Selecting Chess Boards Easily By Square Size
The Chess Board square size varies greatly. It is difficult sometimes to figure out how to pick a matching board for a chess piece, and the square size can be the determining factor. The chess piece needs to fit on the square itself and not overlap into another square. This sounds like a simple enough rule, but it can get overlooked. You cannot play a chess board game if you do not know which square the piece is on. The square is exactly a square. If the description says 2 inch square, it means each side of that square is 2 inches long.
There are two methods in determining a match for the chess piece and chess board square. One is to know the whether the King size is small or large. There are many chessmen sizes and most commonly they are categorized according to the description of its size.
As a general rule if the King size is small, use a square size that is less than 2 inches. A chessboard square size that works well with the smaller chessmen is 1 ½ inches. There are smaller chess board squares, but those are used in travel chess sets or miniature chess sets. To make that an easier decision, all travel chess sets come with their own board and usually a case.
In the larger chessmen, the King measures 4 ½ inches. There are exceptions but that is the basic measurement. The 4 ½ inch King will fit well on a 2 ¼ inch square. Chessboard squares that are 2 ¾ inches will be the correct size for a 6 inch King piece. Federal specifications for chess tournament competition: 3 ¾ inch King and a 20 inch square chess board with square sizes that are 2 ¼ inch.
Using the diameter of the base of the King piece is the second method to match a chess piece to a chess board square. Make certain that the chess piece will fit on a particular size of a square. The base diameters for most of the chessmen are standardized and you may not need to know the diameter, only the size of the King. If you find a chess base diameter listed in the description of the piece then of course use that size to find a chessboard match. The base size refers to the Kings base diameter.
Custom made chess pieces have their chess boards manufactured to match. Stone chessmen and boards are made from the same stone so they have the same colors in them. It is a beauty to see the matching stone colors. Alabaster stone has a unique color scheme; marble has its unique marbling pattern and color. Onyx is beautifully hand carved so that each chess piece is unique. You will not have to try to match these more decorative chess sets, the decision is already made. Many people enjoy this convenience and would prefer having the set match rather than trying to match color from stone to stone. Garden chess sets also have boards to match. In fact, chess figurines are the only ones that do not come with a chess board because they have no chessmen. They can be used for décor or paper weights, or even book ends and make great gifts and office décor too.
You will enjoy the look of a chess piece that fits well within the square it is sitting on so that you can see the borders of that square. There are 8 squares by 8 squares on a chessboard, so it is better to have the chess players a little smaller than the square for good visibility. Chess boards are usually suggested for chess pieces, but in case they are not, use this process to determine a good chess set match.
Debra has written several Chess related articles and can be found on Ezine Articles, MarbleChessBoard's Blog and Squidoo. She has a variety of interests and enjoys learning more about Chess and sharing Chess Home Decor and Critical Thinking articles and blogs. She uses her RN experience as well as a myriad of life experiences including home schooling her own children as resources for her writings. She has a BS degree in Nursing and loves learning.
