I don't collect chess boards (I know many chess players do though) and I should probably get a decent set one of these days. What I have now is:
-A standard sized chess board which my grandfather used to own; it is that "board game" material, so probably not the most pricey antique and it has hollow, plastic chess pieces...but this is what I'd use if I played at home with family (which admittingly is rare as I'm by far the biggest into chess here xD). I don't know how much it would be worth, but it does have that vintage look to it and is pretty old; the squares are light-brown and dark-brown.
-Excalibur Electronics chess board (built-in computer) which is slightly smaller than regular boards, but similar. This features black and silver squares, but I use this board most often for personal analysis at home because the board is magnetic to the bottom of the pieces. This means I can analyze on my bed, around the house, or even upside-down (yes, the magnets are that good). I keep this board (with pieces setup) in my bedroom for easy access if a position worth analyzing pops into my head.
-pocket sized wooden chess set in a round case (all wood). This one is my go-to for "on the go" analysis. I hardly take it anywhere now, but this was the chess set I'd keep in my computer bag at school because it was so small and easy to carry. The wood is really neat and the chess pieces are all wooden pegs (each chess square has a little hole for potential pegs). I'd like it even more if the board and pieces were not so small (I can palm the entire case, board and pieces all in one hand). This chess set was a gift from a friend of mine when they went to India and bought it from a vendor there.
-Another pocket sized chess set, but this one is all plastic and a square shape (unlike the wooden round one). This also uses pegs and is a little bigger than the wooden one, but what is special about this is that the pieces are 2D (technically 3D I guess with the pegs and such, but the pieces on the board appear flat. If you've seen those wall sets at chess lectures, it is that design except with plastic pocket-size rather than wall-sized). I wouldn't have gotten this set, except it was an item at a garage sale, so I think I paid 10 cents for it.
That is all the chess sets I have. My local chess club uses the inexpensive USCF sales sets which were donated to the club, so I just use one of their many sets when I play there instead of bringing my own like some bring.
If I were to purchase a chess set for more regular use or carrying to OTB events, I'd probably get a Play Magnus set because a friend of mine has this and the piece design looks nice. I don't think they sell those sets anymore though, so I don't think I can buy one. There were around $50 (USD) last I checked, but never in stock and doesn't appear to be re-stocking in the future to the best of my knowledge.
I am curious as to how many chess boards you folks own?For some unknown reason( Well,maybe "The Shadow Knows"...an old radio show, before my time. that my dad loved and played for me as a kid...Ha!) I have the hots to add a fourth.
Looking around at all the offerings has led me to believe collecting chess boards can most likely be as addictive as collecting sets,if you have the space and cashola.
So,how many do ya' own?