As part of retirement, I want to learn how to play chess and go. I know the basics but want to learn how to play "well" - give an average amateur some competition.

Looking for recommendations for both chess and Go boards / sets. I want something decent but not too expensive. I'm thinking $50-100? Solid wood (what type of wood is good?)? Non-folding (or is folding okay / recommended?)? Chess pieces - decent, larger, weighty; don't want 1" generic, lightweight plastic pieces.

Any recommendations - brand or type or what to look for? Where to buy?

Not sure about availability of decent Go sets here. May need to buy next time I go to Japan. But a decent chess set, made in USA or EU (or some first world, non-chicom country) should be readily available here somewhere. Right?

I’m a chess fanatic, have custom made pieces and tables etc.

The best board in the US right now is a JLP 2” squares Maple/Walnut board from ChessHouse.com , but these are also fantastic:

https://jkcreativewood.com/product/chess-board/

Get the 2” board, that’s the standard chess size.

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Nice. Thanks! Expensive yet reasonable. I may splurge here.

I’ll try checking some local thrift store as well.

Bought THIS from Amazon 11 years ago. Hand made in Poland. We've played tens of thousands of games on it. Sits right on our dining room table. We play at every meal (weird huh?, but fun, and keeps eyes away from phones).

My youngest son, now almost 21, is unbeatable in our family. And I've leaked enough tips to my wife that she's getting me 20-30% of the time. :/

Generally, I like premium quality stuff. I'm a cool stuff kind of guy. But I've come to love this little set. So I figured I'd let folks know about it.

I made a chess table in 9th grade woodshop (1974) still standing strong!

Regarding pieces, the vast majority are made in India, with some made in Poland, Peru, Slovenia, Ukraine and Spain, among others.

They aren’t cheap, but I can make some recommendations based on budget. With a board that has 2” squares, a king height of around 3.75” is recommended.

US Chess

I have this portable roll up set for probably 25 years now. Link click. I like it a lot.
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Originally posted by OKCGene:
US Chess
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That’s the US Chess Federation run by “House of Staunton”, but most of their products are made in China or India. Raises money for the USCF, but not super high quality in general (some sets excepted).

For a great board, however, nowhere close. I’ve spent easily $4k+ on various chess boards by now

Checked the local antique store (pretty big - walmart size). No joy.

Looking at the suggestions above still.

Thanks for the piece size suggestion - i was wondering about that.

Was looking to keep this under $100 but sounds like I should expect to pay about $200+ for something decent and not chicom.

Chesshouse and House of Staunton for chess stuff.

I have an expensive Go board, shell and slate stones, and Keyaki bowls that I purchased many years ago from Samarkand(Janice Kim). I don't know if they are still in business but another good place for Go supplies is Yellow Mountain Imports.

Thanks for the Go suggestions! I'll search for them.

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Originally posted by Ogie:
...another good place for Go supplies is Yellow Mountain Imports.

Interesting site. I may have to look into getting a Chess Chess set...brings back memories from my childhood

I have to admit I didn't even know that the game of Japanese chess existed

And a nice place to play chess online is lichess.org

I played a lot of Chess through my late teen days but haven't done so for about 50 years.
A great game but must be hard to find people that are familiar with the game today.
Some of those boards are really nice.

I watch the Agadmator channel regularly. It seems reasonable that the various paper and online magazines would have a classified section for sets. You may need to subscribe for access.

If, in a folly, I wanted to attempt making a chess board using 2" tiles inlayed into a (16x16") recess in a wood board, what tool would I use to make the recess? A router? And would it be difficult to make the recess such that the tiles are level?

To get a board prepped for inlaid tiles, I'd find the nearest Woodcraft store and ask them if they knew anyone that did side work with a CNC router. I bet if one of the staff didn't do it they'd know someone who did.

You could also buy a nice piece of wood there for the project and a corner chisel (which you'll need to square up the router cuts)

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Woodcraft

Thanks. Will look them up. Someone mentioned a store called Rockler too. Similar?

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Chess and Go board

Made a chess board when I was in 9th grade as well, think I might still have it..

Googlized it and found this one, packs up for carry, magnetic and ties to an app you can play against the computer (shall we play a game) or other players, pretty cool.

Chessnut

Yes, Rockler is similar to Woodcraft.