How to Create a Chess Table

Pick out a table to use as the chess playing surface. Any type of table will do, but a smaller side table or end table is a good choice. The table should have enough room for two players to sit comfortably around.

Sand the tabletop with a fine grade sand paper until smooth. Clean off the particles and any dirt with a damp cloth. Allow to dry.

Measure out a square area for the chess board. The size of the chess board is up to you, but consider the size of the table and the size of the pieces that you will use.

Draw a grid using a ruler in the square area. A chess board contains 64 squares, eight rows and eight columns.

Tape off the squares to be painted. A chess board's squares alternate between light and dark. Start the pattern on the lower right corner with a light colored square.

Paint the squares accordingly. Traditionally, black and white are used as the block colors, but you can use any colors that you want. Also, you can keep the natural finish of the table as a color and only paint one color. Allow the paint to dry and then finish with a clear coat, such as varnish.

Align the pieces for the kings, queens, bishops, knights, rooks and pawns.