Modular Chessboard

theorigamist · Post by **theorigamist** » July 19th, 2006, 5:06 am

I wanted to share this design, since it's the only design of mine that I've really liked. I folded Joseph Wu's birdbase chess set from 5.5" or 6" paper and then realized that I would have to use a piece of paper about 7' square to make a chessboard big enough to use it. I had a ton of red 75mm foil squares, so I decided modular would be better. I saw somewhere online that there is a modular design already, but the design looked unnecessarily complicated and it would take a long time to fold 64 units. So I made a much simpler one that I wouldn't be surprised if somebody has already discovered.

Each module is made by blintz-folding twice and unfolding the second one. Then you have a square unit with four tabs. Any of those four tabs can be reverse-folded into the middle along the crease already made to form a pocket. Then, to connect modules, slide a flap into the pocket of another module and fold the connected part to lock them. (I apologize for the description instead of pictures. My digital camera is broken.) Each square of the finished board is 1/4 the size of the original squares used. Plus, unlike most origami chessboards I've seen, this one stays very flat so it can actually be used.

Now I just need to remake the set of chess pieces in red foil. I will take pictures as soon as I can.

paperz · Post by **paperz** » July 19th, 2006, 5:27 am

That's really awesome. I would love to fold this and yes, some pictures would help. Your instructions are however quite clear, so I guess I will go ahead and fold a couple units

islandmassive · Post by **islandmassive** » July 19th, 2006, 3:48 pm

thats the coolest thing since sliced bread and so simple please please post pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

theorigamist · Post by **theorigamist** » July 20th, 2006, 12:59 am

I managed to borrow a digital camera from a friend, so here are some pictures. Sorry about the brightness. The flash reflected a lot and no flash was too dark and blurry, so I went with the flash.

1. Start with a square. White side up will produce a black square, and black side up will produce a white square in the finished chessboard.
[img]http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6228/img0703kq6.th.jpg[/img]

2. Blintz
[img]http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9366/img0704nh4.th.jpg[/img]

3. Blintz again.
[img]http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6178/img0705kl4.th.jpg[/img]

4. Undo the second blintz. I also like to fold the center corned out to the edges, just so they won't be in the way later.
[img]http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1566/img0706kb9.th.jpg[/img]

5. Sinking flaps along the creases made in the second blintz fold gives a pocket. This picture is of a module with three flaps and one pocket.
[img]http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5896/img0707tc7.th.jpg[/img]

6. Here are two interlocked modules.
[img]http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5838/img0708ol2.th.jpg[/img]

7. Here they are without flash so that more detail can be seen.
[img]http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5478/img0714uw4.th.jpg[/img]

8. This has all been the bottom of the chessboard. When you're finished, flip it over so that the smooth side can be used to play on.
[img]http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3723/img0712sd0.th.jpg[/img]

Also, note that even though the bottom of the chessboard is a little messier (it has loose flaps and isn't as smooth) it still lies very flat and also forms a chessboard.

paperz · Post by **paperz** » July 20th, 2006, 3:11 am

Its a masterpiece!!!

Also amazing how fast it gets done! I am making a miniature one

Will post pics soon.

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Modular Chessboard

Modular Chessboard

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