Chess table versus dining table + chessboard

My heart yearns for a chess table. The $4,995 House of Staunton Signature Traditional Chess Table sounds perfect. Unfortunately, I'm not rich so I searched for something more affordable and may have found a workable solution... a right-sized small dining table.

House of Staunton Signature Traditional Chess Table specs

• Playing surface: 32" wide x 42" long
• Square size: 2.25"

If you do the calculation, at 2.25 inches, the 64 squares measure 18 inches on each side. Each player has 7 inches of elbow room, with 12 inches on either side. To me, the dimensions are just about perfect for a chess table meant for playing.

My goal was to find a small dining table that closely matched the HoS playing surface dimensions. I found this:

International Concepts Solid Wood Dining Table with Shaker Legs, 48 by 30 by 30-Inch, Black/Cherry 

• Surface: 30" wide x 48" long
• Price: under $200

How would a House of Staunton chessboard look on this table?

House of Staunton Standard Traditional Chess Board

• Square size: 2.25"
• Chess board footprint: 22.5" x 22.5"

With respect to the chessboard footprint, which includes a border around the 64 squares, each player would have 3.75 inches of elbow room, with 12.75 inches on either side.

The distance from the edge of the 64 squares to the table's edge on the player's side is 6 inches, comparable to the House of Staunton's 7 inches. Unfortunately, 2.25 inches is taken by the board's border, leaving only 3.75 inches of elbow room. Now we can see the advantage of having the chessboard built into the table's surface. No border = more elbow room.

To me, elbow room is important when playing, not as important when studying. The difference between 3.75 and 7 inches of elbow room may not seem like much but in practical terms, it is. Just observe the top boards at any large open chess tournament as the players assume one of two popular stances, either,

1. resting their forearms lengthwise on the table, leaning their bodies forward, or
2. propping both elbows on the table, resting hands either under the chin, along the sides of the face or using the fingers to shield the eyes.

Try assuming those positions on your own table and you'll realize how much difference there is between 3.75 and 7 inches.

For $200 (plus cost of chessboard + set) vs $4995, I think the small dining table is a fine workable solution, especially if one's primary use is studying. For playing, extra elbow room is desirable but not a dealbreaker given the cost savings. For comparison, the standard 6' folding table often used at tournaments is also 30 inches deep.

Additional Notes:

1. The table above also comes in white and black surface colors. Personally, I prefer a darker surface for a chess table which is why I chose cherry.
2. If you're not so concerned about elbow room, there's an alternative that's under $100. It's only 28 inches deep so using the board above, you'll have only 2.75 inches of elbow room. Here's the link: Zinus Espresso Wood Dining Table.

I hope this post helps you find the perfect chess table!

HOS sometimes put this on sale https://www.houseofstaunton.com/masters-chess-table.html for $295. 

Really? I've seen $495 but not $295. I'll be keeping a lookout. Thanks for the heads up!

I find playing on a 27-28" table ideal, you don't have to reach too far to move the pieces; plus it seems tournaments use tables (folding tables) about this width so everything just looks "normal".  However, I'd like to have more room on the sides, so the table should be longer than 40".