A Guide to Picking a Wooden Chess Set

One of the most popular games around the world is chess, and nothing is better than playing chess on a wooden chess board. Chess is the classic game, where people from many different walks of life can come together and play. Chess is a game of strategy, skill, and thousands of different possibilities. Having your own custom game set, made out of wood, can really add a lot of style to your chess playing. The great thing about chess boards are that they really impress people, they are great to play with, but also just as great to use as a decorating piece in your home. That is what makes a wooden chess board so great, not only is it good enough to be used as a board for competition, but a well made custom set make the perfect decoration for your game room, library, or home office. Picking the right wooden chess board is important, but normally comes down to personal preference. Here is just some basic information on the different types of boards and what to expect when you are shopping for them.

Somethings are not going to change no matter what type of chess set you have. You are still going to have 64 squares alternating between white and black (although with a custom made set you can have a little more range in colors). You are still going to have the same amount of pieces for both sides, and the moves are all going to stay the same.

The great thing about a custom made wooden chess board is that you are going to have the flexibility to make it the size you want. You are going to be able to determine how the outside of the board is decorated. You are also going to be able to determine what color schemes are used for the squares, and what the design of the pieces are going to be. That is the exciting part about having your own wooden chess board.

There are a few reasons why a wooden chess board is very popular. The first major reason, is the natural elegance that a wooden board gives off. I have been a long time fan of wood, by bookshelves are wood, my floors are wood, so naturally my chess set is a wooden chess set. The look of the board not only fits into my home, but gives off a high class chess style. Spending a few extra bucks is worth it.

The pieces and the board give off a great look, but are still durable and can be played. Wooden boards and pieces do not crack easily, can be dropped without breaking, and still look good. Fancier boards might be great for decorations, but often the pieces are fragile, and they become a decoration, not a playable board. You do not have that problem with wood.

Wooden Chess boards also often look better than metal, plastic, and other types of boards, while still delivering great durability, look, and a great game play experience. Looks are important.

The most common type of a wooden chess board you are going to find is probably going to be made out of maple or elm. They are very common woods that have a great grain to them, so they give off a great pattern. They are easy to work with, so you can make big chess boards out of them or go with the more portable type boards. You should have no durability issues out of either maple or elm. People also like the price. Elm and maple boards are not going to cost as much as exotic woods, and still deliver a great game play surface and a fantastic look.

Other common woods used for wooden chess boards include oak and boxwood. These are still great options to have your chess board made out of.

There are some more expensive wooden chess board options out there. The big draw about spending more money on Rosewood, ebony, or red sandalwood is the incredible beauty those boards have. Using those woods to create your chess board is going to give you a jaw dropping board, that is durable and provides all the benefits of a wooden chess set. You may not want to play on your ebony board just because of the beauty, but the board should be more than durable enough to handle it.

These are the types of chess sets that you can pass down generation to generation and still impress kids and grandchildren. If you are looking for the highly decorate, but durability and functioning chess set, there are no better choices that rosewood, ebony, and red sandalwood. Choosing between those different types of wood is going to be a personal preference on what type looks a little better according to you, and how it would look in your home.

The best piece of advice I can give you when picking between chess boards is go with the style you like the best, and remember what you are using the chess board for. If you want a chess board that is going to be a major focal point for decorating a room, and still be used to play on, think about spending the extra money on rosewood, ebony, and sandalwood. If it is not that important to you to have a decorative chess board, and you are more worried about game play and durability, think about going with elm or maple, because they still deliver a great look, but are not as elegant as the other types of wood.