new mousepads boards at American Chess Equipment

My personal preference is to have no logo, and even no notation letters or numbers on the board.  The reason is when I look at the board, by itself, I want it visually clean.  During play however, they do not bother me in the least bit.

On boards that I spend more money, like wood, I have it completely logo and letters and numbers free.

On cheaply priced boards, under $30, I will accept a board with a logo and all that if the board is of a desirable color.  In this instance, that army green color is really nice.  The logo is not too big or of wild coloring.  This is why I bought and like this board.

We can make wishes now? Awesome!

When it comes to visual appearance, I agree with @Eyechess: No logos or coordinates, please. I’ll never buy a board with a visible logo. If you need to put a logo somewhere, put it on the backside of the board. Coordinates I can tolerate if necessary, but I like the board much better without them.

Colors: Brown dark squares, white or very light brown light squares. No borders between the squares, but a small border around the board is acceptable (but by no means necessary).

Material: My ideal portable board would be a silicone board, but with some kind of anti-static low-friction coating (why doesn’t something like this exist already?). If I can’t have that, give me a vinyl board.

Some people find logos distracting....others don't mind them.  Some like specific colors, some dislike those same colors.   Some don't want lines bordering the squares, others don't care.  Some prefer vinyl boards, others prefer silicone.  These are all called personal preferences.  It's what makes the world go round.  Is the concept difficult to grasp?

Wow, @RussBell, I'm sorry to have touched a nerve. I thought this was a discussion, you know, a back and forth dialogue. Did you see how QtoQlevel3 and EyeChess responded? They answered the question with remarkably civil answers.

Yes, I understand how people like different things and they're entitled to those preferences. The curiosity lies in why people choose one thing over another. It's just like asking someone why they did or did not like that movie, or song, or book. It's not an attack, it's a question. No big deal. If you don't want to answer, don't. But there's no need to be bitter and condescending. Okay? The internet has enough of that.

My post was in response to your apparent inability to understand why people would have differing opinions of what they like and dislike....nothing more than that.  That is, if as you say, you "understand how people like different things and they are entitled to those preferences.", why would you need to have them explain or justify their preferences any further to you.

My remarks are neither civil nor uncivil.....they're simply a commentary, a perspective, on your post, just as this is.....

A good number of years ago, our local not for profit ran a state elementary championship.  This was before I moved to the area. (Understand that over 90% of the time they all come to me for equipment decisions and purchases as I get the best product for the best price.)

Well they had vinyl boards that were navy blue and white.  The tournament information was printed on the sides of the board as well as the notation letters and numbers.  And they also had a logo on the h1 square.  There still are a number of boards in our club and one guy will bring one out every now and then.  The board is hideous.

However, you still will see people playing on them as a few of the boards are part of our club equipment.  Since I always bring my nice stuff, I never play on one of those boards.

The point is that there are different tastes and tolerances.  As ChessAuthor pointed out the National Open had boards with all kind of things on them.  By the way, those were provided by Shelby.  I believe they were his mousepad boards with the wood grain coloring.

I also wonder, along with ChessAuthor specifically what some people find wrong with all logos on the square(s).  The pieces, usually Rooks, cover most or all of the logo when on the square.  And as the game progresses, the players usually lose sight of the individual piece and square details.  Instead they end up looking at the position.  As long as the pieces and squares have good contrast, there is no problem.

I bought the Olive colored FlexPad board from The Chess House to see how it worked.  The Olive color is quite light when looking at the board.  Shelby's Army Green looks much better.  I still need to put pieces on both boards to see how they really look and work.

Of course, the standard for me is still the Green FlexPad board from the Chess House.  And now they have that color board with no notation markings, only the board squares with a thin border around the whole playing area.

I wonder why people wonder why people care or don't care for various aspects, qualities of chess boards, chess pieces etc.  The answer is that, in the end, it simply boils down to personal preference.  I for one have no need for anyone to explain or justify their personal preferences to me, particularly when those preferences are simply that, and imply no harm or infringement on the rights of others to have differing opinions or preferences.  Wondering about all of this a waste of energy, an exercise in irrelevance.

Well, there might be a good reason for this wondering.  For instance we might find specific things that could be changed to improve acceptance and sales.  You know, this would fall under the category of Marketing 101.

Also no one is forcing anyone else to answer at all let alone give a specific response.

Yes, this is a discussion forum as well.

After looking at a number of different setups from tournaments and the like, I have noticed that some of the pastels are too light and perhaps bright for a game of slow Chess.  At least the majority of colors are more muted and pastoral.

Some of what you say sounds reasonable.  However, when someone expresses the opinion that they don't care for a color, or a logo on a square, why not accept that they simply don't care for it.  Why continue to beat a simple statement of preference to death by continuing to wonder and ask them why. 

I don't like logos on squares simply because I don't like logos on squares, and yes I consider them distracting, regardless of anyone else's differing opinion on the matter.  I don't like very dark dark squares for the reasons that I have expressed many times on this and other forum threads - the same goes for my preference for pastels for the dark squares.  Why not just accept that in many cases others do not, and will not agree with you, no matter how much you wonder why or try to convince them otherwise.  And there is no compulsion for them to explain their point of view in order to satisfy your curiosity.

I have played many people from all walks of life during my years and nary one has complained of either the sets or boards I use to play a game chess with them.

The only gripe I've  received  on some occasions was of playing with very small sets (which was a bit of my gripe-I keep analysis sets at home for study), supplied by opponents inviting me to play a game.  Hard to manipulate moves with  those types when playing blitz or not warming up to figurine based or campy styled chess pieces which is a mutual, not too enamored feeling towards those types of sets as well from opponents  I play and myself. .

Most  people I've come across like to play with Standard or close to Standard Staunton based designed sets although some that play seldom, think I have "mooses" or "donkeys" instead of knights for my Romanian tournament sets but that styled set is one of my favorites for rapid timed type games. Just over 2.5 lbs and a pleasure to handle and the board design in general really doesn't affect the pace of play or outcome of the match. The right color square and boarder to pieces contact would be the only real terms of discussion. The algebraic notation and logos whether they're there or not, aren't a big deal for me.  IMHO.

To each his own, live and let live and "C'est La Vie" is what I'd say to the choosing of which style and color of squares board is preferred by players.  Peace fellas. 

For wood-like beautiful mousepad chessboards, i can advise: www.scacchistore.it from Italy for this product https://youtu.be/5H18QKH5GGk

Shipping to Europe by contacting info@scacchistore.it

Thanks but no thanks...

https://amchesseq.com/collections/chess-boards/products/we-games-rosewood-maple-grain-mousepad-chessboard-20-inches-made-in-usa?variant=7197402955834