WE Games Mini Magnetic Travel Chess Set – 6-Inch Foldable Board with Durable Vinyl Pieces & Extra Queens– Indoor & Outdoor Magnetic Chess Game - White Logo

My family absolutely LOVES this thing. We have a regular not-for-travel chess board made out of wood that looks nice at home but would definitely not take traveling because it is big and heavy. This tiny little thing, however, is amazing and we can take it anywhere! The magnets are very strong and the pieces do not slide off the board when you pick it up (or snatch it out of your opponent's hand). The pictures on the chess pieces are easily discernable and they even give you a couple extra blank pieces in case you lose others. Pretty genius. Can't go wrong with this set, seriously. Someone commented that they didn't like the way it closes because the magnet on one end is not strong enough to stay closed. The board folds into thirds; the section outside of the chess board square that holds the chess pieces folds over one half of the actual chess board and the other half of the chess board folds over that (on top of the chess pieces). If the section holding the chess pieces had a stronger magnet on the outside then that would help keep the thing closed. However, because of it's size, it is so easy to tuck away anywhere so I don't see any issues with this coming open during travel. Plus, I care more about the chess pieces staying in place, the size of it all and how difficult or easy it is to move the pieces during play. With that in mind, I would 100% recommend this chess set.

This is my smallest and cheapest chess set, in a collection that includes a couple of $200+ wooden sets and a few travel sets. Very minimalist in appearance, it also happens to be my most useful set. It fits comfortably in a shirt pocket and holds the pieces firmly in place. This small magnetic set is perfect for study and setting up/playing through book positions and problems. I find it superior to a smartphone board for this purpose due to less eyestrain (from staring too long at computer lighting) and no drain on the phone battery. I also like the larger board and the tactile factor of moving pieces around by hand. The third panel for organizing and holding pieces in place is a terrific feature that's not commonly found - if at all - in other pocket chess sets. To sum up: for the low price, a perfect pocket study and analysis set that's very easy to handle and not at all bad looking. It's also OK for actual on-the-go game playing, but for this purpose, I prefer a travel (not necessarily pocket) set that's larger and fully three-dimensional.

It's well made, right size, easy to distinguish the pieces and the magnets are strong enough stay in place.

This chess set can be used for play virtually almost anywhere, it looks nice, and works well. The magnetic pieces are strong enough to hold onto the board, except for in my case where one of the pawns has a weaker magnetic charge than the rest of the pieces. As such, it is easier to move around by accident and I will often open my set to a haphazard set of pieces bumped around by the rogue pawn, or the pawn will sometimes accidentally fall out of the case. It is impossible to buy individual replacement pieces so you will have to buy a second set if you're worried about this happening.

So great for travel

No doubt you’ve heard the expression, “build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door”? Now WE Games has built the better checkbook magnetic chess set and it is available here from Family Board Games. Chess players have long been disappointed by the poor design and inferior construction of USCF’s (and other) checkbook magnetic sets. Until now the classic checkbook magnetic chess set has only been an idea waiting to be perfected. In every sense, without exaggeration, this set is truly the ultimate checkbook magnetic chess set. I see there are misplaced reviews here for similar but not the same or equal products so please do not be misled. This unique WE Games checkbook magnetic chess set is exactly as described by Family Board Games. Unlike any other checkbook magnetic chess set, the third panel is also magnetized (no sloppy “pouch”). All three magnetic panels grip the also strongly magnetized chessmen very securely so they cannot go missing in action. The pieces themselves are very well designed and easy to manipulate. Also, the WE Games checkbook magnetic set includes four Queens, the hallmark of quality in any type of chess set. In every way, this checkbook magnetic set is all about quality not to be found in any other. If you are looking for a superb and functional checkbook magnetic chess set, you’d better order yours now from Family Board Games before the chess world beats a path to their door!

Can't say enough good things about this set -- it folds up small enough to fit anywhere, has durable magnetic pieces that are strong enough to stay on the board if you have to put it away and come back to it later, and is easy to clean (if you, like me, are playing in coffee shops and bars while traveling). I've gotten a ton of complements on it, and I'm really just super pleased overall.

I was hoping to buy a small portable chess set to work on problems and as a study tool. However, it has a rather noticeable musty odor and will require at least a month to air out before I can use it regularly. Apparently the PU leather this set is made out of picks up mold/mildew rather easily. Sort of defeats the purpose of buying it, right? Otherwise, it looks like it would get done what I needed it for.