You have a beautiful cover for your phone, a sleeve/bag for your laptop, or a case for your eyeglasses. But why? Isn’t it quite obvious? These cases and covers offer protection to those prized belongings. But what about the chess set you cherish a lot? Like your phone or laptop, a chess box is also made for your chess pieces. It offers a cozy, well-maintained, and secured home to protect your chessmen from scratches, dust, and other harm. But, at times, that storage case also needs care to stay in good shape for a long time. In this blog, let’s explore practical chess box maintenance tips and a few recommended storage boxes for your chess set.
Understanding the Importance of a Quality Chess Box
Every chess set is a piece of art, a potential heirloom, or a treasured possession, which makes protecting it crucial. And, a quality storage box offers what you need along with an aesthetic appeal. Here are a few benefits that owning a chess piece box brings.
- Protection: When lying openly, chess pieces are prone to dust, scratches, and other forms of damage. Chess storage protects them from all, making it the primary purpose of the box.
- Organization: The right box for your chess set will have separate compartments for each piece. This ensures your set remains pristine for a long time. Also, it saves you from the hassle of searching for a specific piece.
- Portability: Playing at home, outside with friends, or in a tournament, carrying the set is a part of the process. A well-built box with sturdy handles makes transporting the set easy and convenient.
- Aesthetics: Besides the practical benefits, owning a storage box also adds to the sophistication and elegance of a chess set. You can find various chess storage box options featuring intricate cravings, modern looks, and sleek designs.
Types of Chess Boxes
- Wooden Chess Boxes: The most popular option, these chess boxes often use rosewood, mahogany, and other high-quality woods. These usually contain soft interiors with felt lining for added protection. Other features include foam inserts or individual compartments for secure piece organization.
- Leather Chess Boxes: If you want luxury and sophisticated storage for your chess, go for this chess coffer option. Features include sleek, modern designs, soft lining for interior padding, and a clasp or lock for security.
- Custom Chess Boxes: Like nobles, scholars, and kings in ancient times, you can also get custom boxes for your specific needs. Materials like precious metals, fine leather, and exotic woods are used to make such boxes. You can also get custom engravings, intricate designs, drawer systems, padded compartments, and more.
Choosing the Right Chess Box
- Size and Fit: Every chess piece is different with the king being the longest and the knight the widest. So, a careful consideration of the size and dimensions of a box is essential. Your chess set fits snugly into the right-sized box and stays clear of any damage. Also, note the capacity that should be enough to fit all your pieces comfortably.
- Material of Your Set: Wood is the most common material. But your ideal choice should be the one that matches your chess set. Go for wooden and metal for long-lasting and sturdy boxes. Or if you need a premium feel, get a leather chess piece storage box that requires high maintenance too.
- Design and Aesthetics: Similar to the material, the design and aesthetics of the box should also match your chess set. Choose between classic (wood) or contemporary (glass or metal) boxes, you can also check for customization options like monograms, engravings, or finishes for a customized look.
- Budget or Luxury: Before stepping out to buy, check how much you can spend. Calculate your budget and get the best match of aesthetics, material, and quality. However, if you have a high-value chess set, look for higher-end options for better durability and protection.
Chess Box Maintenance and Care
When a valuable possession like a chess storage box is properly cared for and maintained, it lasts longer. Regular care is good enough for your chess piece box to retain its beauty, last longer, and avoid aging damages. Follow these tips to preserve the quality of your beautiful chess board box.
- Proper Handling: Right from opening and closing to carrying, use soft touches, avoid rough handling, and be gentle. This avoids unwanted stress on joints and hinges.
- Prevent from Natural Elements: Humidity, moisture, and direct sunlight can damage the box. While direct sunlight exposure can lead to fading or discoloration, the other two can cause mold growth or warping.
- Clean with a Soft Cloth: To remove any dust or debris from the box, dust regularly with a lint-free, soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials as they can cause further damage.
- Occasional Polishing: A high-quality wax or wooden polish is recommended for wood chess boxes. This helps ensure a higher level of protection and shine. Refer manufacturer’s instructions for polishing.
- Storing the Boxes: Create a dedicated space for storing your chess boxes away from potential risks.
- Inspect Regularly: After regular intervals, keep checking the box for any cracks, dents, scratches, loose components, or other damages. Detecting them early can prevent major damages later.
- Rotate and Use: If you own multiple storage boxes, prefer using them in rotation with even distribution. This extends the lifespan of all the coffers, preventing them from accumulating dust and debris.
Where to Buy the Best Chess Boxes?
Of course! The primary option you are thinking of is the store where you bought that chess set from. Every store can have a different selection of storage boxes. So, you can either check with the seller of the chess set or choose to buy from the below options:
Trusted Vendors and Brands
Buying from an established brand is always the first choice of most buyers. However, there isn’t just one and you need to compare them all in terms of product quality, reviews, and other factors. Royal Chess Mall has been dealing with chess pieces and related products for around a decade. Here, you get a wide product range including traditional, modern, and more options.
Moreover, with a brand specializing in chess products, you can easily find boxes matching your chess sets. Another benefit is that you get multiple buying options. For instance, you can order directly from the website or order via eCommerce marketplaces like eBay and Amazon.
Online vs. In-Store Purchases
Online vs offline shopping has been a topic of debate for years. By now, it has all boiled down to personal preferences for most shoppers. Online stores bring you a bigger selection of products with convenient shopping and doorstep delivery options. Offline stores, on the other hand, let you touch and feel the product and take it home immediately. Besides, product quality is a major concern among online shoppers.
To address this, online stores like Royal Chess Mall have reviews from customers published directly on the website. Plus, having return policies in place covers you, even if you receive something other than the ordered one.
Conclusion
In the end, a well-maintained chess box does more than just store your pieces. It enhances your overall chess experience, offering peace of mind knowing your set is protected. Whether you’re a casual player or a passionate collector, taking the time to select and care for your chess box is important. It will keep your pieces in excellent condition, ready for many more games.
