When it comes to tabletop gaming, quality makes all the difference between a forgettable experience and a cherished tradition. Whether you’re a seasoned tournament player or someone who enjoys casual games with family, investing in the right backgammon set or chess board can transform your gaming sessions. Today, we’ll explore what separates exceptional gaming equipment from the merely adequate, with a special focus on the features that define premium chess boards while also touching on their backgammon counterparts.
The Timeless Appeal of Quality Gaming Sets
Walking into a room and spotting a beautiful chess or backgammon set creates an immediate impression. These games aren’t just pastimes—they’re connections to centuries of strategic thinking, social interaction, and artistic craftsmanship. A high-quality set doesn’t merely serve its function; it becomes an heirloom, a conversation piece, and a statement about the owner’s appreciation for the finer things in life.
The market offers an overwhelming array of options, from plastic tournament sets that prioritize functionality to luxurious hand-carved masterpieces that double as works of art. Understanding what separates the exceptional from the ordinary helps ensure your investment brings joy for years—perhaps even generations—to come.
Materials Matter: The Foundation of Quality
The first indicator of a premium chess board is the material from which it’s crafted. While inexpensive sets typically use plastic or composite materials, high-quality boards embrace natural substances that offer both beauty and durability.
Wood selection stands as perhaps the most critical material decision. Fine chess boards often feature hardwoods like:
• Maple: Prized for its light color and smooth grain, maple provides excellent contrast for dark squares
• Walnut: Rich brown tones with distinctive grain patterns make walnut a favorite for premium boards
• Rosewood: Its reddish-brown color deepens beautifully with age, developing a rich patina
• Ebony: Exceptionally dense and dark, genuine ebony represents the pinnacle of luxury for dark squares
• Mahogany: Known for its reddish-brown hue and exceptional stability over time
Beyond the variety, the quality of the wood itself matters tremendously. Premium boards use properly dried and seasoned wood, minimizing the risk of warping or cracking over time. The finest manufacturers select wood with consistent grain patterns and coloration, creating a harmonious visual experience.
For backgammon enthusiasts, similar considerations apply, though the playing surface requirements differ. Quality backgammon boards often feature inlaid wood points rather than painted surfaces, ensuring the design won’t fade or chip with extended play.
Craftsmanship: Where Art Meets Function
While materials provide the foundation, it’s the craftsmanship that transforms raw components into exceptional gaming equipment. High-quality chess and backgammon sets reveal their excellence through numerous details that casual observers might miss but experienced players immediately recognize.
Joinery techniques represent a fundamental aspect of fine woodworking. Premium chess boards employ methods like:
• Dovetail joints: These interlocking components create exceptionally strong connections between board sections
• Splined miters: Hidden reinforcements strengthen corner joints while maintaining clean visual lines
• Mortise and tenon construction: Used for frames and supporting structures to ensure long-term stability
The square construction of a chess board seems simple but demands precision. Each square must be perfectly sized and aligned, creating an absolutely level playing surface. In tournament-quality boards, squares typically measure between 2 and 2.25 inches, providing comfortable space for standard pieces without creating an unwieldy overall size.
The finish quality reveals much about a board’s overall craftsmanship. Premium chess boards feature multiple layers of hand-applied finishes—often shellac, lacquer, or oil—that enhance the wood’s natural beauty while providing protection. The surface should feel smooth yet have sufficient friction to prevent pieces from sliding unexpectedly. Satin or semi-gloss finishes typically strike this balance best, avoiding the excessive shininess that can create distracting glare.
For backgammon sets, the precision of the point construction requires similar attention to detail. Each triangular point must be exactly the same size as its counterparts, with clean, crisp edges that guide checkers into position. The finest backgammon boards feature inlaid points rather than painted or printed designs, ensuring longevity and tactile quality.
The Chess Pieces: Completing the Experience
While the board creates the stage, chess pieces perform the drama. Quality chess sets integrate seamlessly with their boards, creating a cohesive aesthetic and tactile experience.
Material selection for chess pieces follows similar principles as the board itself. Common options include:
• Boxwood: Traditionally used for white pieces, offering excellent carving detail and pleasant weight
• Ebonized boxwood: Stained boxwood creates more affordable dark pieces with similar properties to their light counterparts
• Genuine ebony: The ultimate luxury for black pieces, offering natural darkness and exceptional density
• Rosewood: Rich reddish-brown alternative for dark pieces with distinctive grain patterns
• Bone or horn: Natural materials sometimes used in artisanal sets, often combined with wood
The weight and balance of chess pieces significantly impact gameplay. Quality pieces have weighted bases—typically with lead or steel inserts—providing stability during play. The center of gravity should sit low in each piece, preventing tipping even on minor surface irregularities. When you hold a premium chess piece, it should feel substantial but not cumbersome.
Design proportions follow time-tested standards in fine chess sets. The king’s height typically ranges from 3.75 to 4.25 inches for boards with 2-inch squares, with other pieces sized proportionally. The Staunton pattern, developed in 1849, remains the gold standard for tournament play, though artistic sets may feature historical or themed designs.
The felt or leather base pads on chess pieces provide both practical and aesthetic benefits. These soft bottoms protect the board from scratches while dampening the sound of pieces being placed. In premium sets, these pads are meticulously cut and attached, with no visible adhesive or uneven edges.
Backgammon Specific Considerations
While chess boards focus on square precision, backgammon sets have their own quality indicators. The playing surface requires equally precise construction but with different priorities.
