How much does chess cost?
$40 buys all 2 essentials.
2 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission
Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick
$40
2 items, nothing rented
Against 247 hobbies
Below median
Cheaper than 73% of them. Median hobby: $84.
What each thing costs
Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.
What you need
$40Everything you need to start chess. None of it is a big commitment.
Chess Software
$15Online play + analysis. Chess.com and Lichess are the standards.
Lichess.org Free Account + Stockfish Engine (Free)
mid $80top $80
Later, if you stay
Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.
Chess costs more to start than 27% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.
Cost questions
How much does Chess cost to start?
About $40 for the 2 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each.
What does each thing cost for Chess?
Tournament Chess Set: from $25. Chess Software: from $15.
Is Chess an expensive hobby?
Chess costs about $48 to start, dearer than 27% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this is one of the cheaper ones to get into.
What should I buy first for Chess?
tournament chess set, chess software — $40 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.
Hobbies that cost about the same
The 6 nearest to chess by startup cost, out of 247.