Chess Gifts: Posters, Desk Mats and Mugs of Real Openings

Chess gifts start with the opening they play

Most players have one or two openings they play every game and are quietly proud of. A gift with that opening on it says you paid attention. If you are not sure which one it is, ask in passing what they play with White, or look at the openings tab of their online chess profile. These are the openings with posters and desk mats as well as mugs:

• Plays 1.e4 with White: Italian Game, Ruy López, Scotch Game, Smith-Morra Gambit for attackers, and the Bongcloud Attack for anyone with a sense of humour.
• Plays 1.d4 with White: Queen's Gambit or London System.
• Answers 1.e4 with Black: Sicilian Najdorf, Caro-Kann or French Defense.

If you cannot find out, the Queen's Gambit and the Ruy López are the two classics almost every player knows and respects. There are 40 openings in the mug collection if theirs is not on the list above.

Chess gifts by budget

• $23: a chess opening mug, 11 oz ceramic, dishwasher and microwave safe.
• $32 or $45: a chess poster in 12″×16″ (30×40 cm) or 18″×24″ (45×60 cm), matte paper, unframed.
• $6 and $14: a sticker or a cork-back coaster of the same opening, for a small gift or a stocking filler.
• $42: a chess desk mat, 16″×32″ (40×80 cm), with a non-slip base and stitched edges.
• $50.40: the mug and the 12″×16″ poster of the same opening (the mug is 20% off automatically with the poster). The product page of each of these openings links to its other formats, so you can put the set together in two clicks.

Pack: with any poster or desk mat in the cart, a mug is 20% off automatically. Not sure of their opening? The gift card ($25, $50 or $100) arrives by email and can be sent straight to them on the date you choose.

Buying for a whole team or club? Two mugs get 10% off and three or more get 15% off, and you can mix any openings.

Which format suits whom

The desk mat suits someone who studies or works at a desk: it sits under the keyboard and mouse all day, so it is the gift they will see most. The poster suits a chess corner, a home office or a club wall; the larger size reads well from across a room. The mug is the easy choice for colleagues, coaches and secret-santa gifts, and the one most people use every day.

Shopping for someone in particular? See our guides to chess gifts for dad, chess gifts for kids and teens and chess gifts under $30.

What exactly is printed

We would rather you know before you buy. Posters and desk mats show the opening's name, its ECO code, the board after the key move with coordinates around it, and the main line in algebraic notation. Mugs show the name and the board diagram on both sides, without the moves. On every product page you can play the line through on the board to check it is the right one.

Christmas delivery dates

Each item is printed when you order, which takes 2–5 business days, and then shipped with tracking. Our recommended last order dates for standard shipping this year are 11 December for the United States and 18 November for everywhere else. Orders placed after those dates will still be made and shipped, they just may not arrive before the 25th. You can see the estimated delivery window for your country on each product page.

Questions

Can I send it straight to the person?

Yes. Enter their name and address as the shipping address at checkout.

Do posters come framed?

No, they ship unframed. 12″×16″ and 18″×24″ are standard frame sizes in the United States; in Europe look for 30.5×40.6 cm and 45.7×61 cm frames.

What if they already have it, or it arrives damaged?

You have 14 days to return it. If anything arrives damaged or misprinted, email a photo and the order number to sales@chess4pro.online and we will replace it or refund you.