turning checkers game to a chess game

Some time ago, an old checkers game+ backgammon (jeu de jacquet) came into my hands. I don't really like checkers, it doesn't stimulate my imagination enough. Imagination, I sometimes have too much, and some will tell you that I'm crazy, or weird. The truth is I feel weird, is it normal doctor? So in my disturbed mind this idea sprouted, and since I like working with leather, of course there was going to be leather in this. So I turned it to a chess game + backgammon.

the rest in picts.

I had a very old leather, since a while. The idea was not to make something resembling new, but rather an object that could have existed in 1920 or 1960 see? so this leather with imperfections... was perfect! (perfection need some imperfections)

It was possible to make the chess game larger, with larger squares. But I wanted to be able to express myself, and try to do something unique, and pretty if possible.

After a loooot of effort and hours working on it, the chessboard was finished.

(Here with a chavet n°1)

But I wasn't convicted this Chavet set look good on it. I think this chessboard needed something older, more rustic. What do you think?

Muchas gracias! Yes, this helps a lot

I think this is stunning. Great job - creative and functional. I think the Chavet pieces look fine but I can also see a Regence set … indeed any old set will be magic. Great stuff and thanks for posting.👍

Thank's for appreciate! Yes a Regence set will be possible, il let you see my choice later.

First I continue this topic. So into the box it was a backgammon game, but ilt was not felt, only a print paper, and worms had done some damage.. So I continued with the same leather.


It doesn't seem so, but backgammon took me longer work than the chessboard, and above all it was more painful because it was very repetitive.
What was the scariest was doing the dyeing. Because if you mess up, or if you spill a pot, you can imagine the disaster and the hours wasted. But everything went well! I was lucky after having finished making it, to find a leather cup with its bone dice in a flea market. It's probably very old, and I hope it's not human bone, but who knows!

 The tokens were with the game, I don't find them perfect. I think they are boxwood, I just cleaned them, re-stained the black ones.
The cup and these dice are perfectly matched with this game!

Amazing transformation. 👍Back to the the chess set … a coffee house variant would be lovely too. 

Beautiful work.. thank you for sharing. I could imagine red and white bone sets/ivory sets on this. Leather has the advantage over wood that it yields a little when a piece drops.

Thank you!

Thank's ! Yes this is a possibility!

Thank's! Yes it's right, leather have vis advantage, the chess set dont need to be felted because leather is "softer".

So I was meaning about which chess set was the best for this chessboard. I tried a Lardy n°2 on it, but I wasn't convinced. I love Lardy sets, but I thought a regency might work better.

Then, I discovered, thanks to this forum,(thank's to Powderdigit ) the sets with “dogface” knights , and finaly I had later the opportunity to purchase one.
When I received the set, it was complete, boxed.
I asked the seller for the origins of the set, but he could only say me it was property of an old man who had some others chess sets. I suposed this man passed away.. (RIP sir..) I think it's something old, but no idea if it's a 1970' or older set. If any one have an idea... I'm pretty sure it's boxwood, probably made in France, Jura? If anyone here can contribute their knowledge, I'm very interested!

So this is the set:

The two white knights needed to be glued. With white glue,for the wood, please, never with neoprene! for the rest, I only cleaned and waxed them.

Il like so mutch these dogface knights. ♥♥

chess set on board!

This chess set is nothing very precious, but someting antique, and so charming! What do you think about?

Has this set found its new home?

Magnifique !

Beautiful work JLT! Was the checkerboard top also made of felt (hard to tell in the photos)? And what kind of glue did you use to fasten the leather to the top/bottom?

Merci!

Thank's!

The backgammon game was not made of felt, it was print paper. The checkerboard was printed on wood. I think it was something "cheap" pehaps on the 60's or70's, it's also why I had no remorse turning it this way

edit: I used neoprene glue.

Kudos on the craftsmanship! My wife and I play four games of backgammon everyday right after lunch so, the leather board looks very inviting.

Another wonderful thread showing an excellent transformation and a superb combination of pieces with the board.

I am not sure your motivation but for me it’s not about monetary return when I refurbish a board or find some vintage pieces - rather in the end, I have the satisfaction of seeing the results of my work, giving something a new sparkle and then having something relatively rare - if not unique - and all at a reasonable price too.

Your skills with leather take this to another level. 👍

Thank's ! Yes it is , we play sometimes on this leather backgammond with my wife, and yes, it's very pleaseant! I prefer chess, but my wife don't play :/