Storing a Chess Set Properly: Where Damage Actually Happens
Most damage to a chess set doesn't happen while it's being played. It happens in the months in between — in a drawer, an attic, a basement. A board that gets played for years ages beautifully. One that gets stored badly eventually falls apart.
The three enemies: moisture, dryness, sun
Moisture makes wood swell. A basement is the classic mistake — cool and damp, it lets the board absorb water and start to move.
Dryness is the opposite, and just as damaging. Right next to or above a heat source, running through a winter of central heating: the wood loses moisture, shrinks, and in the worst case, cracks.
Sun bleaches. A board near a window loses its color within a single summer — unevenly, since one side gets more exposure than the other.
The worst case is fluctuation. An attic that's hot and dry in summer, cold and damp in winter, is the surest way to ruin a good board.
The best storage spot is the simplest one
Wherever you're comfortable yourself. Normal room temperature, normal humidity, no direct sunlight.
A shelf in the living room beats any specialty box in the basement. A cabinet in a heated room beats the attic. It really is that simple.
Flat or upright?
A detail people often miss: a board should lie flat, not stand on its edge. Stood upright on a shelf like a book, the entire weight rests on one edge — over years, that can gradually warp the board.
Lying flat, the weight distributes evenly. And if you're stacking anything on top: nothing heavy.
The pieces: separated and cushioned
Thirty-two pieces loose in a drawer are thirty-two pieces scratching each other. Every time the drawer opens, they roll around and knock together.
Better: two separate cloth bags, one for light pieces, one for dark. Better still: a case with a fitted insert, giving each piece its own spot. That way they never touch, and you notice immediately if one's missing.
A common mistake: storing pieces in plastic bags. They don't let air through — trap any residual moisture, and mold can develop.
The simplest tip of all
Leave it set up.
A chess set sitting on the table gets played. One that's put away gets forgotten. And there's a side benefit: a table in the living room already has exactly the conditions wood likes.
If space is tight, a case is the answer — it can sit on a shelf and look good doing it, while the pieces stay protected inside.
After playing outdoors
If you've played in the garden or on the porch: bring it back in. Don't leave it out overnight. Morning dew alone is enough to introduce moisture into the wood — and a set left outdoors all summer is a different set by September.
Schachatelier: at home in Berlin
Schachatelier is at home in Berlin. Every set is genuinely handcrafted by experienced makers — with thoughtful storage, so every piece has its place between games too.
→ Explore handcrafted chess sets
Frequently Asked Questions
Where's the best place to store a chess set?
In a heated living space, at normal humidity, away from direct sunlight. Basements and attics don't work — humidity and temperature swing too much there.
Should a chess board lie flat or stand upright?
Flat. Stood upright on a shelf like a book, the entire weight rests on one edge, which can gradually warp the board over the years.
How should chess pieces be stored?
Separated by color, in cloth bags or, better, in a case with a fitted insert. Left loose in a drawer, they scratch each other over time; plastic bags don't allow airflow.
