Outdoor Chess; Ideas and Inspirations
When we think of outdoor chess we think of mammoth scaled boards pieces and giant checkerboards, but there is no reason why an outdoor game of chess can’t be scaled to fit your own backyard no matter the size.
Incorporating Outdoor Chess into a patio or terrace
The garden in the above photo spills beautifully over the edges of the patio’s wood decking. The homeowners did not want an outdoor chessboard to detract from the foliage and blossoms so instead they simply used chalk lines and the decking itself to create the separations between the chess squares.
If you do want a bold contrasting chessboard on your patio and you like a country aesthetic you might consider going green and white to correspond with the greens in your garden. In the above photo they even stained their fence green for a co-ordinated look.
For a modern look a dark grey and white checkerboard created with large 24” square pavers makes a beautiful statement.
The above photo shows how a pre-existing patio can easily be used as an outdoor chessboard, as long as the patio stones are square.
I love how the homeowners of this property chose to create a patio just for their outdoor chess set. Raised above ground level, the edges can double as a place to sit while contemplating the next move.
Outdoor Lawn Chess
Outdoor Chess does not have to stay on the patio, it can easily spill into the lawn and by grouting the tiles with grass the chess board is no longer a separate entity.
Another way of incorporating an outdoor chess game into the lawn is by using the lawn as the alternating squares. With the pavers inset into the lawn, they’re not even in the way of the lawnmower.
Outdoor Board Chess
If you prefer your outdoor chess to disappear when not in use, these chessboard mats can easily be folded up and stored away and the chess pieces can be packed away into their own Tote Bag. The Game Supply
A chessboard mat works great on a patio but not so well on lumpy bumpy grass but a stack of lightweight 12” pavers can easily be arranged on top of the grass when used and then stored out of sight when not in use, and as the above photo clearly shows, actual chess pieces don’t have to be used, this homeowner prefers garden gnomes, frogs and rabbits.
Outdoor Chess pieces
Just as you can create different aesthetics by the look of the outdoor chess board, so too can you create different looks by the choice of chess pieces. This gorgeous set is teak wood, isn’t it awesome?! Its by Mega Chess
Just as stunning and just as modern are these forged chess pieces by blacksmith Doc Bagley of Four Winds Forge. It’s hard to believe he started out making horse shoes.
Not requiring nearly as much craftsmanship as the previous two amazing chess piece designs, this idea is more within the reach of a DIYer with tool skills. The pieces can even be flat packed when not in use. What really caught my eye with this chess set is the bold pop of yellow! This idea came from My Little Cottage in the Making
Here’s another great DIY idea. Collect rocks or pebbles and then paint them with icons, or just the names of each piece. If you are not a DIYer, don’t worry, the above photo is not a DIY set but a sandstone chess set complete with board by Daniel Bijaya called “Nature Does Battle”.
Outdoor Board Chess
If space is an issue there are lots of outdoor chess boards that are small and easy to store in a drawer, the above left Rawstudio chess set through Bespoke Global takes up almost no room when stored since the laser cut steel pieces store around the leather board which conveniently rolls up. Above right is a DIY hand painted chess board right on top of the picnic table.
This solid wood chessboard is made with Mahogany and ash wood while the chess pieces are hand forged steel. Source
This outdoor chess set brings the garden to the chess board – literally. Called the MicroPlanter Chess Set through MyMiniFactory it has its muse in the Bauhaus Style. The mini planters don’t come preplanted meaning you can customize the set with your choice of sedums, herbs, mosses, etc.
If the only thing holding you back from playing chess outside is the dark, check out this LED lit chess set. The translucent pieces glow white or blue and the board is mirrored. If you think each piece needs a battery, you would be wrong, the pieces glow when they come within 4” from the board and it’s the board that gets plugged in or uses batteries. How is that for a 21st century adaptation of a 6th century game!
Inspirational Outdoor Public Chess Gardens
If you have enjoyed the previous examples of outdoor chess ideas for your patio, you’ll really like this outdoor marble chess set located in a park next to a river in Deyang, China.
The above photo of ice chess is a really cool (literally) chess game played in London, England and Moscow, Russia simultaneously. Some of the ice chess pieces where carved to represent famous landmarks within the two locations.
From super cold we go to super warm and super big with chess pieces made of sand standing up to 8ft in height. This installation was at the sea resort of Travemunde in Germany.
In Marlborough, Australia the Twelve Trees Restaurant at the Allan Scott Wines has this unique chess set right next to their al fresco dining area.
OK, this is not a chess set, game or board but it is my very favourite chess sculpture and a perfect way to end this inspirational post. Called Octopus Playing Chess it was created by Leigh Dyer and is located in East Sussex, England.
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