Editing Chessboard (section)

== Manufacture ==
Chessboards have been made from numerous materials over the years, such as [[ebony]], [[ivory]], [[marble]], [[metal]], [[glass]], and [[plastic]]. They can also be found as decorative elements in plazas, gardens, and living rooms.

High-level games generally use wooden boards, while [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]], [[plastic]], and [[cardboard]] are common for less important tournaments and matches, as well as for home use. Additionally, some very large chessboards are built into or drawn on the ground. Rarely, [[decorative glass]] and marble boards are permitted for games conducted by national or international chess federations.

Wooden boards are traditionally made of unstained woods that are light brown and dark brown in colour. To reduce cost, some boards are made with veneers of more expensive woods glued to an inner piece of plywood or chipboard. A variety of colour combinations are used for plastic, vinyl, and silicone boards. Common dark-light combinations are black and white, as well as brown, green or blue with [[buff (colour)|buff]] or [[cream (colour)|cream]].

For international or continental championships, [[FIDE]]'s regulations state that wooden boards should be used. For other FIDE tournaments, [[wood]], [[plastic]], or cardboard boards may be used, and the board should be rigid in all instances. The board may also be made of [[marble]], as long as there is an appropriate contrast between the light and dark squares. The finishing should be neutral or frosted but never shiny. The squares should be from 5 to 6 [[Centimetre|cm]] in length, at least twice the diameter of a [[Pawn (chess)|pawn]]'s base. If the [[Chess table|table]] and the board are two separate pieces, the latter must be fixed so it stays in place.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FIDE Handbook C. General Rules and Technical Recommendations for Tournaments / 02. Standards of Chess Equipment, venue for FIDE Tournaments, rate of play and tie-break regulations |url=https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/C02|access-date=12 July 2020|website=FIDE}}</ref>