{"id":3284,"date":"2017-09-18T15:05:34","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T13:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/designchess\/guide-to-choosing-the-right-chess-set-2\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T21:49:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T18:49:43","slug":"guide-to-choosing-chess-set","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/designchess.com\/staging\/resources\/guide-to-choosing-chess-set\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Choosing a Chess Set"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"row row-full-width\"  id=\"row-1651759438\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1045866820\" class=\"col small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t<div id=\"text-3046913442\" class=\"text dc-cp-header-shortcode\">\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#col-1045866820 > .col-inner {\n  padding: 0px 0p 0px 0px;\n  margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row row-collapse row-full-width dc-guide-tabs-v20\"  id=\"row-1829490339\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1596338098\" class=\"col small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"tabbed-content\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uppercase text-left\">Choose a topic<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"nav nav-line nav-uppercase nav-size-normal nav-left\" role=\"tablist\"><li id=\"tab-size-guide\" class=\"tab active has-icon\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"#size-guide\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"true\" aria-controls=\"tab_size-guide\"><span>Size &amp; matching<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"tab-finishes\" class=\"tab has-icon\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"#finishes\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab_finishes\"><span>Finish<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"tab-woods-colours\" class=\"tab has-icon\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"#woods-colours\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab_woods-colours\"><span>Woods &amp; colours<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"tab-panels\"><div id=\"tab_size-guide\" class=\"panel active entry-content\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"tab-size-guide\">\n\n\n\n<!-- DC GUIDE SIZE & MATCHING v2.5 \u2014 2026-08-23 -->\n<section\n  class=\"dc-guide-panel dc-guide-panel--size\"\n  data-dc-guide-version=\"2.5\"\n  aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-size-title\"\n>\n  <h2 id=\"dc-guide-size-title\">Matching chess pieces and a board<\/h2>\n\n  <p class=\"dc-guide-panel__answer\">\n    <strong>Match the size letters:<\/strong> any Size M chess pieces can be paired\n    with any Size M chess board, and any Size L chess pieces with any Size L\n    chess board. If the letter matches, the sizes are compatible.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <section\n    class=\"dc-guide-choice-section\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-choice-title\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-choice-title\">\n      Two ways to choose a complete chess set\n    <\/h3>\n\n    <div class=\"dc-guide-choice-paths\">\n      <section aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-together-title\">\n        <h4 id=\"dc-guide-together-title\">\n          Choose the board and pieces together\n        <\/h4>\n        <p>\n          Our <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-sets\/\">Chess Sets<\/a> include both chess pieces\n          and a chess board. We have already paired the sizes for you.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/section>\n\n      <section aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-separately-title\">\n        <h4 id=\"dc-guide-separately-title\">Choose them separately<\/h4>\n        <p>\n          Start with either <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-pieces\/\">Chess Pieces<\/a> or a\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-boards\/\">Chess Board<\/a>. Stay within the same M or L\n          size, or open <strong>Combine with&hellip;<\/strong> on the product page to\n          see our recommended matches.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <div class=\"dc-guide-match-example\">\n    <div class=\"dc-guide-match-example__copy\">\n      <h3>Where to find Combine with&hellip;<\/h3>\n\n      <p>\n        Every product page for chess pieces or a chess board includes a section\n        called <strong>Combine with&hellip;<\/strong>. Open it to see recommended\n        matches for the product you are viewing: chess boards for chess pieces,\n        or chess pieces for a chess board.