Amritpal Singh is an award winning, third generation chess-maker. This work was started by his grandfather who crafted various items out of ivory and white sandalwood. After both of these were banned, they started using wood. Commonly used wood types are: papri (boxwood), tali (sheesham), acacia, aabnoos and red sandalwood. For chess pieces papri is used. This is sourced from the jungles of Bihar. If necessary, Amritpal Singh goes to these remote areas himself to source the wood.

Though he is now known for his innumerable designs of chess sets, Amritpal Singh used to also craft murti sets, which are now not so much in demand. His chess sets are in great demand both in the national and international market. For local supplies the distribution happens from Jalandhar games suppliers. Germany is the biggest international market. Amritpal Singh has adapted several movie characters for his chess sets. The most famous being the Sikandar-Porus set. He has also made chess sets based on Lord of the Rings. The former, he says, is very popular with the retired army officers.

Amritpal Singh is a diploma holder in arts and crafts and carpentry. He teaches arts and crafts in schools and also gives home tuition, especially in making murti sets and clay modelling. His mini chess set made inside a light bulb fetched him a mention in the Limca Book of Records. He was given the State Award by the Punjab Government in the field of Arts (woodcraft) in 2013. However, he says that beyond the award there is no help from the government to encourage arts and crafts among the younger generation, as a result of which these are not being taken forward and in the absence of suitable recognition and posts, most leave the country for better prospects. He had gone to Australia to showcase his craft, which was not only appreciated by the people but also by the government of Australia. He strongly feels that the government here too needs to give such importance and such facilities to the artists and craftsmen to discourage them from looking for work elsewhere.

His workshop is located at Focal Point, Amritsar. He can be contacted on 98555 88196; https://www.facebook.com/amritsarhandicraft