Staining a board game - Camelot

[AceHarding]

Hey guys, I'm brand new to the forum (and the craft).

I'm working on making a home made version of the game "Camelot" (also known as "Chivalry" or "Inside Moves"). It's similar to both checkers and Chinese checkers, with pawn-like pieces to represent "men" and "knights".

I solicited some advice from the beginners forum, then realized many of my questions centered around staining, so here I am.

My questions for you:

Can basswood be stained dark enough for the black pieces? Or should I simply paint them? The game has black and white pieces. Obviously I don't expect a jet black stain, as long they are significantly darker. If so, any favorite flavors?

Checkerboard pattern with stain? For the spaces, I was considering a checkered pattern using a light and dark stain -- is this even worth considering?

Thank you in advance for your time and sage wisdom. Anything you can offer will be greatly appreciated.