\n      <\/p>\n\n      <p>\n        On a desktop, <strong>Combine with&hellip;<\/strong> is one of the tabs below\n        the product information. On a phone or tablet, scroll below\n        <strong>Add to basket<\/strong> and tap the\n        <strong>Combine with&hellip;<\/strong> row to open it.\n      <\/p>\n\n      <p>\n        The recommendations are a curated starting point, not the only compatible\n        choices. As a general rule, pair Size M pieces with a Size M board, and\n        Size L pieces with a Size L board.\n      <\/p>\n\n      <p>\n        If you are considering mixing the M and L size groups, you are welcome to\n        <a href=\"..\/..\/contact-us\/\">contact us<\/a> for help checking the proportions.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <figure class=\"dc-guide-combine-example dc-guide-desktop-example\">\n      <img\n        src=\"https:\/\/designchess.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/dc-guide-combine-with-v2-1.png\"\n        alt=\"The Combine with tab on the Siena chess board page, showing compatible chess pieces and the automatic 2.5% order discount.\"\n        width=\"724\"\n        height=\"589\"\n        loading=\"lazy\"\n        decoding=\"async\"\n      >\n      <figcaption>\n        Example: chess pieces recommended for the Siena chess board.\n      <\/figcaption>\n    <\/figure>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <section\n    class=\"dc-guide-size-section\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-usual-pairings-title\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-usual-pairings-title\">The simple size guide<\/h3>\n\n    <table class=\"dc-guide-size-table\">\n      <caption class=\"dc-guide-sr-only\">\n        Compatible chess-piece and chess-board size pairings\n      <\/caption>\n      <thead>\n        <tr>\n          <th scope=\"col\">Match<\/th>\n          <th scope=\"col\">Chess pieces<\/th>\n          <th scope=\"col\">Chess board<\/th>\n        <\/tr>\n      <\/thead>\n      <tbody>\n        <tr>\n          <th scope=\"row\">\n            <span class=\"dc-guide-size-pair\">M + M<\/span>\n          <\/th>\n          <td>\n            <a href=\"..\/..\/tournament-size-chess-pieces\/\">Size M<\/a>\n            <small>\n              King height 3.75&ndash;4.2 in (9.5&ndash;10.7 cm)\n            <\/small>\n          <\/td>\n          <td>\n            <a href=\"..\/..\/medium-size-chess-boards\/\">Size M<\/a>\n            <small>5.0 cm (1.97 in) squares<\/small>\n          <\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n          <th scope=\"row\">\n            <span class=\"dc-guide-size-pair\">L + L<\/span>\n          <\/th>\n          <td>\n            <a href=\"..\/..\/club-size-chess-pieces\/\">Size L<\/a>\n            <small>\n              King height 4.25&ndash;4.75 in (10.8&ndash;12.1 cm)\n            <\/small>\n          <\/td>\n          <td>\n            <a href=\"..\/..\/large-size-chess-boards\/\">Size L<\/a>\n            <small>6.0 cm (2.36 in) squares<\/small>\n          <\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n      <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <figure\n    class=\"dc-guide-ratio\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-ratio-title\"\n    aria-describedby=\"dc-guide-ratio-note\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-ratio-title\">For a closer look at proportions<\/h3>\n\n    <p class=\"dc-guide-ratio__explain\">\n      The circles show the king&rsquo;s base viewed from above. The king usually\n      has the widest base in a chess set, so it is used for this comparison.\n      A smaller base leaves more visible space around the piece, while a larger\n      base creates a fuller look.\n    <\/p>\n\n    <ol class=\"dc-guide-ratio__grid\">\n      <li class=\"dc-guide-ratio__item\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 140 140\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n          <rect\n            class=\"dc-guide-ratio__square\"\n            x=\"10\"\n            y=\"10\"\n            width=\"120\"\n            height=\"120\"\n          ><\/rect>\n          <circle\n            class=\"dc-guide-ratio__base\"\n            cx=\"70\"\n            cy=\"70\"\n            r=\"45\"\n          ><\/circle>\n        <\/svg>\n        <p class=\"dc-guide-ratio__label\">\n          <strong>About 75%<\/strong>\n          <span>More open<\/span>\n        <\/p>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li class=\"dc-guide-ratio__item\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 140 140\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n          <rect\n            class=\"dc-guide-ratio__square\"\n            x=\"10\"\n            