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Chess board

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Chess holds a lot of fun, when you play with the right chess essentials. In this blog, you’ll find 7 unique chess boards that’ll double your fun playing the game and enhance your overall gaming experience.

But is chess really fun? Let’s find out!

Chess Holds More Value than Just a Hobby

The game of chess holds different places in our lives. For some, it is a hobby, some may consider it as a great exercise for their brains, while others may choose to play for an academic activity.

But above all, chess is a fun game that adds a playful meaning to your life.

There are many chess players across the world who loves this interesting board game due to their strategic, analytical skill and logical thinking. The strategic sport demands the players to make clever strategies for a player to win the game.

So what is holding you back from playing chess?

Okay, maybe you like to play chess but struggle to keep up the momentum of your excitement. If that is the case, what if we say we can add more fun to your chess experience?

Would you believe us?

Your first question would be, “How?”

The answer is very simple: with chess boards that are designed to deliver wonderful experiences to the players.

‘Does choosing a different chessboard really make a difference?’

Here’s a feast for your curiosity

Need for Choosing the Right Chess Board for a Fun-Filled Gaming Experience

Indeed, selecting the ideal chess board goes beyond mere aesthetics; it plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall experience for players, making the game more enjoyable and engaging. The right chess board can significantly influence the comfort, convenience, and even the learning curve of the game, thereby raising the fun metre to the fullest.

Here’s how different features of a chess board can make a substantial difference in adding more fun to the game –

Lightweight Chess Boards – Carry it anywhere

A lightweight chess board offers unparalleled convenience, especially for players who love to carry their game on the go. Whether it’s for a quick match in the park, a tournament, or a casual game at a friend’s house, the ease of transportation can encourage more frequent play and practice.

Portability ensures that enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite game anywhere, anytime, fostering a deeper connection with the game.

Foldable – Enable easy storage solution

The convenience of a foldable chess board cannot be overstated. It not only facilitates easy storage and transport but also protects the board and pieces from damage. A foldable board is particularly appealing for those living in smaller spaces or for schools and clubs where multiple boards need to be stored efficiently.

Moreover, the ability to quickly set up and pack away a chess board can make spontaneous games more feasible and enjoyable.

Notations on the Chess Board – Facilitates beginners

For both beginners and seasoned players, having notations on the chess board is an invaluable feature. These notations, which mark the ranks and files, serve as a learning tool for novices, helping them to understand the game better and improve their skills. For more experienced players, notations facilitate deeper analysis of the game, allowing for discussions on strategies and moves without the need for referencing external sources.

This can significantly enhance the educational value of each game, making it a more enriching and fun experience.

Need help in finding the best chess boards that’ll add more fun to your game?

Below are the 7 unique chess boards that you may never regret buying.

Multiplying the Fun of Playing Chess with these 7 Unique Chess Boards

Minimalist Wooden Red Ash Burl Maple Hi-Gloss Finish Borderless Chess Board 19″ – 60mm (Buy from here)

Borderless Chess Board from chessbazaar

The elegant simplicity of this chess board, with its high gloss finish and borderless design, provides an uncluttered playing surface that enhances focus and enjoyment. The reduced thickness and minimalist approach bring a modern touch to the game, making each move and victory feel more impactful and visually pleasing.

Important Tip: Treat it gently and use soft, dry cloths for cleaning to maintain its beautiful gloss and prevent scratches. For more detailed information, take a look inside here.

Rubber Mouse Pad Tournament Roll-Up Chess Board With Algebraic Notation In Green & White Color 22″ – 60mm (Buy from here)

Rubber Mouse Pad Tournament Roll-Up Chess Board

This board’s rubber material makes it lightweight, easy to clean, and fully washable, ensuring that chess can be a part of all your adventures without the fuss. The roll-up design and algebraic notation make it perfect for on-the-go learning and play, blending convenience with the joy of discovery and strategy.

Important Tip: Keep it rolled up with the notation facing outward when stored to avoid creases, ensuring it remains flat and game-ready.

