Vertical Chess & FM Michał Fudalej, ChessboArt Story
The idea of creating wooden hanging and vertical chess sets had been growing inside me for years — but the first pieces didn’t come to life until 2022. Looking back, I see it as a combination of passion, personal experience, and outside forces that pushed me to rethink everything.
I’ve played chess since childhood and earned the FIDE Master title in 2007. Not long after, I stepped away from competitions and became a casual and online player. I focused instead on engineering and innovation, working on complex technological projects and prototypes across various industries — including space, automotive, and scientific research.
For years, I was part of multiple business ventures, sometimes as a founder, other times as a consultant or engineer. But when the world changed — first with the COVID-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine — the rules of the game changed, too.
Reaching my forties, I realized how difficult but necessary it is to shift course. To let go of big structures and return to something more tangible. More human. I decided to trade high-tech systems for craftsmanship, creativity, and personal expression.
That’s how ChessboArt was born — from a deep love of chess, a belief in the power of beautiful objects, and a need to build something that truly matters.
New Start
In early 2022, I began working on the first designs and prototypes of ChessboArt. I reached out to people who inspired me — designers, artists, woodworkers, and engineers — and invited them to co-create something special.
The idea was ambitious from the start: to build a wall-mounted chessboard that would be uncompromising in every detail. Not just a board for playing, but a refined object of interior design — elegant, timeless, and functional.
We set out to create a piece that would delight all the senses:
– visually, through artistic design and natural materials
– to the touch, with carefully finished wood surfaces and textures
– and in use, thanks to an innovative magnetic system that enhances the playing experience
The result? A fusion of design, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the game of chess.
In the photo below, Michał Fudalej from ChessboArt, in the workshop with his great-great-grandfather's wood saw.
We’re still at the beginning.
Even though our chessboards have already found customers across Europe and both Americas, this is just the start of our journey.
The entire process remains highly time-consuming — and intentionally non-industrial. Every chessboard and every piece is handcrafted and individually finished. This is not mass production; it’s craftsmanship supported by precision.
To ensure the highest quality and consistency, we also use modern CNC machines — for repeatable technical work and fine engraving — but the final touch is always done by hand.
To understand where we truly are — consider this: as of 2025, all work is still done by just two people. Michał Fudalej, the founder and designer behind ChessboArt, and his father, Marian Fudalej, who brings valuable experience in working with wood and detail.
Chess and Arts
Where chess becomes design.
Chess can impress not only through brilliant moves — but through its very presence.
We created ChessboArt as something entirely new: a piece of applied art. Our goal was to craft chess sets that inspire — through their design, concept, and exceptional quality. Pieces that elevate interiors, adding prestige, originality, and timeless character.
To achieve this, we brought together artists, engineers, and passionate chess players. We dedicated hundreds of hours to refining every detail — yet the final beauty of each set comes from something more: the natural individuality of solid wood and the human touch of craftsmanship.
That’s why no two boards are the same — and why each one carries its own engraved number.
Opening new doors.
As we continue to grow in the world of woodworking and craftsmanship, we’ve begun to explore new paths — beyond our signature wall-mounted chessboards.
One of those paths led us to a forgotten piece of chess history: mechanical wooden chess clocks.
It all started by chance. A few broken and discarded clocks in a local chess club — set aside for the trash. I took them home, and by the end of the day, the first one was ticking again.
Word spread among chess friends. More clocks arrived, each one with its own history, challenge, and charm. Now, restoring these beautiful timepieces has become a true part of our journey — combining craftsmanship, heritage, and a touch of nostalgia.
Our collection is growing — along with our knowledge and appreciation for these timeless objects.
Where Chess Meets Art!
Our signature vertical chessboards remain at the heart of ChessboArt - and they always will. But we’re also excited to explore new directions, especially when they come from the creativity and unique requests of our clients.
From timeless chess tables to restored clocks and artistic one-of-a-kind boards, we love turning ideas into beautiful, functional pieces. It’s here, in the intersection of chess, craftsmanship and design, that our passion truly comes alive.
We hope you'll visit us again — perhaps to find your favorite chessboard, a wall-mounted set, a beautifully restored clock, or another unique chess treasure we haven't even made yet.
Welcome to ChessboArt. Let the game — and the art — continue.