I might prefer without letters and numbers.
In any event the letters are usually capitalized to indicate the piece but
lower case to indicate the square.
I also prefer the board without notations. I plan to get rid of them once I learn how to play this game! I thought about the upper and lower case issue as well, but it just doesn't look as nice with lower case letters. Although, we both agree that no letters at all would be best.
Super nice! Is the glass laser etched? Beautiful work!
I wish! You'd only see that on an episode of Pimp My Chessboard. I just wanted 60mm squares at a regular human price.
How about sandblasting?
How about sandblasting?
That's an interesting suggestion worth looking into. I can't imagine it would be cheap though, and there's still the color problem. Wood pieces might look a bit "off" against frosted glass.
I plan to etch mine and use black and ivory chess men. My entire table top is glass. The etched part will represent white squares.
Yours looks great, pdkang.
I plan to etch mine and use black and ivory chess men. My entire table top is glass. The etched part will represent white squares.
Yours looks great, pdkang.
Post pics when you're done!
Nice chessboard, pdkang!
I most definately will.
You made it? Great job, but where did you get the piece of glass.
Well, I like it!
If anyone's interested I have two new prototypes in acrylic coming in. One with lower case notations (in the lovely Chess.com trebuchet) and one without notations.
Wait for it; Confusious say, "Those who live in glass chessoard should not throw stones".
Super nice! Is the glass laser etched? Beautiful work!
I wish! You'd only see that on an episode of Pimp My Chessboard. I just wanted 60mm squares at a regular human price.
That looks gorgeous, well done you.
"Pimp My Chessboard" - hahaha. I believe there's a new series starting on MTV next month. Nothin but the best, for Kanye West. That dude loves his chess, man.
Very very cool! Does the reflection in the glass annoy you at all during play? is it at all distracting?
Very very cool! Does the reflection in the glass annoy you at all during play? is it at all distracting?
Great question. For me personally, no. However, if you're playing at night and you have ceiling lights that are reflected in the glass, that could be bothersome (like sunlight glare on the TV). It'll depend on board placement vs. light placement vs. sitting position.
The reflection of just the pieces is not visually intrusive. However, one caveat would be that I have a chestnut colored table which might mute the reflections.
I have a couple acrylic panels coming in tomorrow with the colors reversed (dark squares painted for a white table). We'll see tomorrow. I'll post some pics.
Very very cool! Does the reflection in the glass annoy you at all during play? is it at all distracting?
Great question. For me personally, no. However, if you're playing at night and you have ceiling lights that are reflected in the glass, that could be bothersome (like sunlight glare on the TV). It'll depend on board placement vs. light placement vs. sitting position.
The reflection of just the pieces are not visually intrusive. However, one caveat would be that I have a chestnut colored table which might mute the reflections.
I have a couple acrylic panels coming in tomorrow with the colors reversed (dark squares painted for a white table). We'll see tomorrow. I'll post some pics.
I'd love to see those pics and I'll also be customer #1 if you decide to make these for buyers. I need a new board and would love to go this route if possible.
Thanks,
Ted
Okay, so I got the two acrylic (not glass) panels in. My short comment on this experiment is:
Don't Do It.
Longer comments to follow after the pics.
At the risk of answering questions that weren't asked I'll proceed on the assumption that some members will find the following info useful on making their own boards.
Glass vs. Acrylic
Acrylic does have a few benefits over glass. It doesn't carry the risk of shattering, it's tint free and completely clear (although glass can be made that way as well); it's lighter in weight than glass if portability is important; it has more options for manipulability and molding. If these are key and uncompromisable factors, then acrylic is for you.
That said, acrylic is not for me. My best guess is that this will also apply to most people interested in a clear chessboard.
1. It scratches
In my research I recall there being some sort of scratch resistant form of acrylic available. In any case, I couldn’t get that option for my boards and glass would likely still outperform.
2. It warps
One of the two panels have corners that turn up and that makes the board wobbly. Why don’t you just return the board and have them do it correctly, one might wonder. That’s precisely what you should do if you have one made. Just keep in mind that this is an issue with acrylic, but not with glass.
3. It isn't furniture
It feels like plastic because it is plastic. Having glass on the table makes it seamless as if it’s part of your existing living room furniture. The acrylic might look alright, but it doesn’t feel alright. I think an appropriate comparison is an iPhone screen (glass) vs. other screens (plastic). The light weight on a mobile phone might justify plastic over glass, but in the context of a chessboard in the living room, I think not.
4. Price
I paid roughly $75 per acrylic panel. Maybe if I’d spent a little more to work out the flaws, it’d cost roughly the same as glass. Still, glass is the superior product.
Conclusion
Acrylic is no good for the living room. The red and white version above might be suitable for the patio, however.
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Wow! :-D