Folding Solid Wood Chess Board In Ebony Wood & Maple Wood – 12.5″ – 40mm (Buy from here)

Folding Solid Wood Chess Board

The luxurious feel of solid wood and the convenience of a folding design make this chess board a must-have for those who appreciate the tactile and aesthetic aspects of the game as much as the strategy. It’s perfect for avid travelers and passionate chess enthusiasts alike, offering a beautiful and practical solution for playing on the go.

Important Tip: Protect the wood by avoiding extreme temperatures and humidity, and consider applying a mild wood conditioner to keep the board in top condition.

Double Folding Tournament PVC Chess Board With Algebraic Notation In Green & White Color 20″ – 55mm (Buy from here)

Double Folding Tournament PVC Chess Board

With its unique double-folding capability, this PVC chess board offers unmatched convenience and portability, coupled with the practicality of algebraic notation for learning and strategy. Its durable material ensures it can withstand the rigors of travel and frequent play, making the game accessible anytime, anywhere.

Important Tip: Flatten the board out after unfolding to ensure a smooth playing surface for your games.

Folding Tournament PVC Chess Board With Algebraic Notation In Green & White Color 20″ – 55 MM (Buy from here)

Folding Tournament PVC Chess Board

The convenience of handling and the practicality of algebraic notation make this PVC chess board a delightful addition to any game session. Its foldable design allows for easy storage and transport, ensuring that players can enjoy chess wherever they go. The clear notation aids in learning and strategic planning, enhancing the overall fun and educational value of each game.

Important Tip: When folding the board, ensure that the creases are flat to avoid any disruptions during gameplay.

Genuine Leather Chess Board With Built-In Storage In Black Anigre & Antique Color 16″ – 45mm (Buy from here)

Genuine Leather Chess Board

This genuine leather chessboard not only adds a touch of luxury to your games but also enhances the fun with its built-in storage feature. The elegant design and premium materials elevate the playing experience, while the integrated storage compartments keep your pieces safe and organized. It’s a smart and stylish choice for those who value both functionality and aesthetics in their chess sets.

Important Tip: To maintain the quality of the leather, periodically clean and condition it with suitable leather care products.

Folding Cardboard 19″ Chess Board With Notations In Brown And White Square – 55mm Square (Buy from here)

Folding Cardboard 19 Chess Board

Despite being made of cardboard, this chess board adds smart fun to the game with its affordability, convenience, and educational notations. Its lightweight and foldable design makes it easy to carry and store, perfect for players on the move. The notations printed on the board help players learn and improve their game, making each match more engaging and rewarding.

Important Tip: Store the board in a flat, dry place to prevent warping, and handle it with care to ensure longevity.

In the list of seven unique chess boards, there are many tournament chess boards, if you don’t know much about the tournament chess board, you may check this blog.

‘Oh wow! I need one. Where can I buy the chess boards mentioned above?’

Chessbazaar – Buy Chess Boards Online

At Chessbazaar, we pride ourselves on being the premier destination for all your chess needs. With a vast selection of high-quality chess boards, pieces, accessories, and more, we provide everything essential to elevate your gaming experience. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every purchase from Chessbazaar is not just a transaction but an investment in hours of fun, learning, and camaraderie.

Worried about the price? Fear not!

On Chessbazaar.com, you can buy chess boards at the best prices, ensuring that you get exceptional value without compromising on quality. Our commitment to affordability means that every enthusiast can enjoy the thrill of chess without breaking the bank. Explore our collection today and discover why Chessbazaar is the go-to choice for chess enthusiasts worldwide.

Buy chess boards in India and abroad online from Chessbazaar today. Explore our collection and discover why Chessbazaar is the go-to choice for chess enthusiasts worldwide.

Introduction

The dimensions of a chessboard are not as straightforward as they might seem. The basic geometry of the chessboard is easy to understand, but the size of the squares on the board also needs to be considered. The size of the squares on a chess board and the pieces used must be in proportion to each other.

The tips below will make it much simpler to pick a board and set from the inexhaustible possibilities! This article provides an overview of chess basics, and board standards, as well as delving into some guidelines that cover the most important elements of selection- the pieces.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s start from the ground up.

