Travel Chess Sets
A travel chess set is a set specially designed to be used during travel. Sometimes it is also referred to as a magnetic chess set. A good travel chess set will have certain characteristics: appropriate size, a way to attach pieces to the board and a place to store the pieces.
Size: a travel chess set should be small enough so that it is easy to carry around and set up even with limited space available. At the same time pieces should be large enough to be recognizable and easy to move around.
A way to attach pieces to the board: the pieces must be attached so that they won't fall over all the time if you play in an unstable environment (on a bus for example). The most common and convenient method is having magnetic pieces and chessboard. With strong enough magnets the pieces will stay in their places.
A place to store the pieces: the pieces have to be store somewhere between the games, as well as during the game when they are captured. One could have a separate box for them, but that is not too convenient. Some boards are foldable in such way that a box is created when the board is folded. It is a good way to store pieces between the games, but during the game captured pieces have to be put somewhere else, so that is not really convenient. A storage space underneath the board seems to be the best idea, as it allows storing the pieces during the game.
Magnetic Travel Chess Set - Round
Magnetic Travel Chess Set - Round
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A round magnetic travel chess set. Storage for pieces is underneath. Two sizes: 6 inch (15 cm) or 9 inch (22.5 cm) diameter.
Magnetic Travel Chess Set - Square
Magnetic Travel Chess Set - Square
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A square magnetic travel chess set. Storage for pieces is underneath. Two sizes: 10 inch (25 cm) or 12 inch (30 cm) side.
Folding Magnetic Travel Chess Set
Folding Magnetic Travel Chess Set
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A square foldable magnetic travel chess set. Two sizes: 7 inch (17.5 cm) or 12 inch (30 cm) side.