Everyone is asking "why does it need to be so expensive"? I think it's basically the same reason why anything that doesn't have to be expensive, is: 1) To make

Everyone is asking "why does it need to be so expensive"? I think it's basically the same reason why anything that doesn't have to be expensive, is: 1) To make money 2) To elevate status For 1), buying world championship chess sets is not something done en-masse. You buy one because you really like chess and have disposable income, otherwise there is literally no reason not to buy a normal cheap one. For 2), you don't want people to say the chess championship gives you shitty chess pieces that break, no? 95% of people won't care, but those that will will. And 500 dollars is not very much for an event this size (although chess championships haven't been the biggest event..) The fact that they made a video showing off "look how expensive and nicely done our chess sets are" basically proves it's a status thing.