Chess boards provide players with the means of engaging in tactical battles between two pieces. There are various chess boards available in many materials, sizes and styles.
Chessboards feature 64 squares arranged into 8 rows and 8 columns, each identified by a different colour; players may move pieces to any empty or occupied square.
Maple
This stunning maple chess board combines the elegance of traditional wooden boards with contemporary construction techniques. Crafted from natural woods, this unique maple board boasts a special matte finish to enhance and protect its surface while preventing glare – giving this timeless chessboard its distinct walnut brown coloration and timeless style. Made with top-grade maple and walnut woods that meet FIDE standards and featuring an inner black border to clearly demarcate between chess squares and frame, its appearance stands out.
Not only is this wooden chessboard an iconic symbol of sophistication, it is also an invaluable investment piece. Its luxurious tones and intricate grain patterns add an additional level of allure that elevates any playing experience – perfect for displaying in any home and completing any chess set!
The House of Staunton is synonymous with quality in wooden chessboard manufacturing. Established in the early 19th century and soon becoming an official supplier for the British Chess Federation in America, its boards quickly became household favorites among enthusiasts worldwide. Renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and use of fine hardwoods – their heirloom-quality boards remain popular favorites today among chess enthusiasts everywhere!
Wood has always been considered the preferred material for crafting chessboards throughout history due to its hardiness and resistance to moisture, making it the superior choice for this game. Wooden chessboards can be made using various species such as ebony, walnut and mahogany wood species; each type offers its own distinct qualities but all offer beauty and elegance when playing this timeless board game.
Wooden chess boards are more than mere playing surfaces; they’re works of art that showcase the dedication and skill of artisans who put their hearts and souls into every piece. You’ll find these classic masterpieces displayed at museums worldwide or held privately as treasured collections – making them ideal gifts.
Rosewood
At one time, most chess pieces were composed of ivory. Ivory is an ivory-coloured hard material extracted from elephant tusks that has long been considered endangered; therefore its harvest was banned by CITES in 1989. Since then, other materials such as ebony and rosewood have taken its place; both species of dense and heavy woods that can be polished to jet black; therefore their usage as luxury pieces has skyrocketed while cheaper sets often use imitation ebony in form of dyed boxwood that can be turned into pieces – these materials cannot be seen on pieces like their ivory counterpart.
Sheesham (golden rosewood) is an affordable yet popular option for crafting chess pieces. With its dark red tones and attractive grain patterns, Sheesham makes an excellent addition to a traditional wooden set. Being dense yet not as heavy as ebony or sandalwood means it won’t crack as easily; plus its wide array of stain colors ensure you can find one to suit your personal style!
Maple wood is another popular choice for chess boards, offering striking contrast against the dark pieces and jet black ebony squares of many sets. By nature it has a light color, though any hue can be stained into it easily with hand or machine tools, turning, glueing and finishing well; making maple an excellent option as it is both sturdy and long-term durable.
Walnut chess boards are an attractive option due to its neutral hue and attractive grain pattern that pairs well with most sets. Furthermore, walnut is dense and durable wood which will withstand repeated use – the best walnut boards will feature medium to dark hues which deepen over time, developing beautiful luster as they age.
Mahogany
Mahogany, famed for its deep reddish brown color and dense wood grain, can be beautifully carved. As it’s strong and durable material that stands up well under repeated abuse without losing its aesthetic quality, this makes mahogany an excellent choice for luxury chess boards where pieces made of more expensive materials such as ebony and rosewood may be featured on them.
Many luxury chess sets include an algebraic chess notation system to assist players in keeping track of moves and noting positions on the board. Understanding this notation will allow you to make an informed decision when purchasing your set.
Teak wood chess boards are increasingly popular. This light colored wood looks great when combined with honey-hued and sheesham rosewood pieces, or when contrasted with ebony men for added contrast. However, as teak will darken with age it should be remembered when selecting your set.
Walnut wood is the go-to material for creating chess boards, as its sturdy yet flexible nature lends itself well to ageing beautifully. While not as expensive than some alternatives, walnut still offers high-quality finishes and can accommodate a range of pieces styles and sizes.
Palisander, sheesham and padouk are three more options for crafting chess boards. Palisander (sometimes referred to as Dalbergia sissoo) is a strong yet lightweight wood with an attractive reddish hue and fine grain pattern; making it easy to work with and making it suitable as a choice for creating chess boards.
Sheesham is another option, though slightly cheaper and with lighter hues of red than Padouk. These woods can often be found combined into inlaid boards which feature small blocks of various woods laid over one base wood surface – these luxurious boards often command higher prices than standard veneer chess boards.
Redwood
Wood with a pale yellow to cream hue that features fine and even grain patterns is known as lime wood, and works beautifully when combined with jet black ebony to form striking chess boards. Popular choice for pieces because it creates an eye-catching and distinctive appearance which complements many different chess set styles; dense and durable material which resists wear and tear is another advantage; hence it is used as foldable boards material.
Walnut wood is an affordable choice with moderate hardness that’s popularly used to construct both boards and pieces in a chess set. With its desaturated hue that complements many sets, Walnut makes an excellent option for buyers on a tight budget looking for boards to use with their pieces.
Cherry wood is another light-colored option commonly used to craft chess boards and pieces, thanks to its smooth and polished surface that fits seamlessly with high-end pieces. Cherry is highly durable and will withstand frequent usage without wearing down over time – making it the ideal material for pieces that will be stored away for prolonged periods in a chess box.
Mahogany is an exquisite hardwood with deep red coloring that makes for a dense and sturdy construction, yet its beauty makes it popular as part of an ebony chess set as it compliments its dark tones nicely. Mahogany’s durability also allows it to make non-cracked pieces.
Rosewood is a dense and heavy wood that’s widely used to construct chess pieces. With a lovely combination of dark reds and browns, it is one of the more popular choices among mid-range to luxury sets. Some manufacturers even source special varieties called Bud Rosewood from its roots as this version is considered of higher quality than regular Rosewood.
