Which wood should you choose for a chess board and chess pieces? The complete guide to wood types

For chess pieces, boxwood is the benchmark: pale, dense and very fine-grained, it is traditionally paired with ebony or rosewood for the dark pieces. For the board, the maple (light squares) and walnut or mahogany (dark squares) duo offers the best contrast and excellent long-term durability. Here’s how to choose, wood by wood.

Updated on 24 September 2026 · By Delphine D., Le Palais des Échecs editorial team

Why wood remains the material of choice for chess sets

The first set in the Staunton format, sold in London in 1849, was already turned from boxwood and ebony. More than 175 years on, wood remains the reference material, in clubs and at home alike, for three very practical reasons:

• Touch and weight: a dense, weighted, felted wooden piece is handled with precision and set down silently.
• Readability: the natural contrast between a light wood and a dark wood is less tiring on the eye than glossy plastic, even after several hours of play.
• Longevity: well cared for, a wooden chess set develops a patina over time instead of wearing out. It’s an object you keep, and pass on.

Our shop’s figures confirm this: across more than 3,600 orders placed at Le Palais des Échecs, the four most common woods in the sets sold are, in order, boxwood, maple, walnut and rosewood, followed by mahogany.

Which wood for chess pieces?

A chess piece is turned (shaft, base, collar) then carved (the knight’s head, the rook’s battlements, the bishop’s mitre). This calls for a wood that is dense, consistent and fine-grained, holding sharp edges without splitting. Four woods stand out.

Boxwood, the benchmark for white pieces

Boxwood is a pale yellow wood, very dense (around 0.9 to 1 g/cm³) and so fine-grained it looks almost smooth. It grows very slowly, which explains its density. It’s the wood that allows the most precise carving: a boxwood knight keeps the detail of its mane and eyes. It equips the vast majority of quality Staunton chess sets on the light side, and it is the wood most present in our sales.

Ebony, and ebonised boxwood

Ebony is absolute black: a wood so dense (1 to 1.2 g/cm³) that it sinks in water, with a deep, almost mineral polish. Paired with boxwood, it forms the historic Staunton combination. Its rarity comes at a price, and several ebony species are now protected.

This is why many black pieces are made from ebonised boxwood: boxwood dyed black right through. The look is very close, the weight and feel are those of boxwood, and the price is noticeably gentler. This is not a flaw, provided it is clearly stated: a reputable seller always specifies “ebony” or “ebonised boxwood”. To tell them apart, look at the base of a piece or a scratch: natural ebony shows fine brown streaks, while ebonised boxwood reveals a lighter core beneath.

Rosewood, for warm dark pieces

Under the name “rosewood”, the chess world most often uses Indian rosewoods such as sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo). Reddish brown, sometimes golden, it gives dark pieces a warmth that ebony lacks. Against boxwood, the contrast remains excellent, with a softer, more “woody” look. It’s one of our customers’ favourite choices, notably in the Grand Championship Set, our best seller.

Palisander and its root, for exceptional models

Palisander offers dramatic dark veining; its root (the gnarled part at the base of the trunk) creates swirling patterns, different on every piece. It is reserved for high-end sets, such as this professional Staunton set in root-cut palisander. Worth knowing: most palisander species (genus Dalbergia) are listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates their international trade. This is a mark of rarity, and one more reason to buy from a shop that knows where its woods come from. To discover other exceptional materials such as onyx, marble or bronze, see our guide to luxury chess sets.’ … Stone lovers will also find what they’re looking for in our selection of marble chess sets, beyond the wood types covered here.

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Which wood for the chess board?

For the board, priorities shift: you need two strongly contrasting woods, stable over time, that don’t reflect too much light. Wooden chess boards almost always pair a light wood with a dark wood. The same principles of contrast and stability also guide the choice of a wooden backgammon board.

