I like the one with purple squares...not too dark, not too light.....black is too dark - camouflages dark pieces....the pink is attractive, it might appeal more to the feminine of the species....
The good thing is that you are willing to offer color choices beyond those offered by all other chess retailers...it differentiates you....
Are these the Butterman boards? I don't see his offerings on eBay anymore. I have several of his boards.
No, these are not the Butterman boards. Shelby and American Chess Equipment have come out with these boards on their own.
The colors they offer are quite different from the Butterman boards. I actually own boards from both places.
Eyechess: Do the ACE boards use the same print technique as the Butterman boards for the squares?
Shelby -
The more I think about it, as much as I do like the purple, I think it appears to be close to too dark. I think it could afford to be "lightened" a little.
Irrespective of color, it's the contrast, not only between light and dark squares, but also between the squares and the pieces used, that needs to be "balanced". This is most important when it comes to the contrast between the dark squares and the dark pieces. For example, Black, although it provides maximum contrast to the light squares, is not an optimum color for dark squares as it renders the least contrast with dark pieces. So a balance needs to be struck when it comes to the degree of "darkness" of the dark squares. In terms of contrast balance, of the three boards you posted, the pink one is close to perfect (irrespective of the actual color itself), as it contrasts well not only with the light squares, but also with the dark pieces.
Shelby: I want to buy the black one but don't see it on your site. Black goes great with Bud Rosewood.
cghori,
Yes, I am pretty sure we use the same techniques in the printing of the boards.
RussBell - I appreciate your comments. I am in TOTAL agreement with you on this one. The problem is people don't think about balance when you offer off colors on the boards, they just want something that's pretty.
If you want to see some nice balanced ones, check out these:
and
Right?
thanks
Shelby Lohrman
Yes, there are those whose preferences are based on color only....
The green and blue boards are also very nicely balanced in terms of contrast, and the colors are pleasing, easy on the eyes....one should have no problems staring at those board for extended periods...
Good work!
The green and blue ones are also nice, and pass the RussBell contrast balance test!
Those boards will show up pieces nicely 
Doesn't USCF still specify "buff and green" as official tournament board color?
Shelby -
This may be considered a quibble, but I have a reaction to the particular design of these boards which I would like to share with you.
Simply, it is the use of the (vertical and horizontal) lines in the interior of the playing area (not the lines surrounding, and exterior to, the playing area) which separate the squares one from the other, that I find distracting, or disconcerting. Most chess boards do not have these lines inside the playing area. Personally I prefer boards without the interior lines. Food for thought.
Otherwise, in general, I like what you are doing, experimenting with different designs, materials, colors etc. Enough said.
Actually, here are the US Chess Rules regarding the board:
41A. Material. The board must be opaque and fabricated from a smooth material that allows the easy movement of pieces. Satisfactory boards have been made from plastic, wood, paper, cardboard, leather, cloth, and marble. 41B. Color. Like the pieces, chessboard colors should offer high contrast between the light and dark sections yet remain pleasing to the eye. Good combinations include green or brown with ivory or buff, and walnut or teak with maple or birch. The colors and the finish should allow extended examination without eyestrain. Squares that do not exactly match the colors of the pieces are popular because they allow ready distinction between empty and occupied squares. For example, the green and buff vinyl roll-up board sold by USCF and others is the most commonly used at tournaments. Red and black checkerboards are nonstandard.
U.S. Chess Federation. United States Chess Federation's Official Rules of Chess, Sixth Edition (Kindle Locations 4070-4076). Diversified Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Actually, here are the US Chess Rules regarding the board:
41A. Material. The board must be opaque and fabricated from a smooth material that allows the easy movement of pieces. Satisfactory boards have been made from plastic, wood, paper, cardboard, leather, cloth, and marble. 41B. Color. Like the pieces, chessboard colors should offer high contrast between the light and dark sections yet remain pleasing to the eye. Good combinations include green or brown with ivory or buff, and walnut or teak with maple or birch. The colors and the finish should allow extended examination without eyestrain. Squares that do not exactly match the colors of the pieces are popular because they allow ready distinction between empty and occupied squares. For example, the green and buff vinyl roll-up board sold by USCF and others is the most commonly used at tournaments. Red and black checkerboards are nonstandard.
U.S. Chess Federation. United States Chess Federation's Official Rules of Chess, Sixth Edition (Kindle Locations 4070-4076). Diversified Publishing. Kindle Edition.
There are three sentences in this "rule" that contain either the word "must" (first complete sentence in 41A) or "should" (first and third complete sentences in 41B). These are the only three sentences that can be construed as containing a mandate. In fact, legalistically, one could make a distinction between "must", which is generally taken as a mandate, and "should", which is generally taken as a suggestion but not a mandate. The remaining sentences either make suggestions or observations, but do not specify a mandate.
I would say there is a lot of room for interpretation (aka, "loopholes") in this "rule".
Do the pieces slide on these?
Shipping for a single board is pretty high for me, will they only be avilailable exclusively through your site?thanks.
Actually, the pieces do slide on these boards, but...
They do not slide as easily as they do on a vinyl or wood board.
They definitely slide better on these boards than on the silicone ones.
They also slide a lot better on these boards than on a normal mousepad board that has the thicker rubber and also has cotton in the top material. The material on these boards is all polyester compared to the cotton and polyester blend on a regular mousepad board.
Do they slide better than on the Butterman boards? In my experience, there is basically zero difference in the sliding between Butterman boards and a normal mousepad board. Was very disappointed to learn that.
Do they slide better than on the Butterman boards? In my experience, there is basically zero difference in the sliding between Butterman boards and a normal mousepad board. Was very disappointed to learn that.
These boards are the same as the Butterman boards.
I wonder about the bottoms of the pieces you are using or something. Because we have noticed a definite, not large but definite, difference between these boards and the original mousepad types.
I tried a different set on them, and you are right. It does slide a bit better. The set I was using on both has some weird rough felt. I will be repadding it at first opportunity. I'm certainly thankful for mentioning this possibility because for some reason I hadn't considered it.
Hey all, came out with a couple of new boards and would love to get feedback on them from all the informed customers here at Chess.com
These are 1/16" MousePad chess boards in a couple of different colors.
What do you think?
thanks
Shelby