y=\"10\"\n            width=\"120\"\n            height=\"120\"\n          ><\/rect>\n          <circle\n            class=\"dc-guide-ratio__base\"\n            cx=\"70\"\n            cy=\"70\"\n            r=\"48\"\n          ><\/circle>\n        <\/svg>\n        <p class=\"dc-guide-ratio__label\">\n          <strong>About 80%<\/strong>\n          <span>Balanced<\/span>\n        <\/p>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li class=\"dc-guide-ratio__item\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 140 140\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n          <rect\n            class=\"dc-guide-ratio__square\"\n            x=\"10\"\n            y=\"10\"\n            width=\"120\"\n            height=\"120\"\n          ><\/rect>\n          <circle\n            class=\"dc-guide-ratio__base\"\n            cx=\"70\"\n            cy=\"70\"\n            r=\"51\"\n          ><\/circle>\n        <\/svg>\n        <p class=\"dc-guide-ratio__label\">\n          <strong>About 85%<\/strong>\n          <span>Fuller<\/span>\n        <\/p>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ol>\n\n    <figcaption id=\"dc-guide-ratio-note\">\n      The percentage compares the diameter of the king&rsquo;s base with the width\n      of one square. These are visual examples, not pass-or-fail limits. They are\n      included for customers who want to fine-tune the look;\n      <strong>\n        M + M and L + L remain compatible without any calculation.\n      <\/strong>\n    <\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tab_finishes\" class=\"panel entry-content\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"tab-finishes\">\n\n\n\n<!-- DC GUIDE SURFACE FINISH v2.5 \u2014 2026-08-23 -->\n<section\n  class=\"dc-guide-panel dc-guide-panel--finish\"\n  data-dc-guide-version=\"2.5\"\n  aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-finish-title\"\n>\n  <h2 id=\"dc-guide-finish-title\">Lacquered or unlacquered?<\/h2>\n\n  <p class=\"dc-guide-panel__answer\">\n    Choose chiefly according to the sheen, reflections and surface feel you prefer.\n    This section focuses on those surface qualities; woods, natural colours and\n    decorative colour treatments are covered under\n    <strong>Woods and colours<\/strong>. Finish does not affect size compatibility.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <section\n    class=\"dc-guide-finish-section\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-piece-finishes-title\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-piece-finishes-title\">Chess pieces<\/h3>\n\n    <div class=\"dc-guide-finish-compare\">\n      <article class=\"dc-guide-finish-option\">\n        <div\n          class=\"dc-guide-finish-sample dc-guide-finish-sample--lacquered\"\n          aria-hidden=\"true\"\n        >\n          <span><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <h4>Lacquered<\/h4>\n        <p>\n          A lacquer coating generally gives the pieces a smoother, more uniform\n          surface, with more sheen and stronger reflections in bright light. The\n          lacquer may be clear or coloured.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/article>\n\n      <article class=\"dc-guide-finish-option\">\n        <div\n          class=\"dc-guide-finish-sample dc-guide-finish-sample--unlacquered\"\n          aria-hidden=\"true\"\n        >\n          <span><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <h4>Unlacquered<\/h4>\n        <p>\n          Without a lacquer coating, the pieces generally have a lower sheen, and\n          more of the wood&rsquo;s natural surface character remains apparent to the\n          touch.\n          <strong>Unlacquered does not mean unfinished.<\/strong>\n        <\/p>\n      <\/article>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <p class=\"dc-guide-finish-note\">\n      Neither represents a higher or lower level of quality. The difference is one\n      of appearance and feel.\n    <\/p>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <section\n    class=\"dc-guide-finish-section\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-board-finishes-title\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-board-finishes-title\">Chess boards<\/h3>\n\n    <p>\n      Our chess boards are described as high-gloss, matt or ultra-matt according\n      to their level of sheen and reflection.