Chess Board Project

March 16th 2021

Have you ever wanted a small chess set to keep in a backpack that wasn't total garbage? Because I have.

With chess having a moment in the wake of the Netflix hit show Queen's Gambit, I thought no time like the present to jump on the band wagon. I have a few chess sets laying around but nothing that I could easily take to the park or on a trip that was nice. Most of the small sets I've owned have been plastic affairs with chintzy magnets that left one feeling like they hadn't really lived up to their full potential in life. I was looking for something that felt substantial if diminutive.

While pondering sets on amazon I was rudely interrupted by my screaming lovely children. I thought to myself, "I wish I was in the garage right now." So I merged two ideas, bought some wood and spent the spare hours over the next few weeks with some rudimentary hand tools sawing and chiseling away.

The result was a satisfactory little set. Not perfect, but decent. I've of course had to convince myself that I am a fan of the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. But it will be playable.

The pieces were turned on a Dremel tool with a screw attachment and will have nice strong magnets set into the base. Under each tile is a small square of sheet metal. It's made of walnut, cherry and maple and is a standard folding types that keeps the pieces inside.

Once I completed the set and played the first game with my son my dog Tito proceeded to eat the white queen. We have two dogs, one them is a good boy.