Chess is a fun strategy game. In addition to bringing joy, you and your opponent must play smart to win the game. However, you don't have to be a chess grandmaster (or a good carpenter) to make your own chessboard to play on. All you need is some tools and a quality wooden board or 2 sheets of black and white paper. With patience and the right measurements, you can play chess with friends on a homemade chessboard.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Wooden Chessboard
Step 1. Use wooden planks of light and dark colors that are about 3 cm thick
Make alternating chessboard patterns using 2 different wood colors. Choose one board with a light color, and another board with a dark color, with the same thickness.
- For example, you can use rosewood and teak, or meranti and mahogany.
- Get quality wood planks for the chessboard at a hardware store or lumber shop.
Step 2. Measure and cut the wooden planks into 4 strips of about 50 cm in size using a circular saw (electric saw with a round eye)
Use a ruler or tape measure and a pencil to mark areas to cut. Carefully cut the plank to the size you made using a circular saw.
- Be careful when cutting wood planks with a circular saw. Follow the lines you draw and don't act in a hurry.
- You don't have to worry about the width of the board as it will be reduced to size later.
Step 3. Mark the lines and cut the board into strips about 5 cm wide
Use a ruler or tape measure to mark the cut line on the wood strip. Cut the plank into even sticks using a circular saw so that you get 8 strips of wood. Four light colored stripes and 4 dark stripes.
- When you leave a small part of the board, you may find it difficult to cut it with a circular saw. Make the cuts very carefully so you don't get hurt.
- Professional tip: You can ask the wood seller to cut the wooden planks you bought into strips 5 cm wide. This eases your burden of splitting the wooden planks.
Step 4. Arrange the wooden strips alternately and glue them together with wood glue
Place the wood strip on a flat surface such as a table. Arrange the strips alternating between dark and light and align them. Apply wood glue along the outer edge of each wood strip. Spread the glue around the edges of the wood evenly. Next, join all the wooden strips together to form an even square.
If there is excess glue splattering between the wood strips, wipe it off with a cloth before it dries
Step 5. Clamp the edges of the board with bar clamps and allow the glue to dry
Clamp the bar clamps to the outer edges of the planks. Tighten the clamps until all the strips are firmly together, but don't overdo it as this could cause them to warp or bend. Read the glue pack to check the drying time required, and allow the glue to dry and harden completely.
Some wood glue products may recommend that you continue to clamp it for 24 hours to allow the wood to dry completely
Step 6. Cut the wooden strips with a size of 5 cm in alternating patterns
Once the glue is dry, use a ruler or tape measure and a pencil to make lines along the alternating colored wooden planks. Use a circular saw to cut the wood planks perpendicular to the original cut so that you get a new strip with dark and light squares in it.
Step 7. Arrange the new strips to form a checkerboard pattern, then apply wood glue
Place strips of alternating colored squares on a flat surface such as a table. Align all the wood strips to form a classic chessboard. Apply wood glue to the outer edges of all the strips and spread it thinly and evenly. Clamp the wooden strips and make sure they are positioned in a straight and even position.
- Your task is almost done! Your chessboard must look good.
- Wipe off any excess glue before it dries.
Step 8. Clamp the wooden planks and let the glue dry
Clamp the bar clamps on the outer edge of the board as in the previous step (before the board was cut into strips). Allow the glue to dry completely for the amount of time recommended on the product packaging.
- It is very important to allow the glue to dry completely and harden so that the wood strip adheres firmly.
- If you want to add a frame to the edge of the chessboard, measure the length of the edge of the board and prepare 4 strips of wood measuring 2x3 cm. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the edge of the strip, then pin it to the chessboard until the glue dries.
Step 9. Scrub the chessboard using sandpaper with a gradual grit (from coarse to fine)
When the glue has dried, use manual or electric sandpaper to scrub the board with 80 grit sandpaper. Smooth the chessboard again using 120 grit sandpaper to get a smooth and even chessboard.
You can scrub it with hand sandpaper, but you can speed up and make the job easier if you use an electric sander
Step 10. Apply a clear coat (varnish) to the chessboard and allow it to dry to complete the process
Use your preferred varnish and lightly apply it to the surface of the chessboard to coat it and give it a beautiful finish. Allow the varnish to dry completely according to the directions given on the product packaging. Your chessboard is done!
You can buy varnish at a hardware or hardware store
Method 2 of 2: Paper Chessboard
Step 1. Prepare a square of black and white paper, one sheet each
Use 2 sheets of paper, in black and white, to create a classic checkerboard pattern. Choose square-shaped paper for ease of measurement and accuracy.
- If you don't have a square of paper, cut the available paper to a size of 20x20 cm.
- If you want a stronger chessboard, you can use construction paper.
Step 2. Measure and draw lines 7 cm apart
Use a pencil and ruler to draw straight lines on the paper. Make sure the lines are evenly spaced so they can be used as a chessboard. Draw a line on both hard sheets. As a rule, the chessboard must be square, with each of the small squares measuring 5 to 6.5 cm. So, measure the width of the line according to the official guidelines for chessboard width.
Step 3. Cut the lines using scissors
Use the scissors to cut the lines you made. Cut out all the strips you made on both papers.
Make sure you cut it neatly and evenly
Step 4. Lay out the black paper strips in a row on a flat surface
Place a strip of black paper on a flat surface, such as a table. Align them so that the paper strips are facing the same direction.
Step 5. Slide the white paper strips horizontally between the white paper strips to form a pattern
Take a strip of white paper and weave it between the strips of black paper to form alternating black and white patterns. Continue to weave any remaining strips of white paper between the black paper until you have a classic checkered chessboard pattern.
Make sure all the edges of the board are even
Step 6. Apply clear tape to both sides of the chessboard
Apply clear tape to the surface of the paper chessboard. Cover the entire surface of the chessboard with clear tape, then turn the paper board over and cover the other side.
