So, you’ve decided to get a wooden chess set for you. Excellent choice! There’s this feel of the weight, smooth grain, and the tactile feel of the wood that makes each game feel more significant. And, not to forget the artisans. They carve beautiful pieces and boards for every type of player from different types of wood for chess. But the tricky part is in selecting the best wood for chess set.
At Royal Chess Mall, even the selection of wood is a part of the art. Here, we will talk about three types of hardwood, revered the most in chess: Ebony, Sheesham, and Rosewood. Let’s explore their characteristics, aesthetics, and other factors that will help you get the best match to your style and budget.
Why Wood Matters More Than You Think?
You can easily find uniformity and variety in mass-produced resin and plastic chess products. However, they fail to replicate the warmth and solidity of wooden chess pieces. And that’s where many people fail to realize the importance of selecting the best wood for making chess pieces. From the satisfying heft of queen to the click/thump of knight landing on f7, and the way light plays with the grains. Every detail changes a game of chess from a mental exercise to a sensory experience.
From the timber’s density to grain pattern, the material affects:
- Visual elegance and grain character
- Weight & balance of pieces
- Durability and resistance to wear
- Feel and experience of playing
- Chess set’s long-term value
And, if you are buying for value, choosing the right wood can turn your purchase into a collectible item.
Now, let’s traverse through different kinds of wood and the unique properties of each.
Note: Since a chess set is made of both light and dark pieces, the light ones are mostly boxwood. The true magic happens on the dark side, which impacts the set’s visual impact, value, and rarity.
The Holy Trinity: Ebony, Sheesham, and Rosewood
Ebony: The Luxury Range of Chess Woods
It’s dense. It’s dark. It’s the gold standard of contrast that gives chess pieces the ultimate expression of luxury. Pick an ebony wood and you will realize its surprising heaviness. Its density gives it a long-lasting durability while the jet-black color gives it a dramatic contrast against lighter pieces and squares. And when polished, ebony gets a marble-like smoothness, further enhancing its value.
Seek wooden sets for the beauty of chess; seek ebony for the beauty of sculpture.
Ebony gets its sculptural beauty from its density. While the hardness allows it to hold intricate details better, it makes it challenging to carve them. Only the patient hands with years of experience and razor-sharp tools can create masterpieces.
The result? Ebony wood chess pieces are no less than sculptures in hand.
Key Characteristics of Ebony
- Deep jet-black color (natural, not stained)
- Extreme density and weight
- Smoothness (like a finished marble)
- Generational longevity with proper care
Best for:
- Serious collectors
- Tournament players
- Buyers seeking luxury and heirloom-quality sets
The next time you hold an authoritative, stable ebony piece in hand, remember that it’s carved from a rare and slow-growing hardwood. And, that’s another reason for the high value and premium pricing of ebony chess sets.
Sheesham: Timeless and Warm Classic
This is where most chess players & lovers begin their collections with. Sheesham is native to Indian sub-continent and features a golden-brown hue with darker streaks. It has been in use for centuries by artisans for perfection of woodworking and carving techniques. With color variations and swirling lines, the grain pattern makes sure no two pieces feel alike. Also, it features moderate density to give each piece a satisfying density.
That’s not all. This wood ages with you. Over time, it develops patina as the color deepens when the natural oils from your hands polish it. This makes a decade-old sheesham more beautiful and richer than a new one. Being easier to work with than ebony, it allows artisans carve various designs from the traditional Staunton to new experimental styles successfully. Even then, craftsmen need to learn special hand-carving techniques, passed down through generations to create beautiful chess sets.
Key Characteristics of Sheesham:
- Rich brown tones
- Natural grain variation
- Strong & moderately weighed hardwood with excellent cracking resistance
- Native Indian wood with sustainably sourcing
Best for:
- Casual play and analysis
- First-time premium buyers
- Gifting
- Players who value authentic heritage & excellent quality
Rosewood: The Versatile Performer
Looking for a perfect balance of density, weight, luxury, and longevity? Rosewood is the answer. Reddish tone with darker streaks and exceptional hardness are its key features. Rosewood chess pieces feel substantial but not too heavy during long plays. In addition, the wood’s density and hardness allow it to hold details without making it a challenge for artisans.
A finished and polished rosewood develops a lustrous sheen for a glass-like smoothness with natural texture. Stability is another characteristic of this wood. It doesn’t get dramatic expansions and contractions with humidity changes, making it the best wood to make chess sets for use in India’s varied climate.
Key Characteristics of Rosewood:
- Deep reddish-brown hues
- Naturally glossy finish
- Distinctive bold grain patterns
- Heavy and solid feel
Best for:
- Players seeking premium chess sets without premium pricing
- Chess sets with visual impact
- Home décor and premium gifting
Visual richness makes rosewood a beautiful pair with boxwood, enhancing board clarity and opulence.
Bud Rosewood
Belonging to the rosewood, the Bud Rosewood is the densest member with the most intense colors. Also known as Padauk or Blood Rosewood, it’s deep red to maroon in color, which goes richer and darker over time. Artisans put its density and heaviness to use by carving intricate details without the fear of chipping. Extracted from the roots, this wood is significantly rarer, making Bud Rosewood chess sets highly collectible.
Comparing the Types of Woods: Ebony vs Sheesham vs Rosewood
Refer this table for a quick comparison of different types of woods to choose the best one for your playing style and needs.
The Royal Chess Mall Difference
A piece of carved wood is as good as the hands that shape it. And, artisans at Royal Chess Mall, deliver results that feel like a blend of art and engineering. Every piece goes through a process of hand turning and carving, preserving the soul of wood. The process begins with ethical timber sourcing, seasoning, turning, carving, sanding, finishing, and final weighting to give the right heft and balance to each piece.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinct personalities of different types of woods can help choose a set that resonates with your personal style and elevates your game. In short, a chess set is a lifetime companion in your journey of game.
Ready to find the perfect match? Explore our handcrafted collection of wooden chess sets. And, if you are interested in the lavish range, our master artisans have prepared a line-up of luxury chess sets for you.
