I started playing online chess during the pandemic, and continue to play on a daily basis (add me on lichess!). I've been on the hunt for a traditional chess set to have on display since then, and haven't really been able to find anything suitable.
The Search Criteria
My criteria are simple — I want the pieces to be instantly recognizable, and I wanted to avoid any traditional wooden sets, instead focusing on something a bit more modern.
There are tons of modern sets out there, but they often abstract the piece designs to such simple shapes that they are often hard to recognize, and in turn, hard to play with.
While sets like this Panisa set from MOMA might make for a beautiful piece of art, they are not fun to play on. I’m constantly trying to figure out which piece is which, instead of being able to focus on the game itself.
Enter Nymzo
Nymzo is a young startup out of NYC founded in 2024 that is focusing on creating modern chess boards, and the Stanton Series 01 is their first product to market.
At a glance, it happens to check all of the boxes I was looking for, so I was happy to get my hands on one for this review. Just a note — they sent me this for free, but this review is my honest take, and they didn't get to read it before it was published.
Unboxing Experience
The unboxing experience immediately sets a premium tone. Coming from the mechanical keyboard world, I recognized the hallmarks of thoughtful packaging design – the kind that makes you slow down and appreciate each component as you unveil it.
They've included a travel case with an elastic drawstring that includes all the pieces. It also has a large loop that acts as a holder for the rolled-up board, as well as a carrying handle.
Build Quality
Chess is such a tactile game, and picking up a cheap, lightweight plasticky piece is always going to be noticeable. In Nymzo's case, you can tell that they put a ton of effort into creating pieces that feel great in the hand, with a substantial amount of weight.
Each piece has an ABS shell with a soft feel, a precision cast metal base, and an inner silicone core.
When I was unboxing the pieces, I was surprised to see extra queens for both black and white—a very welcome addition for the late game.
The Playing Surface
The boards themselves are simple rubber mats with a soft touch material, available in either black or white.
They can be easily rolled, and include a slightly elevated playing surface. This is one of those details that would be easy to skip, but it's nice to see this sort of attention to detail on the little things as well.
A Few Downsides
There are a few nitpicks that I don't like about the set. Overall, I prefer the products in my home (especially those on display) to have as minimal branding as possible. In the case of this Stanton set, they've gone a bit in the opposite direction.
While the logo is well-designed, I wish it wasn't as prominent across everything in the set. It's on the travel bag multiple times, on the front of the mat, on the elastic bands, and laser-etched on each individual piece on the chess board (although those are hard to notice).
This is very much a personal preference, and I doubt the majority of people will care, but it's something I bring up consistently in my product reviews.
The other thing I noticed were a few scuff marks on the black chess mat (you can see them on the B and D squares below). These don't exist on the white board, so I imagine it's just a small issue in the production of these first batches.
edit: looks like this has already been fixed. Here's the response from Nymzo:
"Batch 1 black/metallic silver had a few issues controlling the metallic pigment and while we caught many, a number slipped through. We've made big strides for batch 2 and will keep pushing until it's as close to perfect as the processes will allow. Anyone who is reaching out with this issue can get a replacement from batch 2."
I prefer the look of the white mat over the black one anyway, so my recommendation would be to grab one of those instead.
Technical Specifications
Material Details
Pieces
- High durometer ABS outer shell with soft touch texturing
- Molded pressure fit silicon core inserts
- Precision die-cast, CNC finished brushed zinc bases
Flexmat
- 60A durometer
- Friction reducing coating
Storage Bag
- 600D Ripstop Nylon
- Custom-printed jacquard strap
- Elastic drawstring closure
Dimensions and Weight
Pieces
- Total set weight 1398g (~3lbs)
- King – 80mm height, 33mm base diameter, 61g (2.1 oz.)
- Queen – 72mm height, 33mm base diameter, 59g (2.1 oz.)
- Bishop – 66m height, 29mm base diameter, 44g (1.5 oz.)
- Knight – 60mm height, 29mm base diameter, 45g (1.6 oz.)
- Rook – 49mm height, 29mm base diameter, 45g (1.6 oz.)
- Pawn – 46mm height, 25mm base diameter, 29g (1 oz.)
Flexmat
- 450mm × 450mm length and width
- 2.5mm thickness
- 50mm playing square
Conclusion
The Stanton Series 01 is particularly well-suited for chess players like me, who appreciate modern design but don't want to sacrifice playability for aesthetics. It's an excellent choice for both serious players and design enthusiasts who want a premium chess set that can transition seamlessly between active play and display.
At its price point, it sits firmly in the premium category, but the quality of materials, thoughtful design touches, and excellent portability features justify the investment. These sort of products are tough to make (especially at this level of detail) for small companies, so I don't have a problem with the price point.
Quick Take
Pros:
- Premium build quality with weighted pieces
- Excellent portability features
- Thoughtful extras like spare queens
- Beautiful modern design that maintains classic piece recognition
- High-quality travel case
Cons:
- Prominent branding throughout
- Black mat shows wear more easily
- Cost can be prohibitive depending on what you're looking for
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