e4 Chess Set

Year: Spring 2022
Location: Atlanta, GA
Purpose: Make 10-ID 3803 @Georgia Tech
Materials: (Red) Maple Veneer, Stainless Steel, White Maple, Walnut, Neodymium
Processes: Laser Cutting/Engraving, Handtool Usage, Milling, Gluing
Size: 17in x 17in x 2in (x10)

The Opportunity:  Create 10 of a product with market opportunity, is inventive, and can be repeatedly manufactured. The final prduct would be entered into a competition and sold at the end of the semester show.

The Result: The world’s first hybrid tabletop / wall-mounted chess set. That won 2nd place based on the requirements above.

The inspiration for the e4 chess set came from how chess instructors educate large student groups in person. A tabletop board isn’t visible to a large number of spectators and takes up valuable space occupied by other objects. By changing the mode by which the chess set is represented, the modality of the game of chess is expanded upon.

The e4 chess set’s flexibility allows the user to interact with the game of chess differently. Standing makes the game casual and inviting to a new player and other spectators. The game can be easily put on pause and resumed with a new perspective. Outside of traditional play, e4 serves as an art piece for displaying famous games or interesting puzzles.

The e4 chess board is made of high-quality raster engraved red maple veneer and stainless steel. The pieces are raster engraved white maple and walnut with neodymium magnets. Because of the standardized process, these materials could be customized by the customer for a more personalized set.

All ten e4 boards were successfully made by the 2022 Make 10 Event. All of the sets were sold with 8/10 sold at the event. Additionally, The e4 chess set was awarded 2nd place in the Orange Sparkle Ball Design competition for its market opportunity, value, inventiveness, and manufacturability.