\n    <\/p>\n\n    <dl class=\"dc-guide-sheen-list\">\n      <div class=\"dc-guide-sheen-list__item\">\n        <dt>High-gloss<\/dt>\n        <dd>\n          <span\n            class=\"dc-guide-sheen-bar dc-guide-sheen-bar--high\"\n            aria-hidden=\"true\"\n          ><\/span>\n          <span class=\"dc-guide-sheen-value\">\n            Pronounced sheen and strong reflections\n          <\/span>\n        <\/dd>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"dc-guide-sheen-list__item\">\n        <dt>Matt<\/dt>\n        <dd>\n          <span\n            class=\"dc-guide-sheen-bar dc-guide-sheen-bar--medium\"\n            aria-hidden=\"true\"\n          ><\/span>\n          <span class=\"dc-guide-sheen-value\">\n            Reduced sheen and softer reflections\n          <\/span>\n        <\/dd>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"dc-guide-sheen-list__item\">\n        <dt>Ultra-matt<\/dt>\n        <dd>\n          <span\n            class=\"dc-guide-sheen-bar dc-guide-sheen-bar--low\"\n            aria-hidden=\"true\"\n          ><\/span>\n          <span class=\"dc-guide-sheen-value\">\n            Very low sheen and minimal reflections\n          <\/span>\n        <\/dd>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/dl>\n\n    <p>\n      The difference can also be felt: high-gloss boards generally have a smoother,\n      more uniform surface, while matt and especially ultra-matt boards have a fine\n      surface texture that is more apparent to the touch.\n    <\/p>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <section\n    class=\"dc-guide-final-check\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-finish-pairing-title\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-finish-pairing-title\">\n      Do the finishes need to match?\n    <\/h3>\n\n    <p>\n      No. Lacquered chess pieces can be paired with a matt chess board, and\n      unlacquered pieces with a high-gloss board. Matching and contrasting\n      finishes are both valid choices.\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p class=\"dc-guide-secondary\">\n      For fewer reflections, start with unlacquered pieces or a matt or ultra-matt\n      board. For a more reflective appearance, look for lacquered pieces or a\n      high-gloss board.\n    <\/p>\n  <\/section>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tab_woods-colours\" class=\"panel entry-content\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"tab-woods-colours\">\n\n\n\n<!-- DC GUIDE WOODS & COLOURS v2.5 \u2014 2026-08-23 -->\n<section\n  class=\"dc-guide-panel dc-guide-panel--woods\"\n  data-dc-guide-version=\"2.5\"\n  aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-woods-title\"\n>\n  <h2 id=\"dc-guide-woods-title\">Woods and colours<\/h2>\n\n  <p class=\"dc-guide-panel__answer\">\n    This section explains the woods, natural colours, grain patterns and decorative\n    colour treatments used in our chess pieces and boards. See\n    <strong>Finish<\/strong> for surface sheen, reflections and feel.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <section aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-piece-woods-title\">\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-piece-woods-title\">Chess pieces<\/h3>\n\n    <div class=\"dc-guide-material-grid\">\n      <figure>\n        <div class=\"dc-guide-material-grid__image\">\n          <img\n            src=\"..\/..\/wp-content\/uploads\/Polished-Boxwood-pawn.jpg\"\n            width=\"180\"\n            height=\"220\"\n            loading=\"lazy\"\n            decoding=\"async\"\n            alt=\"Pale boxwood chess pawn\"\n          >\n        <\/div>\n        <figcaption>\n          <strong>Boxwood<\/strong>\n          <span>\n            Naturally pale, with a fine and generally even grain. It can also be\n            antiqued, burnt or finished in other colours.\n          <\/span>\n        <\/figcaption>\n      <\/figure>\n\n      <figure>\n        <div class=\"dc-guide-material-grid__image\">\n          <img\n            src=\"..\/..\/wp-content\/uploads\/Antiqued-Boxwood-pawn-4.jpg\"\n            width=\"180\"\n            height=\"220\"\n            loading=\"lazy\"\n            decoding=\"async\"\n            alt=\"Warm brown antiqued boxwood chess pawn\"\n          >\n        <\/div>\n        <figcaption>\n          <strong>Antiqued boxwood<\/strong>\n          <span>\n            Boxwood treated to give it a darker, warmer tone. This is a colour\n            treatment, not a separate wood.\n          <\/span>\n        <\/figcaption>\n      <\/figure>\n\n      <figure>\n        <div class=\"dc-guide-material-grid__image\">\n          <img\n            src=\"..\/..\/wp-content\/uploads\/Polished-Padauk-pawn.jpg\"\n            width=\"180\"\n            height=\"220\"\n            loading=\"lazy\"\n            decoding=\"async\"\n            alt=\"Red-brown padauk chess pawn\"\n          >\n        <\/div>\n        <figcaption>\n          <strong>Padauk<\/strong>\n          <span>\n            Naturally orange-red to red-brown, with visible grain.