Hi Jack,
I love backgammon too. In fact, I own about 40+ books on backgammon, and study that game too, like I do chess.
In the past I've also looked for a good dual board... until I realized what I wanted didn't exist.
Whatever type of dual set you DO find, the chessboard/chess pieces won't be as nice as the many chess sets you can find elsewhere, and the same goes for the backgammon board... it won't be as nice as the many backgammon sets you can find elsewhere. So you're sacrificing a lot of quality just to have something that "does both."
Currently, my favorite backgammon board is similar to this one:
http://www.crisloid.com/product/classic-blue-tournament-tabletop/
It's a large tabletop Crisloid set. I only bought it about a year ago but I'm still enjoying it a lot. It's a joy to play on. It's much nicer to play on this large tabletop board than it is to play on those smaller, folding attache brieface types of sets I've been playing on for the past 35 years. The "only" drawback to this non folding tabletop set is it is not as convenient to carry around. But once you start playing on it, whatever trouble you had carrying it around suddenly becomes worthwhile.
Best Chess and Backgammon Board
Ed, I find no reason why a board has to sacrifice quality in this manner your describing. It's just a manner of the price. Additionally, I would be fine with purchasing a board with no chess pieces (I prefer to buy them separately or use pieces I already own).
I agree with you there's no reason why a dual board SHOULD have to sacrifice quality.
It's just that they do.
I haven't found a manufacturer yet, that offers a quality board that is both a great chessboard and a great backgammon board too, for any price.
Most dual boards that I've seen, of course, are very cheap or inexpensive... kid stuff. The type you might find in a cheap toy store. Some wood boards I've seen make an attempt to do both, (I have such a board... maybe I'll take a photo of it) but the backgammon board part of it is a bit on the small size.
The tabletop backgammon board mentioned above, that I've become fond of, is a bit large for a chessboard. To put it another way, a chessboard of that same size wouldn't be allowed in chess tournaments. (I play in OTB tournaments all the time.) It's a bit too big. But it's a great size for a backgammon board, and I HAVE seen those size boards at backgammon tourneys.
I just don't think you will find a top quality chessboard that is also a top quality backgammon board. I just don't think it exists, at any price. There are a lot of top quality backgammon boards, (say, in excess of $300.00) and a lot of top quality chessboards (also in excess of $300.00) but nothing that combines both. Cheap combos, yes.
This is why I say whatever dual board you find will sacrifice quality. No matter how good of a dual board you find, you will be able to find a better stand-alone chessboard and a better stand-alone backgammon board. But I do wish you good luck in your search.
The tabletop backgammon board mentioned above, that I've become fond of, is a bit large for a chessboard. To put it another way, a chessboard of that same size wouldn't be allowed in chess tournaments. (I play in OTB tournaments all the time.) It's a bit too big. But it's a great size for a backgammon board, and I HAVE seen those size boards at backgammon tourneys.
This is why I say whatever dual board you find will sacrifice quality. No matter how good of a dual board you find, you will be able to find a better stand-alone chessboard and a better stand-alone backgammon board. But I do wish you good luck in your search.
The thing to do would be to find a backgammon board you like, and then add the chessboard onto the back of it yourself (or pay someone to do it). For example, if you wanted the backgammon board from your link, which is 27.5" x 23.5", a chessboard with 2.25" squares on the back would look like this in terms of dimensions:
You'd just need to be skilled with applying veneer, or better yet, doing wood inlay, or find someone who is.
I just got this beautiful board as a Xmas present from my father in law. He mentioned that he "found" this board in the attic of a house he previously lived in....The markings, which seem to have been penciled in, state "Donely" 1881. There is also something written that I can't make out...Any help would be great! Thanks!
Also, This board needs pieces....I would love some recommendations on some decent ones to match the board!
That is a beautiful board.
What is the size of the squares? It matters in choosing a nice set to go well with the board.
Also, what kind of wood do you like for the dark pieces?
Rosewood would look nice on that board.
Ebony or ebonized black would also look good.
What kind of budget or price range are you considering for this set?
There is a German company which had some combination boards on ebay. I managed to get the site link.
This one, https://www.connexxion24.com/Classic-Boardgames/BG-Kombinationen:::130_173.html
Their chess boards look as good as Ulbrich.
Thanks for the response! I believe it's close to 1 3/8inch for the squares....Looking to spend around $100 or so if they can get me a nice set. I can go higher if need be. The rosewood does look nice and I think that would look good with this board. Black would look good as well. Does anyone have any idea what this board might be worth?
Also, sorry to hijack the thread...If there is a better link where I can post please lead me to it. I'm new to the site. Thanks!
A small update for this thread.
These nice folding boards can be found on ebay for reasonable prices if you know the correct search terms.
In French Backgammon is known as Jacquet. A set of any board game is phrased "Jeux" or "Jeu" and the name of the game.
Jeu Jacquet
Jeux Jacquet
Jeu Échecs (chess set)
Jacquet is sometimes spelled as Jaquet, without the c.
For wood it's "bois", and for old/vintage it's "ancien". In your advanced search terms on the left you will want to select "occasion", which means used.
Use ebay.fr, and do not restrict your choices to international shipping. Many sellers will be willing to ship to the USA if you are willing to pay the exhorbitant price for it, but they don't always set the listing as such.
With a cursory search of ebay.fr tonight this set is revealed:
90 euros Buy It Now listing for the complete board, chessmen, and backgammon pieces. This board has the holes along the sides indicating it is quite old. These holes are used for the playing of the game of Tric Trac, a largely extinct game. The later versions of these folding boards do not bothe with the holes. The seller specifies "Pas la vente a le'estranger / No sales abroad", but cash has a way of changing minds :).
The other side of the board is not visible, but in-laid ebony and maple/birch squares are very likely. The squares will measure about 2.2".
A photo from another listing in the past of a very nice board.
But there are many variations and sizes. This is a newer, slightly smaller board.
But be wary of purchasing a board which has 100 squares on the outer side. This is for playing International Draughts (but it could be fun for 10x10 Chess variants).
The shipping on these boards can be anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on the size and weight if you are shipping to the US. UK ought to be cheaper.
I can personally vouch for this set https://www.etsy.com/listing/662577734/handmade-black-wooden-chess-checkers-and, as I have bought one, it's really well made, and I like how it looks. Too bad no extra queens are provided (it isn't a "pro" set, but it's nice and stylish, and plays well).
It's my favorite one so far.
Here's one, but even it looks so-so... https://www.chessbaron.com/product/BG2030/
Why doesn't every folding set have chess and backgammon? If I had some time and money (and skill), I'd make my own.
I play a lot of Backgammon. As much as I play Chess. And it seems to me there are not many great Chess and Backgammon folding sets around these days. Most of them are too small, or poorly made.
Optimally, a good combo board ought to feature at least 2" squares on the Chess board side, and also accomodate at least 1.5" checkers on the Backgammon board.
To my eye most of the best combo boards were made around 100 years ago give or take a decade or two. Currently, I use my French folding board. It has a 2.2" squares and accomodates 1.9" checkers. A very nice board, but it's also quite old and I'd like to be able to put it away and play with something a little less vintage for the sake of keeping it good condition. So I ask readers of this thread to post their suggestions, or photos and information about their own boards.