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With a goal of producing the finest solid hardwood chessboards in the world, Andrew Summerville embarked on the task of creating a full line of boards from exotic hardwoods that were currently being used in the market. After months of painstaking trials, uncontrollable warping and cracking, and losses in the tens of thousands of dollars, exotic hardwoods were categorically rejected due to their unpredictable nature, stemming from unknown harvesting and curing methods.
Summerville adopted high-grade American walnut as his preferred construction material due to the control offered by American industry standards... matching the premium walnut with similar grades of tiger maple and white ash concluded the materials phase of research. As a nationally acclaimed design engineer, and with a solid history in process development, Summerville developed an exquisite family of world class chessboards, supported by a process that guarantees uniformity and consistency.
Chess House brings Andrew's Summerville-NewEngland chessboards to you. While Andrew manufactures various sizes and styles, available are several handpicked selections.
Because a chessboard of this extreme quality is cherished, the packing quality, and shipping details are carefully arranged. They generally ship within 1-2 days, and in the event a particular item is not available, it is produced in about 3-4 days.
Designs are exquisite and balanced, a product of nationally acclaimed design engineering. Manufacturing technology is second to none, producing precision, quality, and consistency unparalleled. Finishes are a result of hours of progressive sanding and hand-rubbing natural oils into the wood grain, topped with a natural hand-rubbed wax finish. The surface is rich and non-glaring, designed for the most discriminating chess players.
Truly for those that demand the finest in solid hardwood chess boards.
- Heirloom Quality Chessboards
- Heavy, Raised Quarter-Sawn Playing Surfaces
- Solid Premium Grade Hardwoods - No Veneers
- Unsurpassed Precision and Quality
- Exquisite Product Design
Summerville-NewEngland boards are backed by a no-questions asked, 30 day money-back guarantee.
To receive more information or purchase Summerville New England Chessboards
Contact us by email, and we'll email information on the variety of chess boards and current pricing. Most chessboards are priced around $550-1000, and many are one of a kind.
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More about the manufacturing process. Summerville-NewEngland DesignLumber usedThe lumber is properly harvested, air cured, and kiln dried to provide the finest quality wood products obtainable. Each piece is carefully qualified before entering the manufacturing process. No veneers are used, and the boards are fabricated only from solid premium hardwoods.
PlatformsThe platform or "frame" is fabricated of premium solid American Walnut. There are two "peripheral inlay" options (the inlay that surrounds the playing surface), the light-wood option is solid white ash, the dark-wood option is solid ebony. The solid strips (approximately an eighth of an inch in thickness are hand laid and bonded into carefully machined seats; they are then brought perfectly flush with the surface and finished accordingly. A second option on the larger sized boards is a solid ebony frame inlay. Inserting frame inlays is a difficult and time consuming process, but results in a truly exquisite finished product. Platforms include corner splines in a contrasting solid Walnut. (see photo below) These pieces serve to strengthen the critical frame corners, and provide exquisite beauty and detail.
 Playing SurfacesPlaying surfaces are the result of extensive research and development. The surfaces are "quarter-sawn" which means that the grain on the top surface is radially exposed as opposed to tangentially exposed. Surfaces are made from solid premium American Walnut and White Ash. The surface is bonded to a "matched" heavy hardwood substrated of like material using our own internally developed Summerville's TruDiamond construction process. This process is designed to hold surface flatness and to prevent warping to a high degree of correctness. Summerville's TruDiamond construction also minimizes reflected stress to the support platform. MountingOnce completed, the playing surface is carefully placed into seats
within the supporting platform, and mechanically attached to the platform using Summerville's TruFreedom surface mount technology. This technology allows the playing surface to expand and contract slightly with normal changes in relative humidity, without being bound or
constrained by the support platform. The technique further addresses otherwise unbridled tendencies for warping and cracking. Summerville's TruFreedom mounting technology holds the playing surface firmly in place while providing these benefits.   FinishingSummerville-New England chessboards are finished by using only natural hand-rubbed oils. No stains, lacquers, urethanes or the like are used. The objective is to provide a beautiful natural finish that is not highly reflective, and therefore not bothersome to the players. Multiple applications of premium BriWax, a natural blend of Beeswax and Carnauba wax create the final surface treatment. Note that BriWax can be reapplied by the end user
periodically to keep the board looking like new! BriWax is available online at www.briwax.com Be sure to follow manufacturer's directions and precautions carefully! Heavy Triangulated Felt PadsHeavy Felt Pads are carefully placed in triangulated fashion so that even if placed on an uneven surface, the board will not move during play. We understand that such a minor thing as chessboard instability during a game can be aggravating and can impact your performance.  New Design ReleasedMonkTM chessboards were designed with monastic life in mind. Simple
and to the point, these fine quality solid-hardwood chess boards made in
America are fabricated of Northern White Ash, omitting the typical
heavy inlays of Summerville New England chessboards, and lowering the
cost. What results is a premium quarter-sawn American Walnut
playing surface, the hallmark of Summerville-New England quality, plus
floating surface mounts, a fully splined stage, triangulated support
pads for perfect stability, and solid premium oiled and hand-rubbed
hardwood throughout. 
InquiriesIf you would like to receive information tailored for you, or have a question about these Summerville-New England chessboards, email us through the contact form, providing a way to contact you along with your question.
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