Sims 4 - chess table and chairs but can't play or ponder moves; why?

@Lilrn2011  This is just a guess, but have you tried using dining chairs?  I don't think living chairs work, maybe because they can't scoot.  And try moving the chess table after you've placed the chairs.  If they're placed correctly, so a sim can use them, the table and chairs should move as a unit when you select the table.