The pieces are these (must have sold out between me ordering yesterday morning and today) - https://www.chessbaron.co.uk/product/M6009/
Value wise, they seem to be phenomenal.
I must say, I was looking to spend circa £50/60 on a veneer board, but ended up dropping £99 on this one - https://www.chessbaron.co.uk/product/B1003/
It's quite a bit lighter than the photo on their website suggests.
Are little imperfections quite common on solid wood boards?
I figured I'd rather have a solid board at £99 than a veneer board at £60 - But I'm not sure I'd notice much difference to be honest (and maybe the veneer board would have a more perfect appearance).
The gap is filled in. This is not a higher priced board so little things like this are common. If the board cost 200 instead of 100, you could expect and demand better.
The apparent dent and scratching on the corner edge is another thing though. That is a problem in handling or shipping. If they exchanged the board the dent and scratch should not be there.
Ah nice!
I think I'm likely going to keep it.
1. Stock worldwide seems non existent and 2. I've not seen any other solid wood boards that come close to the price.
Plus, 18" board with almost 2" squares is absolutely perfect for the space it's going!
Like you, my perfectionism is the only thing holding me back!
You could always apply your own polyurethane finish. I bet that would improve the scratches issue. I did that with an inexpensive wood tournament board I bought from House of Staunton and it definitely improved some blemishes that were bothering me.
You could also use a magic marker for the scratches---tends to work well. Just find one with as close to the color of the board as you can and test it out on the underside of the board.
You could always apply your own polyurethane finish. I bet that would improve the scratches issue. I did that with an inexpensive wood tournament board I bought from House of Staunton and it definitely improved some blemishes that were bothering me.
You could also use a magic marker for the scratches---tends to work well. Just find one with as close to the color of the board as you can and test it out on the underside of the board.
Thanks!
I guess it was more a case of speaking to people who have much more experience with wooden boards, and seeing if this was pretty common (if so, I'm less fussed).
If it was a case of "Oh wow, that isn't right" - I'd send it back.
Lastly, is that small gap commonplace (I think it is from reading around)?
Especially on a board that is solid wood and £99 (the lower end of the solid wood boards).
I recently purchased an 18" (2.25 square), frameless, walnut and maple solid wood board from a woodworker on Etsy. Straight out of the box it was warped. It literally wobbled every time I moved a piece. It took 3 stacked pennies in the corner to even it out. Completely unacceptable for a new $150 board. I sent it right back for a full refund on his dime. I'm hesitant to buy another solid wood board.
£99 is about $130 USD. That's not exactly cheap. While I would expect a board to develop dings and scuffs over time through usage. I don't expect it to arrive to me "new" with dings and scuffs already there to begin with. They are minor though. And personally, I'd just be glad it lays flat! The next board may not be so fortunate. If it was me, I'd be 50/50 on whether or not to exchange the board. Shipping a board is about $25 USD. Hmmm... 52/48 in favor of keeping the board. 
And that's only if they pay for shipping. If it's on your dime? Keep it 100%
I recently purchased an 18" (2.25 square), frameless, walnut and maple solid wood board from a woodworker on Etsy. Straight out of the box it was warped. It literally wobbled every time I moved a piece. It took 3 stacked pennies in the corner to even it out. Completely unacceptable for a new $150 board. I sent it right back for a full refund on his dime. I'm hesitant to buy another solid wood board.
£99 is about $130 USD. That's not exactly cheap. While I would expect a board to develop dings and scuffs over time through usage. I don't expect it to arrive to me "new" with dings and scuffs already there to begin with. They are minor though. And personally, I'd just be glad it lays flat! The next board may not be so fortunate. If it was me, I'd be 50/50 on whether or not to exchange the board. Shipping a board is about $25 USD. Hmmm... 52/48 in favor of keeping the board. And that's only if they pay for shipping. If it's on your dime? Keep it 100%
Ha, similar thought process to what I went through.
My biggest fear is that any replacement would actually be worse. This one is rock solid with a few very minor "issues" that I've tried to highlight as much as possible (the scratches are much harder to see in person, but when examining it from head to toe, it's noticeable).
The fact the colour and pattern match the pieces so well, I'm far more inclined to keep it (and likely will).
My question was to try and take advantage of others who have seen many wooden boards in their time. If "close to perfection" was the norm for wooden boards at this price, I'd maybe think twice!
Every time you play a game on that board, rub that corner scuff with your thumb for good luck. It's a feature! 
At what price should one expect an unmarked board ?
That ding would bother me but I am ocd when it comes to chess equipment for some reason.
The Chess pieces are American Staunton patterned. Also goes by Atlantic Series by some vendors. A step up from the German Knight and French Lardy sets as far as detail. I do like the set except for the Rooks are too small. Just a personal preference. Not a bad price but there is another option to get it from chessgamesshop.com However I believe that it is in Ebonized Boxwood for around €40 - €50.
The Chess pieces are American Staunton patterned. Also goes by Atlantic Series by some vendors. A step up from the German Knight and French Lardy sets as far as detail. I do like the set except for the Rooks are too small. Just a personal preference. Not a bad price but there is another option to get it from chessgamesshop.com However I believe that it is in Ebonized Boxwood for around €40 - €50.
Yeah, I looked around everywhere for the pieces.
My criteria was:
* Weighty (King is 70g)
* Made in India was a bonus
* King - 3.75” or bigger
* Colour preference was for a rich brown and subtle white
I’m really happy with the pieces - They tick all the boxes for me, and at £79 were very well priced.
The board..... Well, it matches the pieces perfectly, and despite wanting perfection, seems that it’s probably not a bad board at all (and alternatives may be worse).
I like the weight and size of the board is perfect. If I lived close to the store, I’d probably have a look at swapping it. But only because I like things perfect.
I belive it was from a site called Librum games, it was litterly the only place I could find where it was in stock and a good price.
I could not be happier. I have a few detailed photos that I took for someone else who was interested if you want? Honestly, I am really fussy and even slight changes in grain of wood can cause me to kick up a storm ha.
Best board I ever purchased!
Apparantly out of stock but they are available in other places, including eBay for simular prices.
Here you go...
Yes I just replied. Would love to know if there are any good alternatives, I have learnt that LCB are indeed expensive.
You have nothing for DGT in the UK at all?
These are good prices. I was going to go overseas until I spotted Librum...
https://chessgamesshop.com/index.php?c=30&p=111471
https://www.newinchess.com/dgt-walnut-chess-board-non-electronic
Hey all.
New to seriously looking at Chess (learnt as a kid, but didn't do much with it).
Just bought a new board and pieces from Chess Baron in the UK (side note, absolutely wonderful company/man to deal with).
Now, I'm a perfectionist with things I buy, but I appreciate this is a little different as it's natural material and I'm not spending £500 on the board......
But I just wondered if this was par for the course with solid wooden boards?
Mark’s are amplified a little by the photo - Can’t see it as much if you are just sitting and playing.
Same for the “gap”, which isn’t actually a gap (it’s filled). From normal viewing distance, it’s there, but not as obvious as the photo.
There was a slight issue with the White Rook, but that’s fixed.
Other than that, I absolutely love the pieces and the board, but would be interested to know what your take on it was.
Chess Baron offered an immediate refund if I wanted to send it back, but implied the others would be the same so wouldn’t swap it.
Here is the set (pieces £79 - 3.75” King). Board - Solid Wood 18” with 1.97” squares.