Game Night, Elevated: Orsina Noughts & Crosses vs Chess vs Backgammon Compared

There's a growing movement away from screens and back to the table — and the games you choose say something about your home as much as your taste in play. Orsina's range of premium tabletop games, available in our Board Games collection, are designed to do double duty: they play beautifully and look stunning on a coffee table or shelf. Today we're comparing three of their standout pieces — the Sheesham Wood Noughts & Crosses, the Magnetic Wood Chess Set, and the Foldable Backgammon Set — to help you find the right one for your home and your game nights.

Orsina Sheesham Wood Noughts & Crosses — The Elegant Conversation Starter (£24.95)

Noughts and Crosses is the most universal game in the world — everyone knows it, everyone can play it, and it takes about thirty seconds to learn. What Orsina have done is take that simplicity and dress it in something genuinely beautiful. This set is handcrafted from richly grained Sheesham wood, with silver-tone aluminium motifs on the sides that catch the light and give it a tailored, contemporary edge.

Because each piece is handcrafted, no two sets are identical — the grain and character vary subtly, making yours genuinely one of a kind. The integrated storage case keeps pieces organised and makes it as easy to display as it is to play. At £24.95 it's the most accessible entry point into the Orsina range, and an effortless gift for anyone who appreciates design.

Best for: Coffee table styling, gifting, families, design-conscious homes
Material: Sheesham wood with silver aluminium accents
Players: 2
Notable: Handcrafted — each piece unique, integrated storage
Price: £24.95

Shop the Orsina Sheesham Wood Noughts & Crosses →

Orsina Magnetic Wood Chess Set — The Heirloom Travel Classic (£68.95)

Chess is the game that rewards a lifetime of play, and the Orsina Magnetic Wood Chess Set is the kind of board that makes you want to play more of it. The board is crafted from Acacia wood with a polished finish and rich natural grain; the pieces are hand-carved cedar, each nestled in custom interior inserts when not in use. Slim brass hinges and latches give the case a satisfying, jewellery-box quality when you open and close it.

The integrated magnetic base is the practical masterstroke — pieces stay put whether you're playing at a desk, on a train, or in the garden. It's a set that transitions seamlessly from a serious game to a display piece on your bookshelf, and at £68.95 it's the kind of purchase that lasts decades rather than years.

Best for: Chess players, travel, display, gifting, those who want a set for life
Material: Acacia board, hand-carved cedar pieces
Players: 2
Notable: Magnetic base, brass hinges, custom piece inserts
Price: £68.95

Shop the Orsina Magnetic Wood Chess Set →

Orsina Black & White Foldable Backgammon Set — The Statement Showpiece (£80.95)

Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world, and the Orsina Foldable Backgammon Set gives it a thoroughly modern makeover. The high-contrast design — crisp white field, jet-black points — is bold and graphic in a way that looks intentional rather than accidental. The premium resin construction gives it a smooth, weighted feel that's immediately apparent when you handle it, and the satisfying hinge mechanism and rounded edges speak to the quality of engineering throughout.

When the game is over, the board folds into a tidy compact case that keeps counters and dice perfectly organised. It's as much a piece of modern décor as it is a game — the kind of thing you leave on the coffee table because it looks good there. At £80.95 it's the most premium of the three, and worth every penny for the statement it makes.

Best for: Design-led homes, backgammon enthusiasts, statement gifting, coffee table display
Material: Premium resin
Players: 2
Notable: Foldable compact case, high-contrast monochrome design, weighted counters
Price: £80.95

Shop the Orsina Foldable Backgammon Set →

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

If you want a beautiful, accessible game that works for all ages and makes a thoughtful gift at a great price, the Sheesham Noughts & Crosses is the easy choice. If you play chess — or want to start — and want a set that will last a lifetime and look good doing it, the Magnetic Chess Set is the one to invest in. And if you want the most visually striking piece of the three — something that genuinely elevates a room — the Foldable Backgammon Set is the showstopper.

All three are made to be played and displayed. Browse the full Orsina range and more in our Board Games collection and find the game that belongs on your table.