My Top 10 Lichess Sets (And What Boards To Pair Them With)

10. California

California has all the details that normal chess pieces have, but takes a more casual and relaxed approach, forgoing the columns to just reduce each piece to its profile. I like to use this one on mobile because it has a very "Apple-like" appearance to me. And I'm going to be completely honest here, I put this above other minimalist sets like Pirouetti just because of how cute the knight is. Look at that tiny little dot eye. I would pair this with the Canvas board for a fun, casual, "let's play chess with friends" look.

9. Dubrovny

Shout out to Dubrovny for being one of only two 2d sets using colors other than white and black (we'll get to the other one later). It has a distinctly retro appearance- it's not old enough to be a family heirloom, but it's not modern enough to be bought on Amazon either. The little touches make this one special, from the eyes on the knights (which is always a good thing in my book), to the bishop's hats being the opposing side's color (really cool, I wish more sets did this). Dubrovny looks great on any wooden board, but Wood3 further reinforces the retro theme.

8. Fantasy

I've always loved the "medieval" aspect of chess, and Fantasy is the closest thing we have on Lichess. This one is very unique and distinct from other sets, with special features not found in any other Lichess sets. My favorite little bits are the fact that rooks have bricks here, and the bishop with staff reminds you that the bishop is no mere local pastor- he has power. A common thing I've noticed with a lot of these sets is that Black looks a lot better than White, and it's super noticeable here with the dramatic shading. If you want to go all in on the whimsically powerful motif, Fantasy looks best with the Marble board.

7. Horsey

Yes, I know Horsey is a joke and it's supposed to be ugly. But there is something so endearing about personified chess pieces to me. Each piece is like its own cartoon character with its own personality. The mischievous rook, the silly knight, and the always-nervous king are highlights of this set. This set reminds me of all the "so stupid it's funny" things that go viral all the time. I love that Horsey knows what it is, and is totally okay with making fun of itself. Obviously the Horsey board is meant to go with the set, but dull-colored boards like Olive or Newspaper really help these cheerful chessmen shine.

6. Chess7

Fancy chess sets are my thing, but I appreciate Chess7 for striking a balance between simple yet elegant. I love that it has an interesting unifying theme of every piece having a diamond somewhere on it. It's easy on the eyes enough for beginners to learn with, and it's pretty enough for veteran players to enjoy this set. I also like pairing this with Marble (I really like that board) or Blue Marble.

5. Reillycraig

Reillycraig is a step up from Chess7 in terms of fancy design. The "webbed" queen is my favorite piece, and the knight's design evokes a seahorse (as in, both the animal and the mythical creature). It's a pure, tried-and-true chess set that makes even a quick, casual game feel important. I would say that Reillycraig looks good on literally every Lichess board.

4. Anarcandy

Oh, man. Where to start with Anarcandy? This set is the definition of chaotic and I am absolutely here for that. If you thought Horsey was weird-looking, Anarcandy is what happens when Horsey has a fever dream. Each piece is truly unique in its own hilarious way. From the traffic cone pawns and the diapered king to the chess box rook (whoa, meta) and anarchist pear bishops (who comes up with this stuff?), this set is a whirlwind of random imagery. Special attention must be called to the adorable queen (as someone who loves macabre imagery, that one deserves its own themed set) and the knights with glasses. This is the only set where I'd say that Black and White look equally good. I love the little detail that both colors of knights have different glasses: White having "Deal With It" shades, and Black having ladder shades. I could go on and on about this set for days. Unlike Horsey, Anarcandy doesn't come with a matching board, but it definitely looks best with Pink, along with Purple and Purple-Diag.

3. ModernJade

I love colors like teal and minty green, so obviously I'm being biased here. That aside, ModernJade is so pretty. Disregarding the name, this set could fit in pretty much any time period. The 3d graphics on this set are so good that you can immediately tell it's made of glass, and you can almost feel yourself picking up the pieces and putting them down. This set goes with so many boards, but I'll name just a few: Woodi, Marble (but let's be real, Marble goes with everything), Green-Glass, and Rosewood.

2. RedVBlue

This is the quintessential classic chess set. This is the chess set they use in dramatic movie scenes where the hero and villain play chess and it's supposed to symbolize something. The simple addition of a second color to the pieces makes all the difference in the world. White evokes the knight-in-shining-armor trope and Black is instantly thought of as the "evil king" or "evil wizard" archetype. This is not just a board game, this is a contest of wits. RedVBlue IS chess. Naturally, the best pairing for this set is the classic Black and White chessboard, which you can never go wrong with.

1. Experimental

When I said I loved fancy chess pieces, this is the one that popped into your head first, didn't it? Despite the name (I really don't understand why it's called "experimental" when it's clearly rooted in historical design), this chess set is the antique royalty of all other Lichess sets. This chess set is the one that sells for an absurd price. This chess set is your family heirloom. This chess set reminds you that chess is the game of kings. As mentioned with ModernJade, I love the colors, but Experimental puts in so much extra detail with its gilded designs. Even the humble pawn looks gorgeous. Both White and Black/Teal look exquisite. This is the perfect chess set. There is nothing bad I can say about it. It can be paired with any board and still retain its glamour.

What's your favorite Lichess set and what board do you think it looks best with?