How big should the squares on a chess board be?

I understand there are 64 squares on a chess board (32 of each color). I am making one from poster board. If the square of the board is about 12 x 12 (11 3/4 x 11 3/4 exactly) how big should the smaller squares be?





Thanks for the help!|||The squares on a chess board should be large enough to fit the pieces you are going to be playing. If you make them too small, things will tend to get knocked over during the "heat of battle." The easiest way is to measure the base diameter of the king piece (or whatever is the widest point) and add one-half inch.





To come at this from the other perspective, if the board is 12 inches by 12 inches, you need eight squares across (or 1.5 inches each).





This size square will play fine if your chess pieces (particulary the king, who is usually the largest) are about one inch across at the base.





Good luck!|||dont forget about a "border"


a 1/2 border gives you a playing area of 10x10


1%26amp;1/4 squares...with a little left over





you dont have enough material for 1%26amp;1/2 squares





you can do 1%26amp;3/8 without a border?|||11.75 / 8 = 1.46875





the board is 8 squares by 8 squares. take the width of the board and divide by 8|||About twenty five percent larger than the diameter of the pieces to be used on said chess board.|||an inch





I can't remember how many go across, 8 or 10?