G Butterman Chess Board

I have observed the 2016 World Open in Philadelphia for five days as a non-player and green boards were the largest number being played.  In a small Ohio Congress tournament last month, of the 33 boards being played that day I found 22 green and 4 black as the most popular being used.

Of my personnal business, green has 78% of my sales of my current group of boards.  So, green and eggwhite will be my color on my first order of 100 boards and I'll try to print 2.25 and 2.00 squares sizes.

Don"t foget, I have the ability to manufacture any of my boards in volumns from 100 to 2,000 if the right buyer inquires.

G. Butterman

@glbutter -

A color which I think works almost as well as the popular green, is blue - as long as it is not too dark....perhaps close to a pastel shade.

In fact, I think almost any "pastel" color-shade would work well for the dark squares, as that would be pleasing and easy on the eyes while still providing sufficient contrast to the light squares, so long as the pastel is not rendered too light.  You might experiment with this.  In terms of your business, it would distinguish your products from the "same old same-same" of all the other producers of roll-up boards.  That could be a smart move for you. 

The color I dislike the most is...black.  As wiscmike commented earlier, the dark pieces tend to get "lost" on the board with black squares.  It is easier to visualize the relationship of the pieces if there is contrast between the color of the squares and the pieces.  Black pieces on black squares make it more difficult to "visualize", as the squares tend to "camouflage" the black pieces....

https://www.google.com/search?q=pastel+colors&espv=2&biw=1309&bih=731&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWq_H7hLbPAhVGQCYKHamoASsQsAQIKg

Actually, blue is a bit hard on the vision over longer periods of time.

Green is easier on the eyes and has been tested and proven in many tournament situations.

Of course natural wood colors work very well also.  I have found that the Walnut or Rosewood squares work well with black pieces.  It provides good contrast.

From an eye doctor point of view, I would say to stay away from any color of square that is harsh.  The colder colors like blue, bright or unmuted red, violet and so on make for a strong contrast that provides a harsher view, especially during a slow game of Chess.

The color of the squares and the pieces should not be the center of attention.  Instead they should, together, give a simple visual look that makes viewing the board and position easy on the eyes.

Personally I like the green and buff.  And the shade of green that Glen has picked for these boards is close to perfect.

I also find his Walnut colored board is excellent, especially with Rosewood pieces.

In other venues I find a Walnut board works well with Golden Rosewood and if the Walnut squares are not too dark, a Walnut set like the Noj Dubrovnik II works very well.

I like a Paduak square with Rosewood or Blood Rosewood pieces.  I also find Rosewood squares and Palisander squares work well with Black pieces.

We have blue boards in our club and most people prefer to not play on them.  Instead they pick up the green ones.

Here is a palette of pastel colors, some of which I think would work well on a chess board....they are not too light, not too dark....

http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/natsukis/67614080/25164/25164_original.png

Eyechess commented that blue is a bit hard on the eyes.  That depends on the shade or hue of the blue.  For example I think that the "Voyager 1" shade/hue of blue in the top row, far right of the image in the link above would work well and not be too "hard" on the eyes.

Eyechess also commented that he recommends against "harsh" colors.  I would say that "saturated" hues/shades, no matter the color, are "harder" to deal with visually, over a long period of time.  And the more saturated, the less contrast with the dark pieces, which hampers visualization, as I had mentioned earlier.  

All of this is the basis for my view that pastel hues or shades would be a good choice for the dark squares.

I got a green and buff and a wood colored one.  really like them got them today

If he is going to make 100 of one color to drop the cost down drastically I doubt if he is going to go for one pastel color. Obvious Green & Buff is the most common of colors and goes with mostly all tournament sets.   Also if the price does come down a lot I would say that quantity of 100 won't last very long.  He would start to get orders from clubs etc. 

Just received my 2" green and buff board. It's great! Thanks, Glen.

Yes, green will certainly be the biggest seller.  

My suggestion to consider pastels is in case he might want to offer some additional colors which would serve to differentiate his product line from all the rest - which are mostly all the same.  In particular I think a pastel blue might be a good color to try, to test the concept for market acceptance.

Hi Russ I totally agree with you, but I don't think he can afford to take a chance on making 100 of one. Will someone commit to a few he he only makes 6 of few pastels at a much higher price?  I guess that is the question. he can make any color you want as long as you commit to the price and product.  But maybe Glen can chime in with prices to make one custom color board in 2" or 2 1/4" 

I have a feeling those 100 green & Buff boards with a lower price are going to sell out fast. Glen has the chess item of the year, my opinion.  He developed the most perfect board all around that seems to me so far will last a lifetime at least my lifetime (old man here). 

wiscmike -

I agree with your take on things.  I was just offering food for thought, especially in the context of differentiating his products from all the other look-alike products on the market.  

Also, I do not mean to suggest that I want to purchase a bunch of boards, as I don't need them.  But if he were to make a pastel blue board, I would certainly want to purchase one, if for no other reason than I had made the suggestion to make one (and I suspect I would like it)!

Pastels do look nice and easy on the eyes. Shelby had a bunch on his ACE site and at the National Open in Las Vegas in June.  I got to see them up close. 

one of the squares looks like it ran a little bit, but love the board

Just to keep my chessboard supporters up to date:

My green chessboards will have the notations changed to the color green.

I have discussed my boards with Raphael Neff, CEO of CHESSHOUSE.COM.  This company has a long history of supplying high quality chess equipment for many year and I hope I will the opportunity to supply my boards thru this company.

Sample of the new green board:

Just to keep my chessboar supporters up to date:

I have updated my green board with green notations in more matching most vinyl boards.

I have discussed my green board with Raphael Neff, CEO oF CHESSHOUSE.COM,.  His company has a llong history of selling quality chess supplies for many years.

Glen,

How about a faux wooden pattern like this maple & padauk for those of us who want to travel light with our wooden chess pieces.