Chess Board Dimension

Combo of Tournament Series Staunton Chess Pieces with German Knights & Walnut Maple Chessboard - 3.7"
Combo of Tournament Series Staunton Chess Pieces with German Knights & Walnut Maple Chessboard – 3.7″

The chessboard is an 8×8 grid of 64 alternating black and white squares, with 32 light squares and 32 dark. All the squares are equal in size, and the board should have even measurements on all four sides. Each player controls an army of 16 chess pieces – pawns and other pieces (the king, queen, rooks, bishops, and knights).

Chessboard and Piece Standards

By beginning with some basic formulas and adding a sense of what looks good, we will end up with separate equations to size the king and pawn according to their respective squares. The scaling factor for each piece will be different.

Regarding over-the-board tournament play, the United States Chess Federation (USCF) has identified different specifications. For example, square size can be any value from 2 inches to 2.5 inches. Alternatively, the king’s height should be 3.375 inches to 4.5 inches tall. Interestingly enough, the standard USCF tournament set contains squares measuring 2.25 inches with a king’s height of 3.75 inches.

FIDE, the World Chess Federation, specifies that for competitive games, the square size should fall between 5 and 6 cm (or 1.97 to 2.36 inches). Additionally, they recommend that kings stand 9.5 cm tall (3.74 inches).

Also Read: How to find the right size chessboard for your wooden chess pieces

●     Chessboard: Pawn Size Ratio

pawn size ratio representation
Pawn

The FIDE regulations state that the diameter of a pawn should be approximately half the width of the square. To put this into perspective, four pawns could fit inside one chess square.

Some players feel that the pawns are too small, and they argue that the diameter of each pawn should be big enough so that two fit into one chess square.

After we calculated the pawn’s diameter, we discovered it was 58.6% the size of the square. This is still within tournament regulations, although it does surpass FIDE guidelines by 17%

●     Chessboard: King Size Ratio

There is a proportional relationship between the king’s base diameter and the square size: following the guideline that the diameter should be about 75-80% of the length or width of the chess square creates appropriate chess piece spacing.

Representation of king size ratio in a chess board
King

Most people believe that the optimum King Diameter to Square size lies between 72% and 82%. The U.S. Chess Federation supports this claim by stating that tournament play should have a range of 73-78%. However, other sources recommend anywhere from a low of 68% to 85%, with the median being 76.5%.

King Diameter = Size of Square x (0.765)

The ideal King and Pawn for a standard 2.25” tournament-size chess board would be:

King Diameter = 0.765 x 2.25” = 1.72”

Pawn Diameter = 0.586 x 2.25” = 1.32”

With this arrangement, the king would take up 76.5% of the square’s width, and two pawns could fit diagonally inside the square.

The 75-80% rule ensures that your board has enough space between the pieces for any type of over-the-board (OTB) play, including tournaments, blitz games, analysis, and friendly play.

If you ignore the 75-80% guideline, you’ll likely not have enough space. If the king’s base diameter to square size ratio is too large, it results in an overcrowded board.

The official piece spacing guidelines set by FIDE may cause you to see a slight difference in the way the pieces are spaced on the board. Keep in mind that because the squares are 2 inches instead of 2.25, there is less room between each piece.

Also Read: How to measure a perfect chessboard for a particular king size?

3 Pro Tips – To See if Your Board has Enough Space

  1. An easy way to see if your chessboard has the proper dimensions is if you can fit four pawns into one square. According to USCF guidelines, most tournament chess sets should be able to do this. If you are using the standard USCF board and set, then your set passes this test.
  2. As we talked about earlier, some players do better with less space on the board. A way to test this is by playing with only two pawns in one square as described above. Although the two pawns game can’t show if you have enough space, it might help give you an idea of whether or not you could achieve a combo that’s slightly more crowded.
  3. Lastly, to see if your board/set combination is overcrowded, there is a quick and easy test you can do with only three pieces. If you place a king and queen on adjacent diagonal squares, and a third piece passes between them easily without any of the pieces touching, then your board/set combination is not overcrowded.

Conclusion

With so many rules and choices to consider, it can be overwhelming trying to select the right chessboard. The information provided is not only for competitive players- it can also be used for friendly games or personal analysis.

The goal of choosing the right chess board and pieces is to be able to play the game properly on a board with appropriately sized squares.

Let us know your preferences for boards and sets in the comments section below!

