Chess is a game of skill, patience, and tact. So it’s no surprise that when it comes to the production of some of the world’s most exclusive and luxurious chess tables, those same principles apply. Now, Eins zu Eins gallery is presenting a show of limited edition chess tables by architect and industrial designer Daniel Weil that epitomize the height of chess table design and construction.
The aptly-titled Grand Master table is handcrafted in Germany, leveraging the specialty of local craftspeople and using premier manufacturing techniques. The table itself is made from solid wenge wood, while the chess board is crafted from a single piece of quality bronze. The bronze reflects the traditional chess board pattern through a process of pigment solution staining, and treated with a clear powder coating ensuring it will retain its brilliance for year—and generations—to come. Completing the work are large, single pieces of naturally dyed full-grain leather situated at each corner, offering an element of refinement and comfort.
Only 10 such Grand Master tables compose the edition, with each bearing a unique edition number and the artist’s signature.
Designer Daniel Weil sitting at a prototype of his Chess Court Table. Courtesy of Eins zu Eins.
The meticulous nature of Weil’s designs is also on display in his Chess Court table. Produced in an edition of 50, this table takes inspiration from both the historic tradition of chess table making as well as modern design innovation. Its use of contrasting wood grains and finishes and bespoke drawers to house the board’s pieces speak to Weil’s creative vision and commitment to quality design.
Originally from Buenos Aires, Daniel Weil studied and worked as a professor at the Royal College of Art, London, and has maintained a rigorous design practice since the early 1980s. One of his first important projects, the Radio Bag (1983), which featured a disassembled radio within a transparent bag, is included in the permanent collections of both the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Weil also worked at Pentagram, one of the world’s leading design firms, from 1992 through 2020. Alongside several of his major projects, Weil has dedicated time to clock making, reflecting his astute attention to detail and interest in mechanical and functional design.
Daniel Weil Chess Court Table. Courtesy of Eins zu Eins.
In the world of chess, Weil’s accomplishments are equally noteworthy, having designed the Official World Chess Championship Chess Set, the only FIDE-approved chess figures that are used at all major chess events.
Tapping a lifetime’s worth of design experience across an array of genres and formats, Weil’s chess tables stand apart in the field for not only their quality but their overall composition—both materially and as objects of important design. Whether for the avid chess player or pure design enthusiast, the Grand Master table and Chess Court table make a distinctive addition to any collection.
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