a small study plan.
Christmas dates
Everything is printed when you order (2–5 business days) and shipped with tracking. For Christmas, our production partner recommends ordering by 11 December for the United States and by 26 November for everywhere else. After that, the gift card still arrives by email in minutes.
Questions
Can I buy several stickers for a chess club?
Yes. Mix any openings in the same order; orders from $55 ship free.
Can I return it?
Yes, within 14 days. Damaged or misprinted items are replaced or refunded.
More ideas in our chess gifts guide.