Ask an Armenian child what they learned at school this week and there is a good chance the answer includes chess. Armenia is the only country in the world where chess is a compulsory subject in primary schools — and it shows. This small nation has produced a world champion, a shelf of Olympic gold medals, and a culture where a chessboard is as much a part of the home as the dinner table. In this guide we look at Armenia's remarkable chess heritage, what makes a hand-carved Armenian chess set special, and how to choose the right one.
A Nation of Chess Champions
Few countries love the game the way Armenia does:
- Tigran Petrosian — “Iron Tigran,” World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969 and a national hero to this day.
- Levon Aronian — one of the strongest grandmasters of the modern era and a household name in Armenia.
- Team gold at the Chess Olympiad in 2006, 2008 and 2012 — an astonishing record for a country of under three million people.
- Chess in the classroom — since 2011 the game has been a mandatory school subject from the age of six, taught as a way to build patience, planning and character.
So when you set up an Armenian chess board, you are joining a tradition that runs from the village courtyard all the way to the world championship stage.
In Armenia, chess is not a hobby — it is a second language, spoken across every generation.
What Makes an Armenian Chess Set Special?
The moves are the same everywhere in the world — it is the board that makes an Armenian chess set unmistakable. Each one is hand-carved from solid wood, most often beech or walnut, by master craftsmen such as National Master carver Hrachya Ohanyan. Instead of a plain printed grid, the frame is worked with Armenian symbols: Mount Ararat, pomegranates, grapevines, carpet motifs and ornamental braids.
Many of these boards are also two games in one — fold the chess board open and a full backgammon set waits inside, so a single heirloom covers both of Armenia's favorite games. You can explore the full range in our Chess Sets collection.
The Most Popular Designs
Five styles account for most of what Armenian players reach for:
| Design | Signature look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Symmetrical carved border in beech & walnut | A timeless first set or gift |
| Mount Ararat | Armenia's sacred peak carved into the frame | A patriotic centerpiece |
| Star-Shaped | Radiating star geometry around the board | A statement display piece |
| Circular | A round board with concentric carving | A true conversation starter |
| Pomegranate & Vine | Engraved pomegranates and grapevines | An heirloom-quality gift |
Chess Set, or Chess & Backgammon Combo?
One of the nicest things about Armenian boards is how many of them are built to do double duty. The outside is a full chess board; open it up and the inside is a complete backgammon set. If you (or the person you are buying for) love both games — or you simply want the most out of one beautiful object — a combo board is the way to go. Prefer to keep it pure? Our Classic Chess Sets and Carved Chess Sets are chess through and through.
Choosing the Right Size
Armenian chess boards are measured by the length of one side. As a rough guide:
- 24–30 cm — compact and light; ideal for apartments, shelves and travel.
- 40 cm — the popular all-rounder, comfortable to play on and easy to display.
- 50 cm — a statement centerpiece with room for the carving to breathe.
- 60–70 cm — heirloom and collector scale; a genuine piece of furniture.
Larger boards give the pieces room and show off the carving — but measure your table first, especially for the 60 cm and 70 cm sets.
The Collector's Choice
If you are looking for something truly special, two pieces stand out. The signed sets by Hrachya Ohanyan are hand-carved by one of Armenia's most respected National Master craftsmen — functional art as much as game boards. And for the ultimate centerpiece, a carved chess table with solid bronze pieces turns the game into the focal point of an entire room.
For patriotic detailing, don't miss the Ararat Outlined Chess Sets, where the silhouette of the mountain frames the board.
New to the tradition? You might also enjoy our guide on how to play Armenian backgammon — the perfect companion game.
Final Word
An Armenian chess set is more than a board and thirty-two pieces. It is a link to a nation of champions, a piece of hand-carved craftsmanship, and an invitation to slow down and play. Whether it is a first set for a child learning the game or an heirloom for a lifelong player, a handmade board makes every match feel like an occasion.