The backgammon board hinges represent a critical component, as most quality sets fold for storage and transport. Premium hinges operate smoothly and lie completely flat when open, creating a seamless playing surface. Look for reinforced attachment points that won’t loosen over time.
Checker quality follows similar principles as chess pieces. They should have comfortable weight, consistent sizing, and smooth edges that stack securely. Traditional materials include bakelite, acrylic, or natural materials like onyx for luxury sets.
The dice cups (or shakers) reveal much about a backgammon set’s overall quality. Premium sets feature leather-lined interiors that minimize noise while providing enough texture to properly randomize the dice. The cup’s mouth should be wide enough for comfortable dice retrieval but narrow enough to prevent accidental spills.
Quality backgammon sets include precision dice with sharp edges and perfectly centered pips (dots). Tournament-grade dice have exactly the same dimensions on all sides, ensuring truly random results. Some luxury sets include precision machined dice made from materials matching the checkers.
Storage and Presentation: The Complete Package
How a chess or backgammon set stores its components speaks volumes about its overall quality. Premium sets offer solutions that protect the pieces while enhancing the aesthetic experience.
Dedicated storage compartments should fit each piece precisely, preventing movement during transport. High-quality chess and backgammon sets often feature velvet or felt-lined compartments that protect delicate pieces from scratches and cushion them against impacts.
For chess boards, closing mechanisms should operate smoothly and securely. Magnetic closures provide elegant solutions, while quality latches offer more security for transported sets. The finest folding chess boards close without gaps and align perfectly when opened.
Backgammon sets typically feature more complex closure systems, as they must secure not only the playing pieces but also dice, cups, and doubling cubes. Premium clasps should operate smoothly while holding securely even when the case is carried by its handle.
The exterior presentation completes the package. Whether wood, leather, or other premium materials, the outside of the set should reflect the quality within. Consistent finishing, clean joinery, and attention to detail on external surfaces indicate thoroughness in construction.
The Investment Perspective
Quality chess and backgammon sets represent more than purchases—they’re investments in both enjoyment and potential value appreciation.
Initial cost varies tremendously based on materials, craftsmanship, and brand reputation. Entry-level quality wood chess boards might start around $150, while museum-quality handcrafted sets from renowned makers can command thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Backgammon sets follow similar pricing patterns, with premium materials and craftsmanship commanding higher prices.
The longevity factor justifies the investment for many buyers. While a plastic tournament set might need replacement every few years, a properly maintained wooden chess or backgammon set can last generations. This extended lifespan effectively amortizes the initial cost over decades of use.
Some premium chess and backgammon sets also offer appreciation potential. Sets from renowned makers like Jaques of London, House of Staunton, or Geoffrey Parker often retain or increase their value over time, particularly limited editions or those with historical significance. While not every expensive set will appreciate, those combining exceptional craftsmanship with brand prestige often become collectible.
Making Your Selection: Practical Considerations
When selecting a quality chess board or backgammon set, consider how it will actually be used in your life.
Your playing environment significantly impacts which features matter most. Sets used in homes with climate control can safely utilize more sensitive materials like certain exotic woods, while those for vacation homes or outdoor use might prioritize stability in changing conditions.
Consider your transportation needs realistically. Tournament players need sets that combine quality with portability, perhaps sacrificing some aesthetic details for durability during frequent travel. Home players might prioritize visual impact over mobility.
The players themselves matter too. Sets used primarily by adults might feature delicate details and premium materials, while those for family use with children might prioritize durability and stability. Some manufacturers offer “family grade” premium sets with these considerations in mind.
Aesthetic integration with your home environment deserves consideration. A chess or backgammon set often becomes a decorative element when not in use. Consider whether you prefer a statement piece that draws attention or something that harmonizes with existing decor.
Caring for Your Investment
Proper maintenance ensures your quality chess or backgammon set provides enjoyment for generations.
Climate considerations matter tremendously for wooden boards and pieces. Maintain relatively consistent humidity (around 40-60%) and avoid placing sets near heating vents, fireplaces, or in direct sunlight. Wood continues to respond to environmental changes even years after manufacturing.
Regular cleaning and polishing keeps sets looking their best. Use soft cloths for dusting, and apply appropriate wood care products recommended by the manufacturer. For chess pieces and backgammon checkers, handle with clean hands to prevent oils and dirt from accumulating.
Proper storage between uses preserves both functionality and appearance. Store boards flat rather than on edge to prevent warping, and keep pieces in their dedicated compartments to avoid scratches and damage.
When displaying your set, consider placement carefully. While chess and backgammon sets make beautiful decorative elements, positioning them away from high-traffic areas reduces the risk of accidental damage.
Conclusion: The Lasting Value of Quality
The difference between an ordinary chess board or backgammon set and an exceptional one extends far beyond mere appearance. The finest sets combine thoughtful material selection, meticulous craftsmanship, and attention to functional details that enhance the playing experience.
Whether you’re selecting your first quality set or adding to a collection, understanding these distinguishing characteristics helps ensure your investment brings satisfaction for years to come. Remember that the best set isn’t necessarily the most expensive, but rather the one that best balances quality, aesthetics, and suitability for your specific playing needs.
A truly exceptional backgammon set transcends its role as game equipment to become something more meaningful—a companion for countless hours of strategic thinking, social connection, and appreciation of craftsmanship. Choose wisely, care for it properly, and your set may well become a cherished tradition passed through generations, carrying with it the stories of games played and moments shared around the timeless squares and points of these beloved games.
