17" Double Fold Cardboard Chess Board

It is just what I expected. Didn't sit perfectly flat when I got it. With bending and folding sits flat now with standard wood pieces. Just needed to work it in a little.

The actual square size is 1 7/8", not 2" as advertised. I measured with a ruler. To verify, I also measured the total width across all squares to be about 14 7/8". A chess board with exactly 2" squares would have measured 16" total width across.

The board is made of cardboard but not the same type of cardboard as a Amazon or USPS Priority mail shipping box. This board is like stiff glossy cardboard. It's hard to draw a comparison with something familiar. It's kinda like a thick photographic poster stock type of cardboard. The board has a good degree of stiffness, not flimsy like say a cereal box.

As others have noted, it likely won't lie completely flat. You could probably flex it to some degree to make it lie flatter. With use, I would expect the board to get broken in and lie flatter over time.

For $4, my expectations weren't high. I wanted a portable (either folding or rollup) board with slightly smaller squares than a 2 1/4" vinyl board that's common in the US. I got that, though a little smaller than expected.

There is a certain aesthetic and feel when a chessboard is matched to a chess set. If the squares are too small, the pieces seem cramped. If the squares are too large, the board feels overly spacious. A board should be paired to a set and square size is an important consideration. That's why I raise the issue, as this will be important to some people.

While the board does not flatten out when there are no pieces, it still gets the job done. I use this board with 3/4 heavy club pieces and they are a perfect fit. The gloss finish makes it easier to move the pieces. Also would like the board to be a little thicker, maybe that would help add some weight to keep it laying flat.

great board for the money. stores small, yet has 2 inch squares to accomodate tournament size pieces. time will see about warpage.

Exactly what. I wanted smooth transaction.