\n          <\/span>\n        <\/figcaption>\n      <\/figure>\n\n      <figure>\n        <div class=\"dc-guide-material-grid__image\">\n          <img\n            src=\"..\/..\/wp-content\/uploads\/Polished-Ebony-pawn.jpg\"\n            width=\"180\"\n            height=\"220\"\n            loading=\"lazy\"\n            decoding=\"async\"\n            alt=\"Black ebony chess pawn\"\n          >\n        <\/div>\n        <figcaption>\n          <strong>Ebony<\/strong>\n          <span>\n            Naturally very dark brown to black, with subtle variation in colour\n            and grain.\n          <\/span>\n        <\/figcaption>\n      <\/figure>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <dl class=\"dc-guide-terms\">\n      <div class=\"dc-guide-terms__item\">\n        <dt>Pairing colours<\/dt>\n        <dd>\n          Padauk can form the darker side when paired with boxwood, or the lighter\n          side when paired with ebony.\n        <\/dd>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"dc-guide-terms__item\">\n        <dt>Antiqued boxwood<\/dt>\n        <dd>\n          Antiquing darkens and warms boxwood without changing its wood species.\n          The\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-pieces\/1849-staunton-chess-pieces\/\">\n            1849 Staunton chess pieces\n          <\/a>\n          are available in ebony with antiqued boxwood, and this pairing is used in\n          the\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-sets\/1849-andalucia-chess-set\/\">\n            1849 Andalucia complete chess set\n          <\/a>.\n        <\/dd>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"dc-guide-terms__item\">\n        <dt>Colour treatments<\/dt>\n        <dd>\n          Some designs use colour over boxwood rather than relying on its natural\n          tone. The\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-pieces\/earl-coloured-chess-pieces\/\">\n            Earl chess pieces\n          <\/a>\n          have a smooth, even coloured lacquer and are also used in the\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-sets\/earl-duo-chess-set\/\">\n            Earl Duo complete chess set\n          <\/a>.\n          The\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-pieces\/new-york-chess-pieces\/\">\n            New York chess pieces\n          <\/a>\n          use hand-finished paint-splatter detailing and are also used in the\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-sets\/manhattan-chess-set\/\">\n            Manhattan complete chess set\n          <\/a>.\n        <\/dd>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"dc-guide-terms__item\">\n        <dt>Burnt boxwood<\/dt>\n        <dd>\n          The darker\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-pieces\/vulcan-chess-pieces\/\">\n            Vulcan chess pieces\n          <\/a>\n          use burnt boxwood with visible tonal variation beneath a glossy lacquered\n          finish. The same pieces are used in the\n          <a href=\"..\/..\/chess-sets\/vesuvius-chess-set\/\">\n            Vesuvius complete chess set\n          <\/a>.\n        <\/dd>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/dl>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <section\n    class=\"dc-guide-boards-material\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-board-woods-title\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-board-woods-title\">Chess boards<\/h3>\n\n    <p>\n      Chess board descriptions identify the woods and veneers used for the playing\n      surface. Examples in our range include root of elm with maple, root of walnut\n      with maple, and ash burl with poplar.\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p>\n      Natural colours and grain patterns vary from board to board, so each board is\n      slightly different.\n    <\/p>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <aside\n    class=\"dc-guide-final-check\"\n    aria-labelledby=\"dc-guide-care-guidance-title\"\n  >\n    <h3 id=\"dc-guide-care-guidance-title\" class=\"dc-guide-sr-only\">\n      Product care guidance\n    <\/h3>\n\n    <p class=\"dc-guide-secondary\">\n      For guidance on light, humidity, cleaning and storage, see our\n      <a href=\"..\/product-care-guide\/\">Product Care Guide<\/a>.\n    <\/p>\n  <\/aside>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#col-1596338098 > .col-inner {\n  padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\n  margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9596,"parent":2980,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-blank.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3284","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - 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