Chess/checkerboard furniture

FIDE Standards for Chess Furniture

FIDE (International Chess Federation) has clear recommendations for playing equipment to ensure equal and comfortable conditions for all players.

• Chess tables:

• Dimensions: The length of the table should be 110 cm (with a tolerance of ±15%) and the width should be 85 cm (with a tolerance of ±5%). This ensures that each player has at least 15 cm of free space on the side of the board. The height of the table should be 74 cm.
• Construction: It is recommended that tables be sturdy, stable and immobile to avoid any vibrations that could disturb players. If the board is not built into the table, it must be securely fastened.
• Materials: Manufacturers use a variety of materials, from solid wood (ash, walnut) to metal frames with laminated countertops.

• Стільці:

• Comfort and stability: Chairs should be comfortable and stable, as players will be spending many hours in them. FIDE emphasizes the importance of choosing chairs that do not make noise when moving. This is critical, as any extraneous sound can be distracting to players.
• Ergonomics: The height of chairs should match the height of tables to ensure proper body posture and minimize fatigue.

Game lighting zones

Proper lighting is a key factor affecting the visual concentration and overall comfort of players. Insufficient or too bright lighting can cause eye fatigue and headaches, which will negatively affect the quality of the game.

• General lighting: The competition hall should be well lit with general diffused light, evenly distributed over the entire area. This helps to avoid shadows and glare on the board.
• Local lighting: Additionally, it is recommended to install local lighting directly above each table to provide bright but soft light specifically on the playing field.
• Requirements:
• Lighting level: The recommended lighting level on the playing surface is at least 500 lux.
• Color temperature: The light should have a neutral or cool color temperature (around 4000-5000 K), which promotes concentration.
• No glare: Light sources should be positioned to avoid glare from the varnished surfaces of the board and figures.

Vyrobniki ta vartіst

There are many manufacturers on the market that offer specialized chess furniture.

• Mass production: Simple models of tables and chairs for chess clubs and schools can be purchased for prices ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 hryvnias per set. They are manufactured by both large and small furniture factories.
• Specialized brands: Companies specializing in chess equipment offer higher quality and more expensive products, often made of natural wood and handmade. The cost of such tables can start from 20,000-30,000 hryvnias and reach significantly higher amounts for exclusive models.
• Examples: In Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, there are workshops that produce custom-made chess furniture, taking into account all standards. They usually offer individual solutions and higher quality.

1. Simple/Budget (Mass Production)

This furniture is designed for chess clubs, schools and amateur tournaments, where functionality and an affordable price are important.

• Description: Tables usually have a metal frame or are made of particleboard/MDF. Table tops can be laminated or plywood with a board pattern. Chairs are usually standard, without special ergonomic features, often with plastic or wooden seats.
• Approximate cost: From 5,000 to 15,000 UAH per table.
• Manufacturers:
• Ukraine: "IgroSport", "TM Elen Elite" (can produce both budget and more expensive models), as well as smaller furniture workshops that work to order.
• Foreign: Many European companies specializing in sports equipment are usually small German or Polish firms that are not always known to the general public.

2. Middle class (Standards for tournaments)

This furniture meets FIDE standards and is used in regional and national competitions.

• Description: Tables are made of higher quality materials, such as natural wood (beech, ash). They have a stable, sturdy construction, often with height adjustment or additional sections for a clock and a scoreboard. Chairs are more ergonomic, with soft seats and backs, allowing players to feel comfortable during long games.
• Approximate cost: From 20,000 to 50,000 UAH per table.
• Manufacturers:
• Ukraine: Furniture factory "Luch" (manufactures durable and high-quality furniture for schools and clubs), workshop "Shahy" (specializes in wooden products).
• Foreign:
• Italfama (Italy): A well-known manufacturer of chess equipment that offers high-quality wooden tables.
• Rechapados Ferrer (Spain): Although they are better known for their chess boards, they also produce specialized tables.
• DGT (Netherlands): Although primarily a manufacturer of electronic whiteboards, they also manufacture specialized tables for their systems that meet high standards.

3. Exclusive/Manual robot (Premium class)

Ці Viruses are true masterpieces of furniture art, suitable for elite tournaments, private collections or as elite gifts.

• Description: Made to order from rare and expensive wood species (ebony, walnut, mahogany, zebrano). Often decorated with carvings, inlays, metal or mother-of-pearl elements. Each product is unique. The chairs are designed individually to ensure maximum comfort and emphasize the exclusivity of the table.
• Approximate cost: From 50,000 UAH and above, to several hundred thousand UAH, depending on complexity and materials.
• Manufacturers:
• Ukraine: Private workshops specializing in the production of exclusive handmade furniture. For example, craftsmen represented on the "Etsy" platform or similar services, where they sell their unique products all over the world.
• Foreign:
• Purling London (UK): Known for their designer and luxurious chess sets, including tables.
• House of Staunton (USA): One of the world's most famous manufacturers of elite chess pieces and tables. Their products are considered the benchmark of quality.

Here are examples of elite, exclusive chess tables from famous world manufacturers:

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Italfama: Tables with inlay and unique materials

• Description: The Italian brand Italfama is famous for its luxurious classic drinks. Their wooden tables are a masterful blend of traditional techniques and expensive materials. They are made from valuable types of wood, such as elm, pine or ebony, with viscosity inlay, mother-of-pearl and other types of wood (for example, maple and javir). All models have bases made of marmur or onyx, and the legs can be split or metal. Find a table in the Revival style with gilded elements and detailed wood carvings that create a sense of mystique for the decorative turntable.

The House of Staunton: Viruses from rare wood

• Description: This American company is one of the leaders in the world in producing high-quality checker sets. Their tables are the pinnacle of classical elegance. Stinks are prepared from the most expensive types of wood: ebony (ebony), rosewood, sandalwood. The distinctive feature of these tables is their meticulous workmanship and deep, richly textured material. The table may be made of solid wood, and the frames of the board may be of a different species. Find yourself a table made of deep dark brown peas, a baby girl with a bird's eye made of maple, which creates a marvelous visual effect.

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