I'm so frustrated.  I've been told to pick out a nice chess board and pieces as a gift for my birthday.  Although I live in Chicago, a huge city, finding chess equipment has been a real challenge.

 

I have always wanted a nice wooden board with notation.  Recently, I found one that doubles as a box and folds.  It's quite large, but the pieces it comes with are very light.  The total cost is around $70 USD.  Looking online at places like wholesale chess, etc. has turned up few boards, but they are quite expensive (in my opinion).

 

Can anyone recommend a nice wooden chess board that has notation on it? 

you can't get much lower priced than wholesalechess.com. if you go much lower then you are going to get what you pay for, sadly. i would NOT get a folding board. they are usually terrible! what about this one? http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_boards/Quality+Wood+Chessboard++%2821%22%29

 and these pieces?

http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_pieces/Superior+Classic+Wooden+Chess+Pieces+%283+%BE%22+King%29 

i don't no were you can get a notation board but i do know you can get a wooden board at an old war store in Getysburg,PA and it foldes

Maybe the real question I should be asking is what is a decent source for chess products in Chicago.

As wholesalechess.com are a sponsor, check them out.

 

I've orders stuff from House of Staunton before and been happy. Their wooden boards with notation are at:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/board5.html

 

I agree with Eric, not a fan of folding boards. If a regular size board isn't portable enough, I'd go with a premium plastic set and padded vinly board that rolls up. Particularly if the budget is in the $70 range.

This isn't what you really asked, but have you ever given any thought to using software to learn the chessboard without the use of printed coordinates? I'm using Chess Eye in order to strengthen that very weakness. I hope--perhaps urealistically considering the age at which I began to study chess--to eventually be able to play blind chess. Anywho... just a thought.

I am a fan of folding boards, particularly gigantic ones that fold into foam-lined boxes to house the pieces.

erik wrote:

you can't get much lower priced than wholesalechess.com. if you go much lower then you are going to get what you pay for, sadly. i would NOT get a folding board. they are usually terrible! what about this one? http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_boards/Quality+Wood+Chessboard++%2821%22%29

 and these pieces?

http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_pieces/Superior+Classic+Wooden+Chess+Pieces+%283+%BE%22+King%29 

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yea wholescalechess is great

 

I purchased the Heavy Tournament Chess set from WholesaleChess.com a couple of weeks ago and am really pleased with it. The pieces are triple weighted, comes with a vinyl roll up board and a carry bag. All for $20. I love it.