PRINTWORKS The New Yorker's Chess Set

Product Insights & Style Tips

PRINTWORKS The New Yorker's Chess Set feels like a curated slice of Manhattan: witty, bold, and steeped in culture. Rendered on wood and illustrated by the inimitable Christoph Niemann, every piece on this board is a New York icon with a graphic twist—think: the Statue of Liberty standing guard as a formidable Queen, pigeons strutting in place of Knights, and those unmistakable yellow cabs zipping by as Pawns. From the rooks to the King, each aspect is thoughtful, tongue-in-cheek, and primed for conversation, all wrapped up in a striking color story that feels more gallery wall than game night basic.

Sized at just under 14 inches square, this chess set claims its space on a dining table, credenza, or coffee table without dominating the room—ready to spark impromptu matches or simply grab the eye of anyone who passes by. The wood gives it weight and a gratifying tactility, so every move feels considered and substantial in the hand. With pieces that are easy to grasp and a compact frame, it slips seamlessly into small-space living while still making a strong visual impact, and the lid doubles as a showcase when not in use—it's as at home layered amid art books and objets as it is in play.

This collaboration between PRINTWORKS and The New Yorker taps into the current mood of collectible, design-forward games—the kind you see on the coffee tables of creative insiders and downtown apartments. It’s a tribute to New York’s restless energy and playful irreverence, embodied in a set that wears its wit (and its influences) openly. Whether you’re staging a proper match or just admiring it from across the room, it’s a piece that’s as much about style as it is about strategy.