Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a meticulously crafted Chess Set that embodies the exacting standards and refined aesthetic synonymous with the prestigious marque. This contemporary interpretation of the ancient game of strategy reflects the brand’s deep understanding of its clientele, many of whom enjoy chess at competitive levels.
The creation represents a natural progression of the Rolls-Royce experience beyond automotive excellence, bringing the same principles of craftsmanship and attention to detail into clients’ homes. After a year of intensive design, engineering and experimentation, the resulting product serves both as a functional gaming set and as a sculptural art piece that celebrates strategic thinking.
Theatrical presentation defines the experience
The Chess Set demonstrates the same theatrical quality that defines the Rolls-Royce motoring experience. When opened, the set reveals its contents in a single, smooth motion carefully engineered to create a moment of revelation. This dramatic unveiling mirrors the ceremonial nature of arriving in a Rolls-Royce motorcar, where each interaction is designed to elicit appreciation.
The playing board features a gentle rise from its centre, visually referencing the flowing lines characteristic of Rolls-Royce vehicle design. This subtle elevation creates the illusion that the board floats above its narrow base, embodying the effortless movement associated with the brand. The aluminium grid foundation undergoes precise machine milling before skilled artisans hand-finish each corner to achieve perfect definition—a delicate process given the fine metal’s tendency to bend under manipulation.
Each set includes thoughtfully designed storage solutions. A leather-lined holder slowly elevates to present the chess pieces upon opening, while discreet drawers on both sides of the board open with minimal pressure. These drawers house additional queens for use during gameplay when pawns achieve promotion, demonstrating the practical considerations factored into the luxurious design.
Engineering precision meets gameplay functionality
The technical sophistication of the Chess Set extends well beyond its aesthetic appeal. The design team conducted extensive testing with six different magnet types to identify the optimal strength for securing the pieces while allowing smooth movement across the board. This magnetic system ensures pieces remain perfectly aligned during play, lending each move a sense of precision that enhances the gaming experience.
Every chess piece contains a hidden magnet and has been crafted with faceted surfaces that transform them into sculptural objects worthy of display. The designers studied traditional chess piece profiles before extruding them downward into square bases, creating distinctive, contemporary interpretations of classical forms. Fabricated from ceramic-coated aluminium and crowned with jewel-like polished stainless-steel heads, the pieces possess a satisfying weight and cool-to-touch quality deliberately reminiscent of the solid-metal organ stops found in Rolls-Royce vehicles.
The differentiation between opposing sides demonstrates subtle sophistication—black pieces feature a satin finish while white pieces receive an iridescent treatment. This careful contrast honours chess tradition while adding a modern aesthetic dimension that aligns with the brand’s contemporary luxury positioning.
Bespoke craftsmanship allows personal expression
True to Rolls-Royce tradition, the Chess Set offers numerous opportunities for customisation. The playing board comes in four veneer combinations, each arranged to create an elegant diamond pattern when viewed from above, with longitudinal grain surrounding the playing surface. Options include high-gloss Blackwood with Ceramic White and Macassar Ebony with Royal Walnut, as well as Open Pore veneer treatments in Smoked Eucalyptus with Paldao and Obsidian Ayous with Blackwood.
The extensive palette of thirteen leather colours provides further scope for personalisation. Clients may select from Cashmere Grey, Phoenix Red, Charles Blue, Forge Yellow, Iceland Moss, Scivaro Grey, Arctic White, Havana, Tailored Purple, Mandarin, Peony Pink, Black, and Lime Green to customise both the exterior and the chess piece holder. This breadth of options ensures the set can complement any interior space or reflect personal style preferences.
Each veneer element utilises wood from the same log, ensuring consistent grain patterns that will age uniformly over time—a thoughtful detail that demonstrates the brand’s long-term vision for its products. The aluminium edges framing both the board and chess piece holder receive a polished finish, while a discreet Spirit of Ecstasy emblem affixed to the front and back subtly confirms the product’s prestigious origins.
Client relationships drive product development
The Chess Set emerged from the brand’s intimate understanding of its clientele. “We are in the privileged position of knowing our clients personally,” explains Nick Abrams, Accessories Designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “These relationships—and the unique insights they provide into our clients’ worlds, tastes, and preferences—inform everything we do.”
This direct engagement with clients revealed the popularity of chess among the Rolls-Royce community, often played at advanced levels. The resulting product serves as what Abrams describes as “a discreet, beautiful, and authentic extension of our brand into their homes,” incorporating the same materials and craft techniques clients already appreciate in their motorcars.
The Chess Set exemplifies how luxury brands can successfully extend beyond their core products when guided by genuine client insights rather than arbitrary diversification. By focusing on authentic connections to their existing clientele, Rolls-Royce has created an accessory that feels like a natural evolution of the brand experience rather than a mere merchandising exercise.
Now available for commission through Rolls-Royce showrooms and Private Office boutiques, the Chess Set provides enthusiasts with an opportunity to bring the exceptional craftsmanship associated with the marque directly into their homes.