A chess table is a table built with features to make it useful for playing the game of chess. A chess board is usually integral to the table top and often two drawers are provided to hold the pieces when not in use. Chess tables can be extremely decorative, well made and potentially expensive pieces of furniture. Most chess tables have the board inlaid or engraved though cheaper tables may have it painted on.
A chess table is not necessary to play chess and is not restricted only to playing chess, but many chess players enjoy owning one as a decorative piece of furniture and a mark of their interest in the game, much as they feel about owning an attractive or fancy set of chess pieces.
Chess tables are typically made of solid wood with rosewood, cedar, and mahogany being the most popular. Exotic wood versions are also available.
Many cities and universities have chess tables in their parks and gardens. Many coffeehouses also have chess tables. Most are the size of a normal picnic table, although some are larger than life sets that use pieces that are about the size of a small barrel.
Famous quotes containing the words chess and/or table:
“Today’s fathers and mothers—with only the American dream for guidance—extend and overextend themselves, physically, emotionally, and financially, during the best years of their lives to ensure that their children will grow up prepared to do better and go further than they did.”
—Stella Chess (20th century)
“Many a time I have seen my mother leap up from the dinner table to engage the swarming flies with an improvised punkah, and heard her rejoice and give humble thanks simultaneously that Baltimore was not the sinkhole that Washington was.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)