Investing in chess

I am doing research for a project about getting involved in chess and would like to request feedback.

I believe chess to be a relatively inexpensive activity to get started, but like many activities, how much you spend depends greatly on how deeply involved you think that you want to go. 

I have seen a wide variety of boards/sets at a variety of prices - anywhere from as little as $10 for a real cheap small set with small plastic pieces to more than $100 for a very elaborate set depending on the material it is made from.

Generally, I have observed, you can get a basic tournament style set for $20-$30 depending on the source./vendor. The same goes for a clock.

So, my question for the forum is this: How would you describe a basic initial investment when starting to play chess? What would you say are subsequent investments?

My thoughts include the following initial items to acquire:

• Tournament quality board and pieces (stationary to remain at home)
• Clock
• Notation book/pad for recording games
• Study materials (books, magazines, online tutorials and other resources)
• Fee for in person chess coach or subscription to online resource like Chess.com

The next level

• Portable tournament quality board and pieces
• Carry bag for travel set
• Possible second clock for travel
• Funds for joining chess clubs (if they charge dues; but most are free)
• Funds for meeting a chess coach in person (if they charge)

A step further

• USCF membership and any applicable state association dues
• Funds for tournament entry fees
• Subscriptions to chess magazines

Getting really serious

• electronic chess board
• Traveling to longer distance tournaments
• Chess clothing and other amenities

These are just a few things I thought about immediately. What are your thoughts on these points and can you recommend additional points?

Thanks!!

I think because you can keep the cost as low as you want or need, it is not important to calculate. For me I sometimes think of the fuel cost.. And then there is the chess pieces- there have been many beautiful sets made to last and be played.. So if you take that path, you will soon see that it is branching out, and that you can raise the cost as high as you want and can But since there is no need to, again, it seems it is not important to calculate.

Ungewichtet,

Good point. I agree that a player determining how much he/she spends on chess is part of their overall personal budget.

In my research, I am gathering input to help illustrate how flexible chess is financially. This is a means to an overall ends of showing potential new players how playing the game can affect their finances depending on how much they invest according to their available resources and desires.

In this day and time, fuel costs are definitely a significant factor in chess activity.

Chess sets-wise, I have several sets. I purchased some for specific reasons and others were gifts from family.

Thank you for contributing to my topic.

It just depends - you can be a beginner level player but enjoy owning an expensive wooden or electronic set, or you can be quite advanced and spend absolutely nothing playing exclusively online

Getting into chess can be very inexpensive, with a basic initial investment for a functional tournament-style board and plastic pieces ranging from $10-$30, plus access to free online rules and tutorials. Subsequent investments, as involvement deepens, often include a digital chess clock ($20-$50), online platform subscriptions ($5-$20/month), study materials (books, courses), notation pads, and potentially more significant costs for coaching ($20-$150+/hour), chess club memberships ($10-$100/year), and tournament entry fees, reflecting a flexible spending range based on dedication.