Open the hinged board. The pieces wait inside, lined up in their dark grooves.
Each piece is turned from solid wood, sanded smooth, weighty enough to feel real in a small hand. Set them out, decide who goes first, and the afternoon settles around the board.
Hand-finished beech, classic carved silhouettes, everything tucked back into the lid when the game is over.
A first chess set, made to be passed on.