Frequently asked questions

Hand-carved chess sets, backgammon boards, 2-in-1 boards that play both games, chess and backgammon tables, and spare backgammon pieces. The same workshop also carves wall clocks, sculptures and small souvenirs.

Yes. Every piece is cut, carved, joined and finished by hand in Yerevan, Armenia, so no two are exactly alike. A board from the Ohanyan workshop passes through at least 14 stages, with a master at each step. That is why each one takes 1–2 weeks to make.

Most of our chess sets and backgammon boards are carved in the Yerevan workshop of Hrachya Ohanyan, National Master of woodcarving, who opened it in 1985. You can read his story on the Hrachya Ohanyan page. Each product page names the maker.

Mostly solid walnut and beech, and a few pieces in oak. Some boards add epoxy resin, amber stones or bronze details; hardware is cast bronze or brass, and piece compartments are lined with velvet. Each product page lists its own materials.

Walnut is dark, with a deep grain: the classic, heirloom look. Beech is pale and even, and shows fine carving and painted detail best. Many boards combine the two.

Many of our boards carry the silhouette of Mount Ararat: as the shape of the board itself, carved along its edge, or in relief across the field. It is Hrachya Ohanyan's signature design. Boards called “classic” are plain rectangles.

Keep it out of strong sun and away from heaters and damp, and wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. That is all a hand-carved board needs.

Every backgammon board ships with its checkers, a dice set and a bag. The product page shows the exact checkers for that board.

60 cm (23.6 in) is the full-size board most players choose for home and serious play. 50 cm (19.7 in) still plays comfortably and stores more easily. 40 cm and 30 cm boards are compact travel sets. Exact dimensions are on every product page.

Yes. Nardi, nard, tavla, tawla and shesh besh are all names for the same game, played on the same board. Any of our backgammon boards works for each of them.

Yes. Our backgammon pieces collection has hand-made checkers and dice sets, as a replacement or an upgrade for any board.

Yes. Our backgammon tables are freestanding furniture with the board built into the top. Tables travel by insured furniture freight.

Every chess set comes with all 32 pieces. Most sets store them in a velvet-lined compartment under the lid, and a few have a built-in drawer.

Most chess sets run from 30 to 50 cm, with a few larger boards. Every product page lists the exact dimensions, and custom sizes are possible on request.

Yes. Our chess pieces come as a full set of 32 in beech and walnut with velvet bases, in five sizes for boards from 24 to 60 cm.

Yes. Our chess and backgammon sets have the chessboard on the outside and the backgammon field inside, so one board plays both games, with the pieces for both.

Yes. Our chess tables are freestanding furniture with the board built into the top, some with carved bronze pieces. Each page lists its own dimensions.

Yes. Tell us what you have in mind on WhatsApp (+374 41 777 882) or at contact@lionlaurel.com, and we will talk through the size, wood and engraving with you.

Many pieces can carry a name, a date or a few words. Choose the engraving option on the product page. Engraved pieces are made just for you, so they can only be returned if they arrive faulty.

Yes. Our Gift Finder asks four short questions (who it is for, the game, the budget, the look) and gives you a shortlist with delivery dates. Or message us and we will pick a few boards with you.

Yes. Call or message us on WhatsApp at +374 41 777 882 for a personal consultation about any piece. We are happy to send more photos, help with size and engraving, and answer any question.

Yes, we ship worldwide from Armenia with secure packaging and tracked, insured delivery.

Shipping is free to the US, Canada and all of Europe; other countries pay a flat $100 for tracked delivery, and Brazil, Chile and New Zealand pay $200, with no minimum. Orders over $600 travel by express courier with signature, free (except Brazil, Chile and New Zealand).

Every piece is handmade and handcrafted for you, so it takes 1–2 weeks to make. Delivery then takes about 7–9 business days to the US, Canada, Europe and the UK; other regions may take a little longer. Tables travel by insured furniture freight and arrive about 2–4 weeks after they are finished.

Your order ships from Armenia. US and EU orders are delivered duties paid: we cover the import duties and taxes, so there is nothing to pay on arrival. In the UK, import VAT applies on orders over £135; elsewhere any import fees are set by your country. If you would like an estimate before you order, write to us on WhatsApp (+374 41 777 882) or at contact@lionlaurel.com.

DHL Express and FedEx, fully tracked and insured. Tables go by specialist furniture freight.

You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships, with live updates through DHL or FedEx.

Yes. We pack every piece by hand with extra padding, and every parcel is tracked and insured. If anything arrives damaged, send us a few photos and we will replace it or refund you in full.

You can return any order within 30 days of delivery, for any reason, worldwide. If an item arrives faulty, damaged or wrong, the return is free and you choose a replacement or a full refund; for change-of-mind returns the item should be unused in its original packaging and you cover return shipping. EU and UK customers also keep their full statutory rights, including a 14-day withdrawal right. Engraved pieces, custom commissions and gift cards can't be returned unless they arrive faulty. See our refund policy for details.

Email contact@lionlaurel.com with your order number (and a few photos if something arrived damaged). Please write to us before you send anything back, and we will tell you exactly how to return it.

Approved refunds go back to your original payment method within 14 days. There are no restocking fees.

All major credit and debit cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay, all through Shopify's secure checkout.

Yes, all payments are processed through secure and trusted payment systems.

A real person answers, usually within 30 minutes on WhatsApp (+374 41 777 882). Email contact@lionlaurel.com works too.