Hi there! It looks like a great space, but a couple of thoughts for you...

a) You have too much (and too large) of furniture going on! I would suggest a smaller chair that has a smaller profile and keep them consistent, instead of mixing and matching the colors. The current selections are too big in scale and makes the space feel crowded. I would suggestion something like: [https://www.houzz.com/products/beatrix-velvet-side-chair-gray-prvw-vr~88291434[(https://www.houzz.com/products/beatrix-velvet-side-chair-gray-prvw-vr~88291434)

b) I would actually avoid a round rug and go with something that has a more unique shape. With the round table, round light and round side table; having a variation in shape would make the space feel more dynamic. My suggestion would be hide rug; something like: [https://www.houzz.com/products/salt-and-pepper-speckled-black-white-brazilian-hair-on-hide-rug-prvw-vr~32326375[(https://www.houzz.com/products/salt-and-pepper-speckled-black-white-brazilian-hair-on-hide-rug-prvw-vr~32326375)

c) Love the table! Just needs a different chair.

Love that you created a space your husband can play Chess at, so cool. Good luck!!

It's not working for me as the furniture is only so so for either function and doesn't work for both.

The chairs are not conducive to working at table height and the table height is not conducive to coffee table or putting feet up. In fact I think it would be close to eye level so people would be uncomfortable sitting across from each other to converse.

Maybe it would work better with a round table that has adjustable height. But I doubt it as the chairs are good for leaning back, not good for sitting forward over a table.

I'd go with the games table, knowing that people can sit with drinks and such and converse over that too. If you make the chairs around the table comfy, it should work.

I agree that the chairs and table don't work together. You could go with a game table with more upright chairs, as mentioned by a previous poster--something like a dining set but cozier. Or stick with low arm chairs (id do all 4 the same, personally, or arrange them in matching pairs rather than opposite) with a lower coffee table and put the higher chess table between two chairs instead of in the center.

If the purpose of the space is to have a place to play chess and/or other games, you need a slightly larger table and chairs that are more like dining chairs. Having four matching chairs will make the space more cohesive. The below picture is from the blog Making It Lovely. While you probably want to go modern rather than traditional, it gives a good idea, I think, of the kind of furniture that would work. I see lots of upholstered dining chairs in navy or gray for not too much money.

Maybe these chairs?

Thanks for all the input and recommendations. We're sending everything back. My husband is fine with a lower coffee table we can play chess on and still be able to have after-dinner conversations with guests. That higher table was definitely a hindrance!