The Tournament Board: What Really Matters
Not all boards are equal for competition. In official FIDE tournaments and those run by national federations, boards must meet precise standards: squares between 5 and 6 cm, clearly distinct colours, a non-reflective surface.
Choosing criteria
- Square size: 55–57 mm — this is the standard size at professional tournaments. Squares that are too small tire the eyes during long games
- Material: roll-up vinyl (portable, inexpensive, ideal for travelling) or real wood (attractive, durable, for use at home)
- Colour contrast: buff and brown (the classic tournament look) or ivory and black. Avoid shades that are too light or too dark, which strain the eyes
- Non-slip surface: with vinyl, check that the underside is non-slip — essential in long games, where repeated moves can shift the board
Tournament Vinyl Board
FIDE standard, 55 mm squares, light and portable. Indispensable for travelling to tournaments.
See it at Le Palais →Precious Wood Board
Walnut, rosewood, maple — for playing at home in the best conditions and lasting a lifetime.
See the models →Competition Pieces: Weighted or Not?
In official tournaments, Staunton pieces are the universal norm. This design, introduced in the 19th century, was adopted as the international standard for its clarity and practicality. Pieces vary in quality, from basic plastic to finely carved precious wood.
Weighted vs unweighted pieces
Weighted chess pieces (with a metal counterweight in the base) offer better stability and a superior feel when you move. In long tournament games (six hours), that stability reduces accidental knocks. Unweighted pieces are lighter and cheaper — they remain perfectly adequate for standard club tournaments.
King height
King height is the reference measurement for chess pieces. For a standard tournament, a king height of 95–100 mm is ideal with a board whose squares measure 55–57 mm. The general rule: the base of the king should cover 75–80% of the area of a square.
Plastic Staunton Pieces
Tournament standard, sturdy, unweighted. Ideal for clubs and for beginners in competition.
See the pieces →Weighted Wooden Pieces
Boxwood, ebony, rosewood — weighted chess pieces in precious wood for a professional feel.
See the models →The Chess Clock: Indispensable from Your First Tournament
Playing a single tournament without having practised with a clock at home is a mistake players only make once. Time management is learned, and it is learned with a real clock. Not owning one is like turning up to your first race in street shoes.
DGT: the world standard
DGT (Digital Game Technology) is the most widespread brand at FIDE tournaments and in the great majority of European competitions. Its clocks let you set every official time control (classical, rapid, blitz) precisely, with or without increment.
DGT Easy Plus
An entry-level model, intuitive, ideal for starting out in competition and for games at home.
See the clock →DGT 3000
The FIDE standard, programmable. A DGT chess clock used in national championships.
See the DGT 3000 →Software and Digital Tools
Analysis software has become indispensable to any serious player since the Stockfish era. Here are the essential options:
- Lichess.org (free): game analysis with Stockfish, rated puzzles, a database of several billion games, opening statistics. No reason not to use it
- ChessBase Reader (free) / ChessBase 18 (paid): game database management and a personal opening repertoire. The paid version is the professionals' tool of reference
- Chessable (freemium): opening memorisation through spaced repetition (a scientific memorisation method). Many courses by grandmasters available
- Chess.com Premium: unlimited video lessons, extended analysis, regular online tournaments. €10–15 a month
Essential Books by Level
Beginner to 1400
- Chess Fundamentals — José Raúl Capablanca (absolute clarity, endgame exercises)
- Winning Chess Tactics — Yasser Seirawan (an introduction to tactical themes with clear teaching explanations)
1400 to 1800
- Silman's Complete Endgame Course — Jeremy Silman (endgames by Elo level, a unique approach)
- My System — Nimzowitsch (the bible of positional play, still indispensable in 2026)
- Winning Chess Endings — Seirawan (practical endgames for club level)
1800+
- Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual — Mark Dvoretsky (the absolute reference on endgames, dense and comprehensive)
- Positional Chess Handbook — Israel Gelfer (nearly 500 exercise positions)
Summary by Budget
| Budget | Priority | Recommended spend |
|---|---|---|
| Starter — €50 | DGT Easy+ clock + vinyl board | ~€60 total |
| Club — €120 | DGT 3000 + vinyl board + weighted plastic pieces | ~€130 total |
| Serious — €250 | DGT 3000 + complete wooden set (boxwood, walnut) | ~€220–280 total |
| Expert — €500+ | Precious wood set + ChessBase + Chessable grandmaster course | €500+ total |