I think this is a very good idea... not that this is a technically bad pic or anything but the lighting and the angle this pic could have been improved to a more studio like appearance making it a higher scorer.. Going with an all black background you could have chosen a single light source to make it more dramatic.. obviously this is my opionion and I have much to learn.. :) good luck!
Choice of greenish men on greenish chess board hurts this image directly. Black and white spaces would have created a much needed contrast element.
Great concept and well setup. Great focus, crop etc. Comes off as flat due to coloration conflicts.