To me, a checker board quilt looks like a checker board - two fabrics cut into equal sized squares and pieced. A sashing and border around the checkerboard completes the quilt top. It's easy and fast, and the right fabrics can make it into a gorgeous quilt.
I made one to be a charity quilt, and loved it so much that I donated it to me! All of the fabrics and batting were from my own stash, so my conscience is clear about it. If it had even one square of fabric from one of the guilds that I belong to, some child would have it. That is a very strict rule that I made for myself as I don't want to consider the fabrics in the guild closets an extension of my stash.