Chess table on the border

Welcome to our unique chess table! Perhaps the most unique chess table in the world! Nowhere in the world is there a chess table where the border runs exactly through the middle of the board and where chess players are both physically in another country. The border runs right through the garden of the former monastery that currently serves as a cultural center used by residents of both countries.

The chess table was officially opened on April 23, 2025 by the mayors of both municipalities (Marjon de Hoon-van Veelenturf (mayor of Baarle-Nassau) and Philip Loots (mayor of Baarle-Hertog) and by the Dutch grandmaster chess player Anne Haast and the Belgian chess master Ruben Akhayan.

The initiative surrounding this unique chess table was created through a collaboration between the Belgian municipality of Baarle Hertog, its Siamese twin municipality of Baarle Nassau, Toerisme Baarle (working for both municipalities) and the local business association. The concept emphasizes the bizarre situation in this fascinating village where the border runs straight through houses and streets. As a result, Belgians and Dutch people work, live and enjoy each other.

The chess table can be used by chess players, residents and anyone who visits our beautiful village and would like to experience what it is like to play against someone who is in another country. Do you also want to play a game of chess? The chess pieces can be purchased or rented from:

1. Visit Baarle: Singel 1, Baarle Nassau (NL); opening hours: see website
2. Cultural Center Baarle: Pastoor de Katerstraat 5, Baarle Hertog (BE), Pastoor de Katerstraat 7, Baarle Nassau (NL), open daily from 8:00-17:00, Saturday and Sunday (closed).

Location chess table: In the monastery garden of cultural center Baarle; accessible via the parking lot at Molenbaan, Pastoor de katerstraat 5, Baarle Hertog (BE), Pastoor de katerstraat 7, Baarle Nassau (NL).

Don't forget to take a nice picture and send it to Visit Baarle on Instagram.