Boxwood Chess Pieces

Measure the square on your chessboard: the base of the king should take up about three-quarters of the square. For a 5 cm square, choose a king of 8.5 to 9.5 cm; for 5.5 cm, a king of 9.5 to 10.5 cm; for 6 cm, a king of 10.5 to 12 cm.

Boxwood is a dense, fine-grained wood that turns with great precision and keeps crisp detail. Its pale colour makes a natural contrast with ebony or dark-stained wood for the other side. It wears well and develops an attractive patina over the years.

Natural boxwood is pale and creamy; ebonised boxwood is stained black to form the dark side, allowing both sides to be made from the same wood. Ebony, by contrast, is a naturally black wood, denser and more costly: the choice depends on budget and the look you want.