The most expensive chess set in the world

The "Royal Diamond Chess Set" by Bernard Maquin is widely considered the most expensive chess set in the world, valued at approximately $9.8 million.

Created by French artist Bernard Maquin for the luxury jewelry company Jewel Royalty, this extraordinary chess set combines exquisite craftsmanship with precious materials:

Key features:
1. Materials include:
- 18-karat white gold
- Over 500 carats of diamonds
- Black and white diamonds for contrast
- Precious gemstones

2. Design elements:
- Each piece is meticulously handcrafted
- Classical European design influence
- Intricate detailing on every piece
- Custom-made carrying case

3. Game board:
- Made with premium ebony wood
- Embellished with gold and diamonds
- Precise square measurements
- Professional tournament specifications

The set took over 4,500 hours of labor to complete and includes 32 pieces, each one unique and valuable in its own right. The king pieces are particularly impressive, standing as the tallest pieces and featuring the most elaborate designs and highest concentration of diamonds.

This chess set represents the pinnacle of luxury in chess collecting and is considered more of an art piece than a functional game set, though it is fully playable.

Note: There are other extremely expensive chess sets, such as the "Art of War" chess set (valued at $750,000) and various antique sets, but the Royal Diamond Chess Set remains the most valuable known chess set to date.