best chess board

I am currently waiting for my own SakisTsiogkas board. I just ordered it 30 minutes ago. The reviews indeed are - at least to my knowledge - exclusively and overwhelmingly positive. I can confirm how excellent the communication and assistance of Athanasios beforehand was. Gladly supported me when thinking about possible wood combinations, adjusting the square size and even the direction of the wood grain and finish. The cherry on top of the cake was the fact that for once, I won’t have to pay any taxes as they’re also from the EU. Love it.

Since I believe the Jaques design/reproductions to be the most beautiful chess sets in existence, I also opted to go for a Jaques-style board. Because there didn’t seem to be the option of a rosewood, similar to the one from the 19th century boards, I went with beautiful Padauk/Maple with a black Wenge frame (I was thinking about Walnut/Maple with a Mahagony frame, to more or less mimic the rosewood or more modern Jaques boards, but found this combination to be not completely satisfying and a little bit boring. Square size 53 mm (very important to me: now my Offical Staunton 1850 replica, 3.5“ with a king diameter of 4 cm and pawn diameter of 3 cm as well as my CB Steinitz repro, 3.75“ with a king diameter of 4,2 cm and 2,8 cm pawn diameter fit very nicely - 75-79% of the square for the kings and 52-56% for the pawns, I like the board to be ever so slightly more „crowded“. Until now I have used 55mm square sized boards). Satin instead of a matte finish.

I am really excited and will update, when the board arrives. Until then, here are some pictures of the board from their shop. Note that here the wood grain is vertical and the finish matte.

Wow, stunning board! I will have to get one at some point.

The board is now on it´s way to Germany and I am thrilled. I asked Athanasios and Giorgos, if they could share some pictures of the process and while I would have loved to see more, I am happy about what they showed me.

The last photo shows the final result. It looks great in my opinion. A very vibrant red, interesting color of the Wenge and I am so glad about the horizontal squares. I wonder how their satin finish comes out. Next time (presumably on the 5th Septembre, I´ll be showcasing the board with pieces and everything.

Beautiful! Is that the result with the satin finish, or before?

Should be after the satin finish. I assume it´s just hard do tell because of the angle of the photo.

Thanks! How does the board you went with looks like? I also saw another really interesting board from CWW. But unfortunately, it seems he doesn´t ship to Germany.

This is the one I meant.

Also very nice. Looks like the dark squares are made out of bubinga?

I have 2 CWW boards, a Drueke-style and a Jaques board as well. My Jaques used custom woods and I think somewhere around here I have a picture of the board on Brad's worktable as it neared completion...

As I recall it was curly maple with Peruvian walnut squares, and a cherry border. I love the board and have it out on my main table regularly, though like a lot of people with many sets and boards I rotate them now and then.

I like my board simple ,From the 50's , One of my best chess buys at 20 Euros , With the hard to find 60mm SQ .

ColoradoWoodWorker - Etsy

Very eye catching @Lighthouse, your reconditioned Jacques style board. You must be especially proud!!?

Each time that I see it, I know that such a board “feels right.” I don’t know that I can do it for 20€ + elbow grease, but you give me something to aspire to. 🥰

Stately, classy, amazing, ______ etc.

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Thanks Patrick , Was a Labour of love , To find a board like this , in this size is so rare . At 20 euros .

I had a message about the board that Brad made for me asking for more photos, so here are some I think you will find interesting.

This is a photo of the entrance to Simpson's in the Strand, in London, where since the mid-1800's some world class chess was played in their "Chess Divan". Inside you will find a display on the wall of a Jaques board and the pre-Staunton chess pieces that were custom made for use at Simpson's.

The set in the display is supposed to be one of the last remaining examples, and one of the black rooks is a replacement from a different set. There are to my knowledge 3 different sites selling reproductions of this set, one of which I acquired, and have a few photos of it being used on my Jaques board.

As you can see, the board looks great, and the pieces look so at home on it. I have used other pieces on this board as well, but these just seem to belong here. Brad is very busy, so I will wait a while, but I might order one more board from him in the not so distant future, as I really like his Tower boards. For best viewing, right click on the image and select "Open in a new Tab".

Wow I didn´t now that. Maybe I should have asked beforehand! Certainly good to know, thanks!