I cannot see if there is checkering or not underneath.
My supposition is, in either case of an original fitment or as a repair, that there wouldn't be as the wood would need to be taken down some to make the plates fit flush.
In fact, using plates that are the same thickness as existing checkering would make fitting easier IMO.
The best way I can think of to insure a consistent and even removal of wood surface for the plates is to checker to a known depth and then knock down the peaks using the cuts as a depth guide.
I really want to take them off to get a good look but am scared to do it!