I don't know what they used, but it looks like you could build one on the cheap using velcro pieces. I just bought a large tablecloth with 2" black-and-white squares. One person said he put it a piece of it under glass and made the perfect chess table.
Name of the massive wall boards used in chess tournemants and where to buy them
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The size sold through places like amazon are the 32 inch boards however I am looking for the stuff they used in the days before Projectors in large tournaments.