A chessboard you pack away is equipment. A chess table is furniture. It stands in the room, ready to play, and it draws the eye whether or not a game is in progress. In Armenia — a country that treats chess as a national art — these tables are hand-built from solid wood by master carvers, and a good one can anchor a living room, study or game room for generations. This guide covers what makes an Armenian chess table special, how the designs differ, and how to choose the right one for your space.
More Than a Board — Why a Chess Table?
There are three reasons to choose a table over a board:
- It is always ready. No box, no setup ritual — the game lives on the table and invites you to sit down and play.
- It is a piece of decor. A carved table earns its place in a room the way a fine cabinet or a sculpture does, even between games.
- It is an heirloom. Built from solid wood and made to be used daily, a well-made chess table is something you pass down, not replace.
Hand-Carved in Armenia, Built to Last
What sets these tables apart is how they are made. Many are carved from a single piece of beech wood, with the playing surface and the contour outline worked by hand rather than printed or veneered. The finest are made by National Master carver Hrachya Ohanyan, whose copyrighted contour outline frames the board with a clean, unmistakable line. Pieces range from classic wooden sets to weighty solid bronze and brass figures that feel as good as they look.
A great chess table is not decorated to look expensive — it is carved to last a lifetime, and it happens to be beautiful.
Choosing Your Design
Armenian chess tables fall into a few distinct styles. Here is how the most popular compare:
| Design | Signature look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Contour Outline | A clean carved outline framing the board | A modern, understated centerpiece |
| Tree of Life | Openwork branches carved through the wood | A striking decorative statement |
| Regal Lion | Lion-themed carving with brass pieces | Bold, majestic game rooms |
| Majestic Eagle | Eagle motif with brass pieces | Dramatic collector appeal |
| Bronze Carved | Deep carving with solid bronze pieces | The ultimate heirloom |
Chess Table, or Chess & Backgammon Table?
As with our boards, some tables are built for two games. The flagship Chess Table with Backgammon by Hrachya Ohanyan hides a full backgammon set beneath its chess surface — two of Armenia's favorite games in a single showpiece. If you love both, or you are buying a centerpiece for a family that plays everything, a combo table is hard to beat. You can also build a full games room by pairing it with a matching backgammon table.
Size & Space
Most Armenian chess tables are built around a 60 cm (about 24–25 inch) playing surface — large enough for weighted pieces and comfortable play, and substantial enough to hold a room. Before you order:
- Measure the room. Leave space to pull up two chairs and walk around the table comfortably.
- Think about seating. These are sit-down tables meant for real games, not just display shelves.
- Consider the pieces. Brass and bronze sets are heavier and more luxurious; classic wooden pieces are lighter and more traditional.
An Investment Piece
A chess table is a considered purchase, and the range reflects that — from accessible carved tables to the signed Hrachya Ohanyan flagship at the top of the collection. What you are buying is not just a place to play but a hand-carved, solid-wood object built to outlast trends. Browse the full range in our Chess Tables collection, or start with the Hrachya Ohanyan signature pieces.
Prefer something you can pack away? See our guide to Armenian chess sets, or read about Armenian backgammon if you are drawn to the other national game.
Final Word
A chess table is where the game stops being something you take out and becomes something you live with. Hand-carved in Armenia from solid wood, built for daily play and made to be handed down, it turns every match into an occasion and every room into a little more of a home.