Chess board and pieces

[bcoyle99]

Hi, I'm new here so apologies if this has been covered before. I've decided to make a chess board and will also attempt to make matching pieces.
1. Firstly, I'd love advice on the type of wood to use. I'm after a solid, heavy feel to the board. I've done a bit of reading online and noticed that some boards/pieces are made from Rosewood and Ebony for the dark squares/pieces and Maple for the lighter squares/pieces. I'm a complete novice when it comes to knowing types of wood and their availability in Australia so I'd love suggestions please?
I understand that some wood is more difficult to turn so this may also influence the type of wood I should use.
2. If suggestions are made for the types of wood, any info on where to source the wood would also be appreciated. I'm based in Sydney and Canberra.

Thanks!

[AlexS]

I've made boards using jarrah or Australian cedar for the dark squares, and silver ash for the light ones, but I don't know how they are for turning, though I suspect they're quite OK.

[Gabriel]

My first project that got me enthused into woodworking was a chessboard. I made it into a coffee table. The squares were all jarrah. I found some very light and some very dark. It worked really well. Haven't tacked making pieces for it though.

Cheers
Gab

[dai sensei]

Dark - Gidgee, Inland Rosewood or other Acacias as they turn well and take a good finish. Jarrah, Redgum etc can also be used but harder to get a good finish on in such small pieces.

Light - Holly or Silver Ash would be best but Maple is also fine.

Do a search in Woodturning and General Woodwork, you should find examples of those made by others. You should also join a woodturning club, they may have examples and give you some guidance.

[elanjacobs]

American walnut for dark and cherry or rock maple for light. They're all fine grained and beautiful to turn