Drueke Poll: 2 or 2.25" squares?

Hi all - 

I have a set of Drueke 35 Player's Choice pieces. I want to order a board. Chess Antiques says perfect on 2 1/4" squares. Other places say 2" squares are perfect.

If I were going to buy a board to match (from colorado woodworker, naturally) what size square would you go with? I'll wait until Sunday, add up the votes, and probably go that route. . .

If the board's too big I get lost. I like it not so big that the patterns disappear.

This is to some extent a matter of preference. It's not very nice when the board feels cramped, but nor when it looks like a skating rink. There are guideline intervals for heights and base diameters and their suitability for specific square sizes, but one rule of thumb that always works well for me is that you should be able to fit two pawns (their base diameter, that is) placed diagonally inside one square.

Chess Set Sizing - Pieces vs Board...

The primary sizing criteria for the set and board is that of square size vs King base diameter...
A good rule of thumb is...
King base diameter = 0.75 * square size
or equivalently....
Square size = 1.33 * King base diameter
Any variation from these ratios, or the size of individual pieces and pawns is a matter of personal preference...

See also...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/a-system-for-sizing-chess-pieces-and-boards-long

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/what-size-board-for-3-75-inch-king

I'm going to chime in with some of what others have said...it is personal preference and it's set dependent.  But you have the set there in front of you and we don't.

A good rule of thumb is that four pawns fit "comfortably" on one square.  They shouldn't float on the square with lots of extra space, and they might even take up all the square, but they probably shouldn't overhang more than a small amount.

So, if different sites are saying different things, you probably have a case where you could go either way.

OK, I just went and measured my House of Staunton Collector's Set (4" king) sitting on board (actually, measuring it, it seems to be 2 1/8 inch--almost sure it's from Dreuke--did they ever make 2 1/8 inch?).  So, my board is slightly small for my set based on both the "four pawn rule" and "percent of king base rule."  But honestly, I think it looks good on the board.  I don't think I'd want a bigger one even if I could trade it.

And your set is actually slightly smaller I think, so I would consider 2" to be enough.

 And while I'm at it, here's a picture of mine.  2 1/8" board...pieces the same or maybe slightly larger than yours.

The Player's Choice, with its king diameter of 1.5 inches, is perfect on 2 inch squares.  Chess Antiques is wrong about that,.  2 1/4 inch squares are OK but not perfect.  That's just my opinion, but USCF tournament sizing guidelines agree with me. 

And you can take that from J.R. "Bob" Dobbs, Church of the Subgenius.

sounds good. Looks like I'll go with a nice 2" board. 

Looking at peruvian walnut & maple, but regular walnut has some traditional appeal.

I have the Brazilian Cherry, maple (playing squares) and walnut (border apron) Drueke Style board by ColoradoWoodWorker (Brad Borkowski).  I love it!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/498580706/brazilian-cherry-and-maple-drueke-style?ga_search_query=brazilian&ref=shop_items_search_9

Board Squares = 2.25"   King Height = 3.875"  King base = 1.625"   Pawn base = 1.125"

Pieces = GM Blitz Set by ChessBazaar.

Regarding the 4 pawns inside the square issue.  I don't feel that it is necessarily a critical concern.  I own many nice chess sets, and prior to purchasing them I have never paid attention to that particular issue.   Ironically enough though, based on the base diameter of the pawns in the photo, these do meet that criteria.

I'd really like to answer this question with a picture of actual players choice pieces on a 2-1/4" board but for whatever reason this editor turns my pictures upside down. Regardless, 2-1/4" is the only way to go for that set.

https://wgnoyes.com/IMG_5124.jpg

wgnoyes!
Thank you for that picture. Really seals the deal on 2 1/4 for me for the Drueke set... Is that a real drueke board or a colorado woodworker? walnut and maple?

That board is the real thing, albeit from the final generation of vintage boards after Drueke had been sold to the Carrom Company. It's walnut and maple. 

And here's the set shown on the much harder to find Drueke folding linen board, 2-1/4" squares. 

https://wgnoyes.com/28796054_10212990274444602_8855392677971043591_n.jpg

From the pictures, 2.25 is better than 2".  In fact I'd say 2.25 is the minimum, although I do not like crowded boards.

I never heard of Drueke pieces, but I googled it and I  understand that they are old, but they seem pricey for plastic.  

Quality Solid Wood Chess Boards...

Colorado Woodworker....custom chess boards....

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ColoradoWoodWorker/items

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/colorado-woodworker-custom-chess-board

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/drueke-poll-2-or-2-25-squares#last_comment

Drueke, JLP and Colorado Woodworker custom chess boards...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/drueke-vs-jlp-woodworking-solid-wood-chessboards?page=1

ChessHouse.com is the exclusive distributor for JLP boards...

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/jlp-hardwood-chess-boards

Drueke boards....

http://www.druekegames.net/products/

Drueke also sells on eBay...

http://stores.ebay.com/Drueke-Games?_rdc=1