Chess related items for an 8 year old boy

[Dorriethelittlewitch]

This year ds wants a Lewis Chess set having recently visited Uig and then seen some of the pieces in the museum in Stornoway.

Getting a replicia set isn't a problem but I wanted to make him a hamper of Chess themed items and that's proving somewhat trickier. I have a couple of books on Chess, another Knight for his Castle set (very loosely related I know) and a pair of socks.

He bought himself two books on the Lewis chess set, a keyring, a magnet and a model Knight whilst we were on Lewis.

Any suggestions are more than welcome and at this point even tangentially related is fine. He's a fairly serious 8 year old who enjoys playing Chess and other board games, does kickboxing and plays football. He doesn't like chocolate and he loves anything maths related.

A chess game scorebook perhaps if he doesn’t have one.

WH Smith have a day-to-day puzzle calendar for 2023.

Oh- there is a kids book about that set… like a story book… let me find it…

Chocolate chess pieces
Plays on words like “pawn cocktail crisps” or “KING sized chocolate bars”

A timer?
A magnetic travel size set?
A T-shirt…

The book
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chessmen-Thief-Barbara-Henderson/dp/1911279858/ref=asc_df_1911279858/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=499348480770&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4089989854875722426&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007359&hvtargid=pla-1205442048212&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

My son is 7 and got a chess clock which he has used a lot

Amazon or Spreadshirt have got chess themed tee shirts etc. Have a look on Etsy for things like mugs, water bottles or bits to add to his key ring.

A chess clock would be a great present if he planning on playing with someone.
My DH has a DGT3000 in a wooden effect, I got for him as a gift. He loves it. They are expensive though because they are used for tournaments but you can get excellent lookalikes on Amazon if it's just for fun 😊

How about other chess-like or abstract games? Obviously there is Mountain Imports Beechwood Veneer 1-Centimeter Etched Beginner's 9x9 Go Game Set Board with Single Convex Melamine Stones - Classic Strategy Board Game (Baduk/Weiqi) amzn.eu/d/6NFY5j1 Go, but all of the below games are also excellent:

Two player:
Hive
The Duke
Onitama
The GIPF Project series - I have only played Yinsh but really rate it (although I see it’s currently out of stock).

More multiplayer / family friendly abstracts are:

Azul
Blokus

Does he have a subscription to chess.com?

The free to play level provides access to millions of other players (and therefore endless games) but you can go premium for additional lessons and analysis.

The new Gotham.Chess/Levi Rozman is surprisingly good quality for a youtuber product. How to beat your dad at Chess also good if you don't have it already.

More Lewis chess goodies here shop.nms.ac.uk/search?type=product&qjs=Chess&q=Chess&view=js

Peter Foster's Check Mates is a good fiction book for that age.

My Foster Son loves Gotham chess on YouTube. He also has learned a lot about openings, middle and end games from him.

Thank you all. He'll definitely be getting Hive, a chess clock of his very own (now his little sister can play, the competitive level has ramped up) and the Chessman Thief as a starting point. Feeling a lot less stressed now.

His sister asked for a Fairyland themed Hamper which was so much easier.

DD (12) has this travel chess set. It lives in her school bag, and she plays with her bf at lunchtimes. It also comes on holiday with us.

Lots of chess T shirts , water bottles, mugs etc on Etsy, Spreadshirt, Cafe Press etc
bottle

Maybe not "pawn star" though!