Hrachya Ohanyan

Journal

Buying guides, game rules, care tips and the stories behind our hand-carved chess and backgammon sets.

Walnut backgammon set with the Armenian coat of arms and braided motifs
Armenian Symbols in Our Designs: Eternity Sign, Pomegranate and More
What the Armenian eternity sign, pomegranate, grapevine, Mount Ararat, alphabet and coat of arms mean, and where each symbol appears in our boards. Read more...
Handmade wooden chess set with the Mount Ararat outline, 50 cm
How to Choose a Chess Set: Size, Pieces and Wood
Square size, Staunton-style pieces, walnut or beech and the right format: a practical guide to choosing a chess set for play, display or a gift. Read more...
Classic hand-carved chess and backgammon set, 70 cm, ready to be engraved as a personalized Christmas gift
Personalized Christmas Gifts: Engraved Chess and Backgammon Sets
How to give a chess or backgammon set engraved with a name, date or short wish: how our free engraving works, Christmas message ideas, tips and the dates to order... Read more...
Hand-carved chess and backgammon set with a Mount Ararat wavy edge, a handmade Christmas gift
Christmas Gifts for Chess and Backgammon Lovers: Handmade Ideas for 2026
Handmade Christmas gift ideas for chess and backgammon lovers, sorted by budget from small keepsakes to heirloom boards, with free engraving and the dates to order by for delivery before... Read more...
Hand-carved walnut backgammon board with the Mount Ararat outline
The History of Backgammon: From Ancient Persia to Nardi
Who invented backgammon, and how old is it? A sourced history of the game, from ancient race games and Persian nard to the doubling cube and Armenian nardi. Read more...
Handmade 50 cm wooden chess set with the Mount Ararat outline, a gift idea for chess players
Gift Ideas for Chess Players: 10 Handmade Gifts for Every Level
What do you give a chess player? Ten ideas for beginners, club players and collectors, from an engraved chess set to a chess table, with tips on engraving and delivery. Read more...
Handmade 60 cm wooden backgammon set with the eternity sign and bronze details, a gift for backgammon players
Gifts for Backgammon Players: 10 Ideas Every Player Will Love
Looking for a gift for a backgammon player? Here are 10 ideas, from an engraved backgammon set to dice in a gift box, with tips on sizes, engraving and delivery... Read more...
Handmade 60 cm wooden backgammon board with the Mount Ararat outline
Backgammon Board Sizes: 30, 40, 50 or 60 cm — Which Should You Choose?
30, 40, 50 or 60 cm? A practical guide to backgammon board sizes: what each board weighs and who it suits best. Read more...
Handmade three-player backgammon board with epoxy resin ornaments
Three-Player Backgammon: How to Play Backgammon With 3 People
Can you play backgammon with three people? Yes — on a special three-sided board, or on a standard board with a chouette. Here is how both work. Read more...
Handmade wooden chess set with the Mount Ararat outline
Chess Rules for Beginners: How to Play Chess Step by Step
Board setup, how each piece moves, check and checkmate, castling, en passant and promotion — a clear guide to your first game of chess. Read more...
Handmade chess and backgammon gifts by Hrachya Ohanyan
Handmade Gift Guide: Chess, Backgammon and Wooden Gifts for Every Occasion
Find the right handmade gift by occasion and recipient: engraved chess and backgammon sets, plus wall clocks, wooden watches and more. Read more...
Walnut backgammon set with a hand-carved Noah's Ark scene and Mount Ararat outline
Mount Ararat in Our Designs: The Story Behind Our Signature Outline
Why Mount Ararat (Masis) is the symbol of Armenia, from its two peaks and the Ark story to the coat of arms, and how its outline became the signature of... Read more...
Handmade walnut backgammon set with Armenian coat of arms and world map
Walnut vs. Beech: Which Wood Is Right for Your Game Board?
Walnut or beech for a chess or backgammon board? Compare hardness, grain, carving, ageing and stability, with published figures for each wood. Read more...
Handmade walnut chess and backgammon set
How to Care for a Wooden Chess or Backgammon Set
Cleaning, humidity, sunlight, beeswax and bronze hardware — simple habits that keep a handmade wooden board beautiful for decades. Read more...
Handmade walnut backgammon board with the Mount Ararat outline
Backgammon Rules for Beginners: Learn to Play in 10 Minutes
Board setup, moving, doubles, hitting, the bar and bearing off — everything you need for your first game of backgammon, plus a note on long nardi. Read more...
Handmade walnut backgammon set with hand-carved geometric pattern
How to Choose a Handmade Backgammon Set: A Buyer's Guide
Wood, size, carving, hardware and pieces — what to look for when you choose a handmade backgammon set that will last for generations. Read more...