They hang on the wall like Art but are designed for a casual game of chess.
As you pass by, make your move, mark it "Last Move" and go on your way.
Many years ago, I delved into woodturning as a hobby, crafting various pieces. One ambitious project led me to create a colossal chess set: the kings towering at 11" tall, accompanied by a 44" square table and custom push sticks for maneuvering the pieces. This majestic set has journeyed through different spaces, from my parents' home to my own, my office, and even others' offices. However, in 2007, seeking a more space-efficient solution, inspiration struck during a tedious phone hold. Contemplating the possibility of wall-mounted shelves to showcase the pieces, I mused, "What if I could still play chess while it hangs?" Thus began my quest, scouring the web for similar concepts, only to find none. Determined, I embarked on designing my own. Initially envisioning a square board, I encountered challenges with standard chess pieces' fit. After weeks of brainstorming, a breakthrough emerged during a Thanksgiving drive with my wife. Frustration turned to clarity as I realized the solution: adapt the board to fit existing chess sets. Pulling over on the interstate, I feverishly crunched numbers, birthing the concept of vertical, wall-mounted chess boards. Months of meticulous work followed, leading to the founding of my one-man operation and the pursuit of a patent. Since then, crafting these boards has evolved into my full-time passion. Nearly 10,000 Straight Up Chess boards later, they've traversed the globe, finding homes with world chess champions, prestigious offices, actors, and even a renowned architect on the French Riviera catering to the elite.