Chessboard Table

Hello Everyone,

I run an online shop on Etsy call Colorado Woodworker and I have an idea for a new project that I wanted to see there would be any interest in before I begin work on it.  I want to start building chessboard tables with innerlocking components all made of solid lumber (probably cherry) and that could fit different style of chessboards.  This would be similar to Chess House but the assembly would be different and should hopefully be more affordable.

The design will make it cheaper to ship because it will arrive in pieces rather than as a whole.  Customers would have to assemble it but that wouldn't require any tools and it would be very simple to take apart if needed.

Points of concern are as followed:

• Is there a big market for something like this out there?
• It is currently sketched to fit a 22x22 inch chessboard, should it be bigger?  The thought is to sell it with a 18x18 inch playing surface and a 2 inch border.
• If this could be built for $425 (that is including chessboard), would that be a fair price?

I am probably a month away still from moving forward with this idea, if I do at all, but I wanted to get some thoughts on it first.  I love the feedback this forum usually provides!

Thanks,

Brad

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ColoradoWoodWorker

Brad -

I'm guessing that for the board size you specified (22x22 with 2.25 inch squares) it should be a very good seller.  A price point of $425 is significantly less expensive than similarly sized table+board combinations.  You might want to have two versions - with and without drawers.  I suggest to make one and post pictures on your website and on chess.com (or a link) to gauge consumer response.  

By-the-way.  In your initial post above, did you mean "...and a 2 inch border"?

On a different note, I recently purchased a board from you, which I am very pleased with.  The Brazilian Cherry-Maple-Walnut model.  A beautiful board and the quality was excellent.  Here is a photo of my board...

Thank you for the feedback and the correction!  I am not sure if I could do the drawer but I am working on a way for it to have a storage compartment underneath the playing surface. 

And thank you for sharing a photo of the board.  It looks great with those pieces!

I love my board!  (The pieces pictured are the GM Blitz set from Chess Bazaar - very nice as well).

I would add more space at the sides. 2" might be enough for captured pieces but dubious for a chess clock and not nearly enough for a book, tablet, or computer?

The local chess club I play at has some tables that boards have been set into; they're uncomfortable for anyone who wants to lean their elbows on the table, so you might want more space back to front, too, although you have to mind the distance to the far rank and not make it too much of a stretch!

Re boards ... I don't know what is typical for borders, but I would definitely base the design around 55mm squares, at that's the FIDE standard. (FIDE has things to say about tables too, but FIDE ignores any and all of their own rules when they choose, so don't get too hung up on their specifications.)

For my own custom table I chose not to have any drawers, as it has a secondary purpose as a dining table in a small apartment, so I kept the height standard (helps for selecting chairs too) and avoided obstructions for knees etc.

Good luck! It sounds an interesting project, and more cost effective than a totally custom table.

Hi Brad - I love your boards and will be getting one before year's end. I was thinking you might consider a "drop in board" type of table? Large enough to accommodate other boards (including yours) in the center. Sort of a dug out design people can put their favorite boards in.  It could have a rim large enough for elbows, score sheets, libations etc. Just a thought.

I think the "drop in board" concept is an interesting one.

Brad -

Not to rain on your parade, because I know, from experience, the high quality of your products, but you might want to be aware of what you are up against...

http://www.thebestchesstables.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22

http://www.maitland-smith.com/Catalog.aspx?VType=4&SType=4&lbRoom=0&lbCategory=FGAM&lbEclection=0&selWidth=L&txtWidth=&selHeight=L&txtHeight=&selDepth=L&txtDepth=&txtAll=&txtPhrase=&txtAtLeast=&txtItem=&txtNI=N&txt3YI=N

@verylate - In fact your comments suggest an alternative solution.....why not simply a nice, quality chessboard from Brad Borkowski, together with.....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00405TBYM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ATHPB1OY000O&coliid=I2ZV55RBUUSGH8&psc=1

The table is solid wood, and the top is 29.53 inches square.....large enough for chess accessories and a nice breakfast!

otherwise.....

Something along the lines of what is pictured in post #28 here should cover all contingencies very nicely (the oversize table, that is)...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/drueke-chess-table?page=2

 But I think your essential point is a good one.  Why make a chess table that is sized similar to all the other chess tables on the market? That is, one with little space outside the playing area.  That would be simply reinventing the same mousetrap.  A chess table which is larger than the norm could generate a lot of interest.  A price point for such a table in the $500-$600 range, or even somewhat more depending on size, would not be out of line.

Offering several size options might also be worth considering.

images of chessboard tables...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/pictures-of-chess-tables?page=1

Post #2 shows a simple, yet effective and elegant table design that should have wide appeal...it's large enough to accommodate clocks, game score sheets etc.  And put a (waterproof) table cloth on it and have a nice breakfast!.....

Thank you all for the feedback, it has really been great!  I will hopefully have more time soon to work on this concept and I will come back with more drafts or a prototype!

Photos in this 2012 Chessbase article of the chess table used for the Fischer-Spassky 1972 World Championship match in Reykjavik....

http://en.chessbase.com/post/match-of-the-century-cheboard-up-for-sale-on-thursday