Opinions on Jaques chess boards

There is a lot of talk on this forum about jaques chess pieces but much less so about their boards.  But in old pictures of a jaques set and board I am always captivated by the dark patina that has developed over the chess board.

For example, if you are not in the US and buy a drueke board that goes on ebay from time to time it will cost about the same as a jaques.  Both are inlaid and I assume of similar quality wood.  But it seems that we give a lot of attention to Jaques pieces but forget their boards, preferring others.

I was wondering if people could post their views on the jaques board and why they did or did not purchase it together with their pieces (jaques or another brand).

I don't know about Jaques boards but Drueke have not inlaid and is not veneer.

I had a Jaques rosewood & holly chessboard. It was the most vibrant board I ever owned. I was offered a lot of money for it & I sold it. Stupid me.!

Have a new 23" Jaques like the mahogany frame, craftsmanship is ok after sending one back supposedly made in England. But love my older 15 in Drueke the light square can have some beautiful grain.

I own a contemporary Jaques board with the mahogany frame. I would rate the workmanship as shoddy. The HOS superior traditional board with mahogany frame is a Jaques knock off of far greater quality. It's one of my favorite boards. I'll post a few pics when I get a chance. But it's a gorgeous day and yardwork and the domestic high command beckon.

I don't know if the OP was asking about current Jaques boards or vintage Jaques boards. Tournament-size vintage 19th century Jaques boards are not that easy to find and are often more expensive than vintage Jaques sets.

If you buy a new board, my experience is that it will take about 20 years for the board to develop a nice patina. Just keep in mind that vintage boards are solid wood with inlays, and modern boards are veneeer on plywood, so even w/ a decent patina they will never look as nice as a real vintage board...

I own the HoS superior traditional board cgrau mentioned as well. I can't speak for Jaques quality w/ these type of boards, but the HoS board I got was warped, ie it doesn't lie flat but wobbles... I never bothered to ask HoS for replacement at the time, on account of the shipping and customs hassle...If you get one of these w/ good workmanship, it would be a nice board, although I do think it's overpriced.

I would like an old Jaques leather board.

Thanks for the great comments everyone! 

I didn't know about the drueke boards being different to the jaques - thanks for the clarification.

Jaques doesn't seem to offer the rosewood & holly combination anymore.  It's really a shame as their boards, as good as they are, don't seem to have the same charm...

I always wonder what chess boards everyone is using for their larger sets  4 inches and over.

For instance, ChessBazaar sold out of their 1849 sets which are 4.4 inch and wide bases.  What chess boards are people using for such large sets? Pictures would be most welcome!!

Now that looks nice!

Very nice indeed! My Drueke 2.25" has become my favorite board.

A green white folding 18 inch Masonite board just sold for 140. Usd wow on eBay Drueke that is sorry for OT

Cgrau - Do you think there is more sense to buying a jaques board if you have jaques pieces to complete the 'set' if I put it like that. I ask because I think I am about to become a proud owner of a jaques set and need to decide on a board...

I wouldn't get one of their contemporary boards because I think their quality is inferior. I like the board below from HOS, as it's a knock-off of the Jaques board, though Frank Helwig has had problems with it. http://www.houseofstaunton.com/rosewood-and-sycamore-superior-traditional-chessboard.html Congratulations on your new set. What did you get?

Yeah, they are veneered and I'd agree they're overpriced, but many boards are IMHO. It's great that you got one for fifty bucks. The mitred joints are much tighter and better cut than in the contemporary Jaques board. The squares are much richer in tone, and the playing area is much more securely seated than in the Jaques. Now, mind you, I'm only comparing one example of each, but then it's all I have to go on.

Thanks for the advice guys.

cgrau - that is a nice board.  But once the price is converted from USD and shipping included it starts to get really pricy - especially if you need to size up to a 2.3 or a 2.5 board.  If one were to be spending around that money on a board, what do you think of spending a little more for this one:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/catalog/product/view/id/4868/s/elm-burl-and-bird-s-eye-maple-superior-traditional-chessboard/category/26/

It looks great with the HOS collector series set that they have put on their website.

Also, this  2.5 inch for the price seems good also:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/catalog/product/view/id/13974/s/luxe-traditional-chessboard-elm-burl-maple-2-5-squares/category/1317/

Does anyone have this new luxe board offering of the HOS - it seems to be a non-expensive option to their luxury boards that go for 3-4k.  Would love to hear a review from someone who has bought it.

cgrau - I got a bargain on a second hand ebonised Fischer v Spassky set.  Since I am working and travelling at the moment I didn't want to opt for a high end ebony set at this stage and the offer was just too good to pass up.  Plus I have a rather old 18 inch jaques board - not the right size but it will do for now.  When I get a chance I'll post pics in the following thread about the Fischer v Spassky set: http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/will-the-real-fischer-spassky-1972-design-please-stand-up

Since I had bought the jaques set I wanted views about jaques contemporary boards (whether it's worth sizing up to their 20 inch or 23 inch models or saving up for something from HOS or chessbazaar - which sells some nice boards and with free shipping).  The jaques boards are not as flashy as other boards for the same price that is for sure.

Thanks cgrau for the review and confirmation - I might just save up for the elm burl/birds eye maple board in 2.5 inches also - might couple it with a chessbazaar 1849 set - ahhh when will it all end!

If you have pics it would be great to see your sets on that board!

LOL. It never ends!

QK, here are some pics of one of my Russian GM sets on the elm burl/bird's eye maple from HOS. 2.5" squares. That's a big set.

The elm burl looks fantastic. If if weren't for the molded edges, I'd go for this board.