Chess Guides & Advice

Choosing your chess board, understanding the pieces, playing backgammon: our guides to help you play better.

Chess pieces hand-carved from raw wood

20 October 2026

Chess Pieces: Names, Moves and Values

King, queen, rook, bishop, knight and pawn: every chess piece has its own name, its own move and its own value. This guide introduces them one by one, with the origins of their names and the history of the famous…

Le Nomade noir magnetic chess set, the complete set on a cream background

20 October 2026

Magnetic or Standard Chess Set: Which Should You Choose?

Magnetic pieces that don't slip, a case that fits in a bag: the magnetic chess set has real advantages, especially for travel…

A cabinetmaker hand-carving a chess piece in the workshop in Poland

20 October 2026

How Is a Handmade Wooden Chess Set Made?

From raw wood to a case ready to play, a handmade chess set passes through many hands: drying, turning, carving the knight,…

No. 4 walnut and sycamore chess board on its own, overall view on a cream background

20 October 2026

What Size Chess Board Should You Choose? Squares, King and Numbers

Squares too small and the pieces crowd together; too large and the set looks lost on the board. Here is how to…

Le Diplomate bleu chess set, complete on a cream background, 8 × 8 board with pieces in starting position

20 October 2026

Which Chess Set to Give? Gift Ideas by Profile

Giving a chess set means giving hours of play and an object to pass on. Beginner, child, club player, lover of decor…

DGT 2010 digital chess clock, overall view on a cream background

20 October 2026

How to Choose a Chess Clock: The Practical Guide

Mechanical or electronic, Fischer increment or Bronstein delay, blitz or long game: this guide helps you choose a chess clock suited to…

Marquetry points on a wooden backgammon board

20 October 2026

Jacquet or Backgammon: What Are the Differences?

Jacquet and backgammon are played on the same board, with fifteen checkers and two dice, but the spirit differs: one favours the…

Marquetry points being laid by hand on a backgammon board in the workshop in Greece

20 October 2026

Backgammon Rules: The Complete Guide for Beginners

Starting set-up, reading the dice, hitting checkers, bearing off, gammon and the doubling cube: here are the rules of backgammon explained step…