No advertising on this page. We have no agreements with the shops. We aren't paid for the links or for anything you buy. We haven't held or tried any of them ourselves. The facts come from the shops' own pages, with the date.
What we look for
- Squares of 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches) if the pieces are tournament size. That is FIDE's measure.
- A matte surface that doesn't shine under the lamp.
- Clear but calm contrast, for example brown against light wood or cream.
- Rubber or felt underneath, so that the board doesn't slide.
Watch out: Measure the square, not the whole board. Two boards that are both 50 cm (20 inches) across can have squares of different sizes, depending on how wide the border is.
Five to choose from
In no particular order. Every shop here ships to the United States, the United Kingdom and most of Europe. The House of Staunton is in the United States, The Chess Shop in the United Kingdom. If the shop is in another country, you may have to pay import duty or tax when the parcel arrives. More on how to choose is in the guide to buying a chess set.
Regulation Vinyl Tournament Chess Board – 2.25" Squares
A vinyl board that rolls up, with square corners and letters and numbers on all four sides. The light squares are buff, the dark ones green or one of eight other colors. The shop writes that it resists tears, spills and dirt.
- Squares
- 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
- Size
- 20 × 20 in
- Material
- Vinyl
Our view The club, the school and the bag. It rolls up, and squares of 2.25 inches suit tournament-size pieces. The same board comes with the regulation set on the shelf of chess sets.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)Regulation Silicone Tournament Chess Board – 2.25" Squares
A silicone board that rolls up, with rounded corners and letters and numbers on all four sides. The light squares are natural, the dark ones brown, green or one of eight other colors. The shop writes that it always lies flat.
- Squares
- 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
- Size
- 20 × 20 in
- Material
- Silicone
Our view Anyone who wants a board that rolls up without curling at the corners. Brown against natural is the calm contrast FIDE describes; the brighter colors are livelier than that.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)Regular Sapele and Sycamore Chess Board (REG 1)
Sunrise
A wooden board with sapele and sycamore veneers and a sapele edge, in three square sizes. The shop calls it its most popular board, and writes that the 50 mm squares suit pieces with a 3.75-inch king.
- Squares
- 45, 50 or 58 mm (1.8, 2.0 or 2.3 in)
- Size, 50 mm squares
- 480 × 480 × 13 mm
- Wood
- Sapele and sycamore veneers
Our view The club or the home, for anyone who wants a wooden board in tournament size without paying for luxury. The same board comes with the Classic Staunton set on the shelf of chess sets.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)Standard Walnut and Maple Chess Board (ST1)
Totalwell
A wooden board with walnut and maple veneers and a maple edge, in three square sizes. The board with 55 mm squares has a black edge, and the shop writes that it suits pieces with a 4-inch king.
- Squares
- 45, 50 or 55 mm (1.8, 2.0 or 2.2 in)
- Size, 55 mm squares
- 520 × 520 × 13 mm
- Wood
- Walnut and maple veneers
Our view With 55 mm squares, pieces with a king of 95 mm or a little bigger, at home or at the club. Walnut against maple is the brown and light contrast FIDE describes.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)Bird's Eye Maple and Greenwood Standard Traditional Chess Board
A veneered wooden board made in Spain, with dark squares of greenwood, light squares of bird's-eye maple and a bird's-eye maple frame. It is half an inch thick and has a satin finish.
- Squares
- From 1.875 to 2.75 in (4.8 to 7.0 cm)
- Size, 2.25-inch squares
- 22.5 × 22.5 in
- Thickness
- 0.5 in
- Finish
- Satin
Our view The living room, for anyone who wants a board that is beautiful to look at even when no one is playing. For tournament-size pieces, choose the 2.25-inch squares (5.7 cm).
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)Frequently asked questions
How big should the squares on a chess board be?
FIDE gives 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches) per side for tournament boards, and four pawns should fit on one square. So squares of 5–6 cm suit pieces with a 95 mm (3.7-inch) king. Smaller pieces go with smaller squares.
Does a chess board need letters and numbers around the edge?
No. FIDE's rules for the board say nothing about coordinates. They help when you are learning notation, but many fine boards have none.
Which way should the board face?
With a light square in the corner nearest you on the right. That goes for both players.