Comparison of Demonstration Chess, Vertical Chess, and Chessboards by ChessboArt

In this article, I will attempt to answer the question of the differences between Vertical Chess, Demonstration Chess, and the chessboards created by ChessboArt.

To clearly illustrate the differences, I asked Google about Vertical and Demonstration Chess:

In summary, the aforementioned types of chess can be characterized as follows:

Vertical Chess

is built upon a cabinet or frame. Usually, the chessboard serves as a backdrop, but its squares are rectangles rather than traditional squares. Additionally, the chessboard does not have field notations like in standard chess (a-h, 1-8). The pieces are typically classic and from standard chess sets, but they are placed on shelves corresponding to specific squares. Therefore, separate chessboards for Vertical Chess can be purchased since the pieces can be bought separately.

Playing, training, or solving chess problems on this type of board can be very tiring and ineffective. The main purpose of Vertical Chess is undoubtedly its decorative function. Therefore, they are often made aesthetically pleasing, frequently from wood or panels.

Demonstration Chess

has a history of over 100 years. World Championship matches were often played on these boards, demonstrating the course of the game using this type of chess.

They were designed from the ground up in the form of a chess diagram, a format commonly seen in chess literature and recently popularized by chess programs.
Their construction varies. The most popular are magnetic demonstration chessboards, where magnets are attached to the pieces and metal plates are hidden in the squares of the board. This allows pieces to be moved to any square. There are also less common solutions like transparent pockets in the squares or mounting pins.
Demonstration Chess is mainly used in schools and chess clubs. Its primary function is training, with additional advantages including the ability to fold (e.g., roll up) and transport. They are often made from inexpensive materials and their low price is a significant benefit.

ChessboArt Chess

combines the advantages of the above solutions. They were designed from scratch by chess players, artists, and craftsmen to fulfill all important functions.
The pieces have two magnets inside, and each square on the board also contains magnets to ensure that each piece stays exactly in the center of the square. This solution has drawbacks: first, the labor-intensive process and associated cost, and second, the fact that pieces do not attract each other between squares.
Since the 2024 version, magnets have also been added to the margins of the board to allow for the storage of captured pieces, creating a total of 100 places on the board where a piece can be attached (10x10).

The use of ChessboArt boards is for decorating interiors and spaces while maintaining full chess functionality. This combination allows the chessboard to be used in places like living rooms, restaurants, companies, and offices, providing an attractive appearance without taking up space for a chess table and intriguing viewers (there are almost always questions about whether the pieces can be moved or are fixed in place)!

Summing up in a condensed form, here is a summary of the choices.

Summary: Which Chess to Choose

The choice of which chess to choose mainly depends on how it will be used and where. Each solution has its supporters. Demonstration Chess undoubtedly stands out for its low price, mobility, and ease of transport. They are designed for schools and perform well in that context.

Vertical Chess was the only available and aesthetically pleasing solution until 2022, when ChessboArt was created. They still have widespread use in interior decoration, where the gaming aspects are not significant. In this case, the rectangular chessboard and the lack of correlation between height and width of the board can also be considered an advantage.

ChessboArt Chess is in a completely different league. It is not a mass-produced product. It is unique, well-designed, and thoughtfully created (as chess should be), made of wood. Both functional qualities and aesthetics and quality have been considered, so if available and affordable, it is indeed an intriguing choice.