ChessboArt: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

ChessboArt is a small, ambitious workshop — not a factory. We're built around chess, wood, craftsmanship, and design, and every board that leaves here has been through the hands of the same small team. Buying from us means direct contact with the owner, not a support queue. That also means we don't ship within 24 hours unless it's been arranged in advance — and occasionally we're away representing ChessboArt at major chess events (Global Chess Festival, the Grand Chess Tour, the Chess Olympiad, European Championships), so response and dispatch times can vary slightly. We always let you know if that's the case.

We offer two ways to own a ChessboArt board. Ready to Ship boards already exist — handcrafted for exhibitions, showrooms, and demonstrations — and typically leave our workshop within 3–8 business days. The Configurator lets you design your own board from scratch — wood species, pieces, and personalization — built specifically for you in approximately 6 weeks. About 75% of our orders go through the Configurator. Both paths use the same materials, craftsmanship, and pricing — the only difference is timing.

Each piece was originally crafted for exhibitions, showrooms, or demonstrations — 100% genuine ChessboArt craftsmanship, simply waiting for its wall. Choosing one is the fastest way to own a ChessboArt board without waiting for a full custom build.

If you want the fastest route and are happy with what's currently available, choose Ready to Ship. If you want a specific wood, piece style, or engraving built exactly to your preference and can allow around 6 weeks, the Configurator is the better fit — that's where most of our collectors go.

A ChessboArt board is a full-size, fully playable vertical chessboard designed for permanent or semi-permanent wall installation. It is not a demonstration board, a novelty item, or a decorative replica. Every board is engineered for real gameplay, analysis, and long-term use — while functioning as a considered interior object at the same time.

Each board contains an array of embedded magnetic points beneath the playing surface. Every chess piece is fitted with two neodymium magnets in the base, calibrated to interact with the board's magnetic field. This produces what we call an "active-centering" effect: pieces are naturally pulled toward the geometric center of each square, rotation after placement is minimized, and rows remain visually aligned during play. The result is stable, tactile vertical chess — not a novelty magnet, but an engineered system developed specifically for wall-mounted gameplay.

Mass-market magnetic sets are typically made from lightweight composites, use weak single magnets, and are intended for travel or casual tabletop use — not wall mounting. ChessboArt boards are solid hardwood objects, built to last decades, with a proprietary dual-magnet system engineered for vertical play. The design, engineering, and materials are not comparable categories.

No. Demonstration boards are lightweight, flat teaching tools used in classrooms and lectures. ChessboArt boards are heavy, solid objects designed for actual play and permanent installation. They serve a completely different function.

Boards are manufactured from solid hardwoods — primarily American walnut, ash, oak, and maple. We do not use veneers, MDF cores, or low-density composites. Chess pieces are crafted from solid wood or resin depending on the model. All materials are selected for long-term durability and visual quality, not cost reduction.

Some ChessboArt boards combine solid hardwood with artistic epoxy resin — poured, cured, and finished by hand. The resin allows for unique visual effects: color gradients, translucency, embedded elements. Each epoxy board is a one-of-a-kind object. The magnetic system and structural engineering remain identical to standard wooden boards.

Not identical — and that's by design. We work almost entirely in solid wood, and every piece of wood is different: grain, colour, and figure vary naturally from tree to tree. You'll receive the species and configuration you ordered, built by us to our own aesthetic and standards — but no two boards are ever perfectly identical, because we're a workshop, not a factory. The same is true of our epoxy resin work: resin pours and cures a little differently every time, producing unique colour gradients and patterns. That unpredictability is part of what makes each piece one-of-a-kind — not a flaw to correct.

Solid hardwood boards are substantial objects — depending on size and model, typical boards weigh between 4 and 12 kg. Mounting uses concealed cleats or brackets engineered to support the full weight and maintain precise vertical alignment. Standard wall fixings (appropriate for the wall type) are used. We provide full mounting guidance with every board.

Yes. The cleat mounting system allows boards to be removed, relocated, and reinstalled cleanly. Many clients move their boards between homes or offices over the years.

Indefinitely, with basic care. Solid wood surfaces can be refinished, repaired, and restored. The magnetic system is not subject to wear under normal use. These objects are designed as long-term functional artifacts, not products with planned obsolescence.

Yes. Bespoke orders are a core part of what we do — configure dimensions, wood species, finish, piece style, and surface treatment through our Configurator. For architectural or interior design projects, we work directly with clients and designers to develop boards that fit specific spatial and aesthetic requirements.

