Monroe Extra Thick Chess Board with Inlaid Walnut and Maple Wood, Large 18 x 18 Inch, Board Only

I am very disappointed. The description says inlaid walnut and maple wood. As I examined real closely, it is a photo finish like on those cheap office desks you buy at the store. the same photo finish (obviously not chess board) is on the back and sides. What is poor is the simulated wood grain on the ends does not match the direction on the back. You would think if the simulated wood grain went in one direction on the back, the sides would be the same but they don't. So it is obvious this is fake. the other big clue is the weight. It is super heavy. A tell sign of MDF/particle board.This chess board is expensive. I had seen others for 1/2 and even 1/3 less but for this price expected a real wooden chess board. It was described a made of wood, which I guess MDF / particle board is technically wood. But when the title says Walnut and Maple you expect real wood from walnut and maple.Otherwise the board came packaged well and in good condition. Just not for me. I have ordered another one at 1/3 the cost. Now it might also be MDF / particle board but for the new price, I am ok.

I guess I have different expectations than the majority of reviewers. When I read inlaid wood board i was expecting actual inlaid wood and not just a veneer finish. The board itself is a nice size and its certainly functional and cleanly finished but for $70 it is most definitely not inlaid wood. Its a single piece of finished veneer with edging. Basic board.

This chess board is BEAUTIFUL. The weight is heavy and feels substantial when you hold it. This board is very large and takes up most of my coffee table space. The squares are the perfect size for larger chess and checkers pieces. I really just love it!For reference the chess set you see in the photos are also made by the same company and you can find them here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010GJOSWU?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_titleThe checkers set was purchased on Amazon as well and you can find it here:https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07NLH8LC5/?ie=UTF8&psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image&ref_=navm_em_hd_re_signin&

Beautiful, high quality, heavier weight, lovely on our dining room table as a show piece set --This was a Christmas present for my husband as well as a display piece for our dining room.:) -- The chess pieces shown in my photo are from this listing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WKVN2UC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Absolutely beautiful board. It's very well made and weighs about 6-7 lbs. I had ordered a chess set with a 4" king and this board is perfect. My husband does not care for chess, in general, but now that we have a classy set and a beautiful board, he actually asks me to play.The board is about 1/2'' thick and the finish is very smooth. You can see the graining and slight imperfections, just as in any piece of wood. Yes...it is a veneer....who cares? it's smooth, well made and beautiful. I will probably lean it up, on a shelf, when not in use. It will make a statement in any room.

Not as happy with this board as I was with another board I purchased, but it's good enough. It came with a nick on one of the dark squares, which rather than return, I corrected with a brown Sharpie marker. Otherwise the construction is solid and the weight and feel just right. Overall I'm happy with it, but that nick gets it 3 rather than 4-5 stars.

Straight cut and very flat. Squares are even. Nice and weighty so it wont bump as easily on the table. I like not having the rank and file notation letters/numbers--if you're still in need of that then go back to the pleather roll up board.Only docking it one star on account of me being petty: i wish there was more felt at the bottom and that the squares show more wood grain. As it is there's a small bit of a plasticky appearance from afar.I would buy this product again. thank you.

Came quickly and with no damage for mine. Was in an interior box with a few Styrofoam pieces along the edges and around the corners, then another exterior corrugated box. The board itself has plenty of weight to it, with felt discs/feet under each corner. Even though I knew the measurements, I was pleasantly surprised at how large the board is once it was in my possession. Set with 4" king looks great on it, and nothing feels or looks cramped. The veneer is well done, with grain of the darker squares all going the same direction. Very pleased.

The chess board quality is excellent.