Do you like playing on one that is too overcrowded or the one that has ample space?

We would love to hear from you.

Introduction

Do you want to start playing chess, but don’t know how to choose the perfect board? This step-by-step guide will help you find the best board for your needs. There are a few things to consider when making your purchase, such as size, materials, and style.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced chess player, choosing the right chess board is important. The wrong board can make the game more difficult and frustrating than it needs to be. In this blog post, we will discuss the different factors you need to consider when choosing a chess board, as well as some of the best boards on the market today.

Let’s get started!

How to Choose the Perfect Chess Board?

While choosing a chess set may be partly based on preferences, it’s also important to consider the practicality of your decision. Do you prefer wooden or vinyl? By knowing precisely what you want, the decision will be much easier.

Some of the criteria that you might want to keep in mind are

  • Serious gameplay or purely decorative?
  • Travel Vs Home
  • Size
  • Material
  • Design
  • Budget

Let’s take a closer look at each one of them

●    Serious gameplay or one that is purely decorative?

When purchasing a chess set, you might not think to ask yourself whether the set is for play or decoration. However, it’s an important question with a surprising answer – some sets are made purely for decoration and aren’t meant to be played with at all. While all of our sets are beautiful, some don’t play as well as others. For example, take a look at our “Slightly Imperfect Chessboard Series“– they are all stunning! However, because the pieces aren’t easily identifiable, it can be tough to play a game with them.

●    Is the chessboard meant for home use or travel?

One of the most important steps in choosing a chessboard is whether you want a portable set or one for your home. If you plan to travel with it, make sure it’s not too heavy or delicate. You wouldn’t want it taking up valuable space in your luggage either.

Usually, portable versions of anything come with some sort of sacrifice in quality. For example, cheaper boards are likely to be less aesthetically pleasing than their sleeker counterparts that stay at home.

For those wanting a more convenient option, consider purchasing a folding board or small wooden chessboard with designated hollow spaces to keep all the pieces in one place.

A magnetic chessboard is a great option for pieces that are less likely to get lost on long trips. This way, you can also play while traveling without the risk of losing pieces.

Check out our Travel Series Chessboard.

 

●    Size of the Chessboard

The size of your chessboard will affect both the cost and accessibility, with larger boards being more expensive but easier to play on if you have bad eyesight.

If you buy the board and pieces separately, make sure that the size of the pieces fits 75% of a square on the chessboard. If you buy them together, don’t worry as they come sized correctly for one another.

●    Material of the Chessboard

There are a few things you should take into consideration when deciding what type of chessboard to buy. Ask yourself how important the material is to you, and weigh that against other factors such as price and durability.

For example, materials like wood or marble might be more attractive but they’re also usually more expensive and less durable. Wooden chess boards can easily get scratched, and marble can chip fairly easily as well.

If you don’t travel with your chess board, however, this shouldn’t be an issue. Otherwise, plastic chess sets are both affordable and durable; though they lack the feeling of authenticity that often comes with hand-crafted pieces.

●    Design of the Chessboard

There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a design for your chessboard. If you buy the board and pieces together, they will usually match in color and style.

Some people prefer a more classic look while others prefer something more modern or even whimsical.

One important thing to consider is how good you are with chess notations.

If you can easily recognize a square without having the letters “a to h” and numbers “1 to 8” printed on the edge of the board, you should probably go with one that doesn’t have them.

On the other hand, if you’re just starting or need a little help keeping track of where each piece goes, it might be worth getting a chessboard with these notations.

●    Budget

Your budget is, of course, a major factor when choosing any type of chess set. If you’re looking for a high-quality board with beautiful pieces, you can expect to pay more.

If you’re just starting, however, there are plenty of chess sets available at a lower price point. You can always upgrade later on as your skills improve.

Consider these factors when choosing a chess set and you’re sure to find the perfect one for you!

Shop CB Genuine Black Leather Sling Bag for Wooden Chess Board Fits up to 21″ or 54 cm Square Chessboards 

Conclusion

So, what’s the best chessboard for you? It depends on your needs and preferences. We hope this article has helped make the process a little less daunting.

If you’re still stuck or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to help.

Happy shopping!

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