Standard options include American walnut, ash, oak, and maple. For bespoke orders, other species can be sourced depending on availability and project requirements. We are happy to discuss options and send material samples on request.

Start through the Build Your Wall Chess Set configurator, or contact us directly via the contact page. We'll discuss your requirements, confirm specifications and pricing, and begin production after deposit. We maintain direct communication throughout the process.

Every bespoke board is made to order — we don't hold configurator stock, each one is built specifically for you. Standard production time is approximately 6 weeks from order confirmation. Adding epoxy resin finishing, custom colour fill, or engraving typically adds up to 1 extra week. Large-format or unusually complex pieces may require longer — we confirm the timeline clearly before production begins. Looking for something sooner? Browse our Ready to Ship collection instead.

Yes. We produce limited collector's editions and autographed boards in collaboration with figures from the international chess world. These are made in very small quantities. Contact us for current availability.

Every clock we sell is checked, wound, and confirmed working before it leaves our workshop. Beyond that, we offer two separate, optional services, priced individually: Mechanical Service — Inspection, Lubrication & Regulation (from €50, includes a service certificate and a 12-month warranty on ChessboArt clocks), and Wood Case Refinishing (€40, exterior sanding and oil/wax finish — we don't open the case for this service). We don't apply these automatically to every clock: to know what a mechanism actually needs, we have to open it up and inspect it physically, and rare parts sometimes require a donor clock or a custom quote — until then, we genuinely can't diagnose or price the work. Many collectors also specifically prefer the original, untouched character of an unserviced vintage piece. Add either service before or after your order, whenever you're ready.

If a clock is listed with a single unit available, the photos show the actual clock you'll receive. When several units of the same model are in stock, they'll be in similar condition and appearance — but since we mainly sell vintage and antique wooden chess clocks, small natural variations between individual pieces are normal. These are old, individually-sourced objects, not new mass-produced ones.

Ready to Ship products can be ordered directly through the shop. For a custom build, use the Configurator or contact us directly.

We accept major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, and bank transfer. All transactions are encrypted and processed securely. For bespoke orders, a deposit is required to begin production.

Changes and cancellations are possible within 24 hours of placement, provided production or customization has not yet begun. Please contact us immediately. For bespoke orders in progress, cancellation terms are agreed individually at the time of order.

Yes. We ship worldwide from Poland. ChessboArt boards and clocks have been delivered to customers across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and beyond. Everything is packed professionally for safe international transport.

Ready to Ship boards are typically dispatched within 3 to 8 business days — each one is personally inspected, packed, and prepared by our small team. If we're travelling for a chess event, dispatch may occasionally take a little longer; we'll always keep you informed. Custom and bespoke orders through the Configurator have a standard 6-week lead time — see the Bespoke section above.

Shipping costs depend on destination, package weight, and dimensions. Exact costs are calculated and displayed at checkout before payment. For large or heavy boards, we may contact you to confirm the best shipping option.

For US orders, duties are already included in your price — nothing more to pay on delivery. For Norway and Switzerland, we currently cover VAT and import duties as part of a limited introductory offer. For other destinations outside the EU, customs duties and import taxes may apply and are the responsibility of the recipient — we recommend checking your local import regulations for wooden goods before ordering.

Once dispatched, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number and carrier link.

Wipe with a soft, dry or lightly dampened cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, abrasive materials, and prolonged direct sunlight. For oiled finishes, periodic re-oiling (once or twice a year) keeps the wood in optimal condition. We provide specific care guidance with every board.

Yes. This is one of the core advantages of solid hardwood construction. Scratches, marks, and surface wear can be sanded and refinished — restoring the board to its original condition. This is not possible with veneered or composite boards.

Neodymium magnets do not degrade under normal use. The magnetic system is embedded within the board structure and is not subject to mechanical wear. Under standard indoor conditions, performance does not diminish over time.

Contact us. In most cases we can supply replacement pieces calibrated to your specific board's magnetic system. We keep records of board configurations for this purpose.

Ready to Ship products can be returned within 14 days of receipt, provided they are undamaged and in original packaging. Custom and bespoke orders are non-returnable unless defective. Full details are available in our Return Policy.

Contact us immediately with photos of the damage and packaging. We will assess the situation and arrange repair, replacement, or refund as appropriate. We take packaging seriously — damage in transit is rare, but we handle it promptly when it occurs.