How to Select Wood Chess Pieces

April 9, 2010
Tags: Product Reviews, New, Etc

Which Type of Wood Should I Select for My Chess Pieces?
There are many different varieties of wood available for wood chess pieces at Wholesale Chess. They range from the popular rosewood, to economic sheesham and luxurious ebony. Here’s a brief explanation of each of the main wood types available at Wholesale Chess:

Red Sandalwood
Deeply grained and even more reddish than rosewood, red sandalwood is hard, dense, and ideal for premier wood chess sets. You won’t find this wood often – but it’s worth every penny you’ll pay for it.

Rosewood
The deep, rich brown with reddish grains of the Rosewood makes it among the most elegant of wood types for chess pieces. Gradually becoming increasingly rare, the value and price of rosewood continues to rise each year.

Ebony
One of the most-desired, luxuries types available for standard wood chess pieces. Ebony is a very dense and heavy wood, and when polished can take on a deep black appearance. The value and cost for ebony continues to rise each year. One downside to ebony is their tendency toward cracking and warping due to the extreme density of the pieces.

Ebonized
Be sure to recognize the difference between ebony and ebonized wood chess pieces. Ebony is the real deal – an actual black, valuable, dense wood. Ebonized pieces are a different wood (often boxwood) that has been lacquered or darkened so as to look and feel similar to ebony pieces. Still beautiful and functional, these pieces are more cost effective for the chess player on a limited budget.

Boxwood
Originating from the boxwood tree, this type is the most common among wood chess pieces. The color and grain tends to be limited in variation. The density of the wood lends itself well to the intricate detail demanded by beautiful Knights.

Sheesham
Extremely abundant in India, sheesham wood comes as one of the most economic wood options for your chess pieces. The attractive grain and high density of the wood make it very popular and widely used. One major plus to sheesham pieces is they are less likely to crack as the more expensive ebony and sandalwood pieces.

How do I Care for My Wood Chess Pieces?
Simply put, treat your nice wood chess pieces as you would fine furniture. First, and above all, avoid leaving them in direct sunlight and keep them away from extreme levels of humidity. A nice chess box or bag will help keep the humidity away.

Second, many fine wood chess pieces are finished with a nature wax polish that requires careful attention. Do not use harsh detergents to clean them – the wax doesn’t play well with solvent based cleaners. For a longer, polished look – keep your pieces away from dusty environments and use a clean dry cloth to wipe them clean after use.