Best board to match with NOJ Dubrovnik Maple & Walnut
Hey, @EvanM14436! If it's a recent acquisition, congratulations! Personally, I'd seek a board with squares between 2" and 2.25", but everyone has different preferences regarding square-to-piece proportions. Below are some of my recommendations (in no particular order):
Wood Boards:
- Drueke No. 63 (2" Squares) or Drueke No.64 (2.25" Squares) via eBay
- ColoradoWoodWorker's offerings via Etsy
- SakisTsiogasWood's offerings via Etsy
- Rechepado Ferrer's offerings via multiple vendors
Mousepad/Vinyl Boards:
- Shelby Lohrman's offerings via American Chess Equipment or direct contact via these forums (@ShelbyLohrman)
- Raphael Neff's offerings via Chess House or direct contact via these forums (@chesshouse)
Another congratulations on a wonderful acquisition, in the Noj gem of a chess set you have there!
I'd also go with a Classic Drueke style board....Colorado Woodworker makes nice repros and there's always the used market for a nice original,which I know MCH added to his superb collection.When these originals Drueke boards age,they look amazing! Developing a lovely patina,that's hard to reproduce in newer one.
I bought a JLP Player's Choice 21 inch board,which is a modern interpretation of the classic Drueke.....Though I have three other large boards,the Drueke style is my favorite.It goes with many types of sets....Just my two cents worth...Good luck and enjoy your lovely chess set..
For some reason I prefer black squares to dark wood pieces and dark wood squares to ebonized black pices.
Which dubrovnik?
@scubily it’s a Dubrovnik 1950
I have mine (1950 brown stain) on a 50mm Rechapados Ferrer (walnut and maple).
I guess I just need to compare between 2" spaced and 2.25" spaced squares 
The original Dubrovnik 1950's chess set was played on a 60mm sq chess board .
Congratulations on acquisition, Since it is a Dubrovnik chess set, I would recommend you veneer chess board. but it has other reason such as durability, stability and environmental friendly
But everyone has its own preferences, even I own a Dubrovnik set and I own both Solid and a Spanish veneer chess board which I bought from chessbazaar. I love both.
It actually all depends on the application if you going to use for showcase go for the solid one. if you intend for playing on any location veneer board is excellent choice in my opinion. So my suggestion is to use veneered instead of solid. Display purposes go with solid.
A veneer board looks as nice as a solid wood one but is less sturdy so I´d go the other way around (or use a roll-up mat for playing outside my home).
Vinyl boards are great + keeps the cost down if you have many different sets , Also it's a great way to find what size chess set suits your playing + a good overview in sizing + sq fit . So you can find that right wooden board be it solid or veneer , also take into account solid wooden boards can warp + need more care .
EvanM14436 wrote:
@VTVXIV , Do you by chance own a NOJ set?
@EvanM14436, my sincerest apologies for missing your inquiry! 
I was combing through some NOJ BCE and Dubrovnik threads and just came across it.
I own two NOJ Dubrovnik Minceta sets:
1st: NOJ Dubrovnik Minceta (Weighted, Maple/Brown) purchased from @Northof50 in December 2023 via these forums, who purchased it from @grownupboy:
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/does-anyone-have-any-chess-sets-to-sell?page=9
The initial unboxing can be seen on @grownupboy’s YouTube:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbusklSHcI
2nd: NOJ Dubrovnik Minceta (Unweighted, Maple/Walnut) purchased from Gregor Novak directly in January 2024. I discovered the set on the family’s Etsy store. I totally lucked out, as it was offered after an order cancellation!
My third and fourth sets are TBD! I’ve been patiently in queue on NOJ’s waitlist since September 2023. At that time, Gregor relayed my estimated order timeline for 2026.
...
My third and fourth sets are TBD! I’ve been patiently in queue on NOJ’s waitlist since September 2023. At that time, Gregor relayed my estimated order timeline for 2026.
Sept. 2023 to 2026 seems just a bit (!) longer than the 6-9 months as of April, 2025. Maybe there was a peak in orders followed by a large number of cancellations? Odd, or maybe I missed something...
@GrandPatzerDave, I was wondering the same thing. I plan on emailing him later for an updated timeline. Hopefully I wasn’t lost in the shuffle!
I have an antiqued SC 1950 Dubrovnik set that I have paired with many different boards.
This is a printed gloss finish board that I think looks nice. I also have 2 ColoradoWoodWorker boards, a Jaques-style Peruvian walnut and maple board with a cherry border,
and I also have a CWW Drueke-style board in walnut and maple. All of my boards are 2.25" and I think work well with the Dubrovnik pieces.