• Maple (light squares): creamy, bright, with a subtle grain. It’s the standard for light squares, in clubs and in high-end sets alike.
• Walnut (dark squares): deep, warm brown. The walnut-and-maple duo is the most classic and versatile, as seen on this walnut and maple chess board.
• Mahogany (dark squares and frames): reddish brown, elegant, often used for framing and storage boxes.
• Wenge (dark squares): almost black, strikingly graphic, for maximum contrast and a contemporary style.
• Olive wood and burrs (exceptional models): olive wood has pronounced veining, never the same from one board to the next; burrs (growths on the trunk) create rippling patterns. See this rosewood set with an olive burr chess board.

Veneer, marquetry or solid wood?

Contrary to popular belief, most beautiful chess boards are not made of solid wood. The squares are veneers (thin sheets of fine wood) assembled as marquetry and glued onto a stable core. This is not a cost-saving shortcut: an entirely solid board reacts more to changes in humidity and can warp or crack over time. Veneer allows the finest woods to be used while guaranteeing a perfectly flat board. Solid wood is mainly justified for frames, storage boxes and certain tables.

Comparing wood types for chess

Density figures are indicative: they vary depending on the wood’s origin and seasoning.

How to pair the pieces with the board

A handsome set is, above all, a coherent whole. Three criteria are enough:

1. Contrast: boxwood and rosewood pieces stand out better on a maple and walnut board than on a board of a similar tone. Avoid dark pieces on squares that are almost as dark.
2. Size: measure the king’s base and add a quarter to get the minimum square size. A king with a 4 cm base diameter needs squares of at least 5 cm. For official competition, FIDE recommends a king around 9.5 cm tall with squares of 5 to 6 cm. Our guide to chess board sizes covers all the correspondences.
3. Style: classic Staunton pieces call for a sober board; pieces with modern lines can carry a more graphic board (wenge, burr).

Often the simplest option is to choose a wooden chess board with matching pieces: size, tones and finishes are designed together.

How to recognise a quality wooden set

To go further, see our 7 criteria for choosing a quality chess set and our price guide by budget.

Caring for a wooden chess set

• Dust the pieces and the board with a soft, dry cloth. No water, no household cleaning products.
• Keep the set away from direct sunlight, which darkens or fades the wood, and from radiators, which dry it out.
• Aim for stable humidity, ideally between 45 and 60%: it’s sudden swings that make the wood move.
• Feed the pieces once or twice a year with a thin layer of colourless wax, then buff.
• Store the pieces in their storage box, separated, to avoid knocks between the knights’ heads.

Our favourites by wood type

Frequently asked questions

Which wood is best for a chess board?

Maple for the light squares and walnut or mahogany for the dark squares: this is the most popular pairing, as it offers sharp contrast, good stability and a warm finish. Wenge suits a bolder contrast, while olive wood and burrs make for an exceptional board.

What is the best wood for chess pieces?

Boxwood, for the light pieces: it is dense, very fine-grained and can be carved with great precision. For dark pieces, ebony is the most prestigious; rosewood and ebonised boxwood are excellent alternatives.

What is ebonised boxwood?

It is boxwood dyed black right through. It reproduces the look of ebony with the weight and fineness of boxwood, at a more affordable price. A reputable shop will always state this clearly.

Is a solid wood chess board better?

Not necessarily. A board veneered in fine wood glued onto a stable core stays flatter over time than a solid board, which is more sensitive to humidity. Solid wood is mainly worthwhile for frames, storage boxes and tables.

How do you clean a wooden chess set?

With a soft, dry cloth, with no water or household cleaning products. Once or twice a year, a thin layer of colourless wax feeds the wood and restores its shine.

Can a wooden chess board be personalised?

Yes. Many chess boards and backgammon sets can take an engraved plaque (initials, date, message): see our models compatible with personalised engraving. It’s a touch much appreciated for a wedding gift or a retirement gift. Also discover our guide to choosing a Christmas gift according to the player’s profile and budget.