Traditional Wooden Games: Chess, Backgammon, Draughts Guide

Traditional wooden games are enjoying a remarkable revival. In a world of screens and disposable plastic, solid wood embodies authenticity, durability and sensory pleasure. Chess, backgammon, dominoes, draughts: these games have endured through the centuries because they are as beautiful as they are stimulating.

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Why choose a wooden game?

🌳 Durability

A solid wood game is passed down from generation to generation. Unlike plastic, which cracks and fades, wood develops a patina over time and gains character. A well cared-for wooden chess set will last 20 to 50 years.

✍ Touch and pleasure

Wood offers a warm, natural feel that plastic or metal simply cannot replicate. The weight of solid wood pieces, the felted glide across the board, the satisfying click of a pawn set down: it’s a complete sensory experience.

🏠 Decoration

A walnut storage box, a marquetry chess board, a mahogany backgammon set: these games are decorative pieces in their own right. Placed on a coffee table, they invite you to play and enhance any interior.

🌿 Environmentally friendly

Wood is a natural, renewable and biodegradable material. Our European suppliers use timber from sustainably managed forests. Choosing a wooden game is also a gesture towards the planet.

Traditional wooden games

Game	Players	Duration	Age	Our collection
Chess	2	30 min – 3h	6+	Complete chess sets
Backgammon	2	15-30 min	8+	Backgammon sets
Draughts	2	15-30 min	6+	Draughts sets
Dominoes	2-6	15-30 min	5+	Dominoes
Mahjong	4	30-60 min	10+	Mahjong

How to choose the right wood?

The quality of a wooden game depends on the type of wood used and the manufacturing technique:

Solid wood vs glued wood: Always insist on solid wood. Some manufacturers glue wood chippings together, and the pieces crack after a few months. Our games are made from carefully selected solid wood. Beware of “ebony” games priced at €30.

💎 For chess

Ebony, rosewood, boxwood for the pieces. Walnut and maple for marquetry chess boards. Read our article on craftsmanship.

🌳 For backgammon

Walnut, mahogany, olive wood for the boxes. Maple and walnut marquetry on the inside. Read our backgammon buying guide.

Caring for your wooden games

★ Waxing

Wax your game once or twice a year with a quality paste wax (such as Minwax). Never use liquid wax or silicone-based wax. Allow to dry, then buff with a soft cotton cloth.

💧 Humidity

Wood reacts to changes in temperature and humidity. Avoid storing your games near a radiator or in direct sunlight. A chess board with built-in storage helps protect your pieces.

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Replacement pieces: for all our fine wood games, we offer individual replacement pieces. Send us an original piece so we can match it exactly. Contact us for a quote.