Variety offers this 7-in-1 board game that includes chess, dominoes and backgammon.

Makers raise visual appeal with war and futuristic motifs. Multiple game sets are also drawing attention.

Design enhancements on India's chess sets and board games center on aesthetics and versatility.

With regard to the former, most suppliers are focusing on handcrafted releases in novelty themes. A number of chess sets, for instance, come with pieces that resemble robots, Roman guards, extraterrestrial beings, skeletons and warriors. Classical styles also remain popular. Dominoes and peg solitaire, meanwhile, feature multicolor tiles and balls.

Many of the latest board games are made of wood, including pine, MDF, and sheesham and boxwood. Models are sanded, buffed and given a natural finish to highlight environment-friendliness. Marble, soapstone, bone and horn are adopted as well. Most designs in these materials are manually carved. Glass and metal are likewise utilized. Product in the latter may have brass- or copper-plating, or an antique finish.

Materials are sourced from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Highlighting versatility, manufacturers are launching models that combine two or more games. Chess-backgammon sets are common. Others incorporate cribbage, tic-tac-toe, ludo, dominoes and peg solitaire. Many come with foldable boards for increased portability. Several versions are magnetic. Some chess sets come with tables and clocks. Select releases feature storage bins with colored felt or foam lining.

Quotes of chess sets and board games from India start at $2.50 and can exceed $50. The materials, design and size are the main price differentiators.

Low-end releases are single-game sets made of sheesham wood. The selection includes dominoes, ludo, peg solitaire, tic-tac-toe, cribbage and card games with dice. These have boards measuring 4 to 6in in length. Models go for $2.50 to $5.

Chess and backgammon sets headline the midrange segment. Many come with 6 to 12in-long foldable and magnetic boards. Bowling, peg solitaire and dominoes are also available. Some combine two or three games and feature foam-lined storage bins. Products adopt sheesham wood. These list at $5.50 to $20.

High-end designs are mostly chess sets with handcarved pieces in sheesham wood, pine, bone, horn, brass, marble, soapstone or glass. Boards measure 14 to 20in long. The majority are magnetic and have storage bins. Some incorporate five to seven games. Prices are $20.50 to above $50.

India has between 800 and 1,000 board game manufacturers. An estimated 200 to 300 have direct-export rights. Most are situated in Armritsar in Punjab. The city is the main production center for wooden board games in the country. Large enterprises number about 50 and have a monthly capacity of 5,000 sets. There are approximately 100 midsize companies and these are capable of producing 2,000 sets every 30 days. Small businesses have a monthly capacity of 1,000 sets.

The US, the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy are the key export locations. Suppliers anticipate 10 to 15 percent growth in overseas revenue in the next six months as makers continue to expand their selections. A number of makers are also planning to penetrate Canada, Australia and the Middle East.

India makers face stiff competition from Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh rivals as these hubs also focus on handcrafted wooden releases. China, on the other hand, specializes in mass production and boasts mechanized facilities.

Related report:
Standards compliance, QC make headway in wooden toys

Product gallery

Meenakshi Handicraft Emporium
Model: Chess set
MOQ: 50 sets
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $12
Description: Chess set; classical style; handcarved; pine, sheesham wood; buffed, natural finish; storage bin with felt lining; 12x12in

Meenakshi Handicraft Emporium
Model: Folding Chess Set
MOQ: 50 sets per design
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $7.50
Description: Chess set; foldable magnetic board; handcarved; pine, sheesham wood; buffed, natural finish; storage bin with felt lining; 7x7in

Sunira Exports
Model: 2-in-1 Chess Set With Backgammon
MOQ: 50 sets
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $12.50
Description: 2-in-1 chess, backgammon set; magnetic board; sheesham wood; natural finish; backgammon board doubles as storage drawer; 7x7in

The Art Shop
Model: Solitaire
MOQ: 25 sets per design
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $5.50
Description: Peg solitaire; handmade; sheesham wood; natural finish; white glass balls; 9in board diameter

Variety Arts Emporium
Model: SG-53
MOQ: 50 sets
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $22.30
Description: 7-in-1 board game; includes chess, checkers, dominoes, peg solitaire, backgammon; pine, sheesham wood; natural finish; glass balls; storage bin; 9x9in

Variety Arts Emporium
Model: GS-501
MOQ: 50 sets
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $85
Description: Chess set; pine, sheesham wood; natural finish; foldable board; hardcarved copper-plated brass pieces; storage bin; 16x16in