Glass Chess Boards

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By Jon TEP

An Introduction to Glass Chess Boards

A glass chess board can be the perfect addition to either your home, or your chess set collection. A glass chess board is created to look really good, giving you great style if you decide to purchase one. Glass chess boards are the perfect type of decorations for your home as well. Nothing gives an added boost to a home office, library, den, or game room, than a beautiful glass chess board. Chess is a great game that can be played on all sorts of different boards, and has all types of different pieces. When deciding on the type of board you want, you need to think about how you are going to use the chess set. If you want a set that is used rarely, but looks great and is a perfect decoration, you are going to choose a different set than someone who is looking for a very durable set that is used all of the time. You are also going to have to decide on the pattern of your glass chess board, as well as the size. All of those decisions are important when choosing the correct type of chess board.

Cheap Glass Chess Boards for Sale

Glass Chess Board (15" w/ 1.5"sq")
Amazon Price: $18.18
List Price: $20.47
Classic Glass Chess Checkers Game Strategy Board Fun
Amazon Price: $6.86
List Price: $34.99

Why choose a Glass Chess Set?

There are a few reasons why people choose a glass chess set over other types of sets. The biggest reason why people go with the glass chess set is for decorative purposes. A glass chess set looks really, really good. This makes sense, because the first glass chess boards and pieces were made as early as the late 1800's, and were used as stunning decorations. Today you can still get great looking glass chess boards that not only can be used as a decoration, but also for game play.

The biggest plus to choosing a glass chess board is that you really get to pick what you are looking for. You should be able to match your glass chess board with whatever qualities you are looking for, such as decorative qualities, game play qualities, durability, and things of that nature. The ability to choose from a wide variety of looks is in part, what makes a glass chess board so popular.

Glass Chess Sets

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Glass Chess Boards

12x12 White Marble & Red Onyx Stone Chess Set
Amazon Price: $95.00
List Price: $139.00
15in Frosted Black and White Mirrored Glass Chess Set
Amazon Price: $15.00
List Price: $61.55

Wooden and Glass Mix Chess Board

There are a few different types of glass chess boards. One of the most popular is more of a wood set, but also has glass in it. This is a wooden frame, and board, with a glass plate on top, and is normally played on using glass pieces. What this board offers that other glass sets do not, is a lot of durability, and much less worry that you are going to knock the board down and break it into lots of pieces. However, this board does lack in some decorative properties.

The wood and glass mixed chess boards also offer great storage options. It is very easy to put a storage compartment underneath the frame of the chess board. This will make easy access and storage of your chess pieces. It is a big plus when buying this type of board.

A True Glass Set

The biggest reason to go with the glass chess board is for the looks, and they certainly do not disappoint. The best looking glass chess boards are going to have a mirror finish, creating just a stunning look for the board. You can still get great looking glass chess sets without the mirror finish, but they do not look nearly as good as the mirror finished boards do. The decorative pattern of the squares can come in different colors, and slightly different styles, so you are going to have to decide on which one of those you like best as well.

There are some other types of glass chess boards that you might want to investigate as well. Often Frosted glass is used on chess boards because you can get different colored boards that way. We have all seen frosted glass in yellow, red, or blue, and the same thing can be done on chess sets. Some times for decorative effects, you will choose a clear glass top, and than have colored pieces. Maybe you will have red and blue piece paired with the glass top, and this can be a pretty neat look as well.

Durability Issues

The biggest concern that most people have with a glass chess board is durability issues. This is certainly an understandable concern, because glass can chip and break. If you have small kids that are really rough on things right now, than maybe you should wait a little while before deciding on a glass chess set. However, the biggest way to solve your glass chess board durability issues, is to choose the right kind of glass.

Your solid glass chess sets are going to be more durable. That glass can take more of a beating and still delivers a good look. Hollow glass is going to be much more fragile, but is going to deliver a great looking chess set. You are going to have to weigh durability with looks when deciding on which glass top to choose from. Having the wood underneath and the glass on top is a perfect option for families that will get a lot of use out of the table.

Conclusion

A glass chess board and pieces might have started out as just decorations, but you can now get a great looking glass chess set that not only looks good, but is durable and easy to play on. The biggest things you are going to have to decide on when going with the glass chess set is what type of glass top you want, frosted glass, clear glass, mirrored glass, and well as if the set is going to be used more for decoration, or if it is going to be a fully played on board.

No matter what you are looking for in a glass chess board, you should be able to find it.

Glass Chess Board Comments

John @ no stress chess 20 months ago

I love the look of these chess sets but do have concerns over their durability esp[ecially as you say they may not be suitable around kids! Anyway I'll look forwards to collecting them once the kids have grown up.

Jon TEP profile image

Jon TEP Hub Author 20 months ago

Hi John,

That is definitely a valid concern as these are definitely aimed more at showcasing and collecting as opposed to use. Especially around kids that is a major concern, but I can also say from experience that chess sets are natural for collecting.

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