How to Choose a Chess Board (Size & Material Guide)

To choose a chessboard, start with size: match your pieces to the appropriate sized squares (most tournament style setups are with squares measuring about 50-55 mm and kings measuring about 3.5-3.75 inches). Next, select material to suit your budget and game, solid wood or veneered wood for playing at home or in tournaments; MDF/wood that can be folded for storage. Finally, make a choice feature (coordinate, foldable or flat, border style, matte or gloss) and contrast that makes light/dark boxes and pieces easy to read.

Introduction: Why Making the Right Choice is Important

A “bad” board is beautiful, but will give you trouble when playing it—squares that are too small to fit your king, glare that covers the diagonals, or a shiny finish that reflects all the lights. The right board makes your cuts, spaces, and routines fit so your eyes relax and your plans get better. You may need them later, while you are still choosing a complete set: How to set up a chess set (our step by step onboarding guide)

Main criteria (size, material, price, level)

1) Perfect size & cut

• Take your king height and choose a square measure. As a rule of expediency: board 50-55mm rectangle match Kings 3.5-3.75 inches (tournament style). If you want a smaller footprint in your home, a 45mm box can be used with smaller/”studio” pieces.

• Measure you desk space (board footprint) and whether you will leave it blank or save it between games.

2) Materials & building

• Solid wood/veneer (walnut, maple, ebony, sycamore): traditional, strong feel, great contrast..

• MDF/engineered wood with veneer: stable, cheap price, often used in folding boards/home edition.

• Finish: matte/satin reduces glare; the shine is amazing but it reflects light.

3) Style & features

• Flat/folding: folding board can be easily stored; flat boards are completely rigid.

• Coordinate (optional) helps beginners to keep track of lessons and log games.

• Border design: in some contemporary councils (eg Bauhaus) the borders are reduced or eliminated to give a clean, geometric appearance.

4) Budget & rate

• Home/Travel Use: The price of MDF/veneer or folding wooden boards is affordable.

• Clubs/tournaments and displays: high-grade wood (usually walnut/maple, sometimes ebony) made to championship standards.

Chess Board Recommendations from the World Chess Store

In addition to our suggestions, you will always have the opportunity to get other suggestions chessboard in a style that you like or in a style that suits your work.

1. Official World Chess Premium Board — ideal when setting up featured tournaments (ebony/maple/acacia; championship specifications).
   

2. Traditional Walnut & Maple Planks (2.25″ square) — standard appearance and full tournament size; manufactured in Spain with satin veneer.
   

   

3. Official World Chess Walnut Council (box 50×50 mm) — clean championship geometry and good contrast; formal pieces paired with it.
   

   

4. Official Folding Chess Board (45 mm square) — Spanish-made compact boards made of walnut and sycamore; a great choice if you save the board between games.
   

   

5. World Chess Cabinet Board with Drawers (5×5 cm box) — board + hidden compartment; ideal when you need everything in one neat space.
   

   

6. Home Edition Board in Walnut (45×45 cm; 4.5 cm square) — everyday play and study boards made of smooth MDF/veneer.
   

   

7. Home Edition Board in Black and White (4.5 cm square) — Bold, high-contrast displays that make positions instantly readable.
   

   

8. Home Edition Bauhaus Board — minimal and light design; A contemporary design statement for use at home or in the studio.
   

   

Need a complete starter system, not just a board? Check out our guide to Chess set for beginners.

Types of chess boards (at a glance)

Chess boards are not all the same. This quick overview will help you compare and contrast the most popular boards, what they do best, what they do best, and what to avoid, so you can find the right board that fits your room, budget, and playing preferences.

Wood (solid or veneered)

Best in the: home and club games, exhibitions.
Profit: vintage touch, strong, high contrast; completes the Staunton cut.
Attention: shiny; heavy finishes may reflect bright light.

Folded wood / MDF + veneer

Best in: small area, easy to store.
Profit: small, stable, generally matte; cheap.
Attention: pay attention to the quality and alignment of the mind hinges to ensure the seams are even.

Vinyl roll

Best for: travel, school/club supplies, analysis boards.
Profit: very portable, cost effective, coordinates often included.
Attention: utilitarian appearance; can fold if not stored properly.

Silicone roll

Best for: rugged portability.
Profit: flat, no wrinkles, washable.
Attention: collect dust; not classic like wood.

Plastic (rigid)

Best for: home usage budget.
Profit: strong, wiping, and stable contrast.
Attention: may be shiny; check the anti-slip feet.

Magnetic/travel

Best in: plane, car, analysis on the go.
Profit: the pieces are preserved; small footprints.
Attention: small squares do not allow visualization of long sessions.

Glass/marble/stone

Best in: centerpiece.
Profit: Impressive design, seriousness.
Attention: glare, slippery surfaces, and chips- better displayed than played with every day.

Electronic/smart board

Best in: recorded games, played online with real cuts.
Profit: transfer between notes, links with applications; excellent training record.
Attention: increased costs; ensure application/device compatibility.

Quick selection rules: To get one board that can be used in most sets, buy a wooden board made of walnut/maple, 50-55 mm square (fits a King 3.5-3.75 inches), matte/satin finish, and good light-dark contrast.

Care & maintenance tips

• Delete And speeding with a soft dry microfiber cloth after playing; on wood/veneer, wipe with a damp cloth, dry immediately.

• Do not expose it to heat/sun and excessive changes in humidity; remains flat (board folds closed).

• Take care of the surface: avoid piling heavy items on top of it; lay the bottom piece of felt; avoid placing liquids.

• When working with glossy finishes: use a soft cloth without abrasion, to prevent scratching the hairline.

FAQ How to Choose a Chess Board

How to distinguish a quality chessboard?

Check for square footage, solid hardwood/veneer, flat (not warped), non-glare finish and board tread that fits your cut. Championship quality boards (such as World Chess Premium and Walnut boards) are a good standard.

How to choose a good chess board?

Square size according to your cut (general “tournament style” utility 50-55 mm square with king 3.5-3.75 inches), then determine what materials and features to add that fit your budget and space.

Is a 20″ chessboard too big?

It depends on your table and cut. With wood boards, many tournament style boards are approx 22-23 inches with 2.25 inches (57 mm) square; That Traditional Chess Board perfectly fits these dimensions. Smaller tables, or studio-sized pieces, have them 45 mm square boards to maintain a small footprint.

Which chessboard size is best?

Most players use the surrounding box 50-55mm with a 3.5-3.75 inch high king; smaller squares known as “studio” cuts fit 45 mm squares.

What chess board is used in tournaments?

Elite boards are made for championship/tournament standards like World Chess Premium Board and Walnut Board and is used with official championship pieces.

In short

The first step is to match the board to your pieces (square size to king height) and then choose a material and finish that suits your playing style and where you will store them. Only add the features you need: folds to store, coordinates to study, matte for glare-free reading. If you’re not sure, a walnut/maple board with a 50-55mm square is a safe, tournament-style board that fits most standard sets and is very pleasing to the eye in the home.

Related reading