Why not try an analysis set? They're available from most chess retailors under $20.
https://www.houseofstaunton.com/analysis-chess-set-board-combination.html
https://www.chesshouse.com/products/analysis-chess-set
Looking for a "travel" sized set with annotation along the sides
Sort:
sound67 wrote:
How about this one? - https://www.amazon.com/KIDAMI-Folding-Magnetic-Lightweight-Portable/dp/B01IN2PNTY/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=magnetic+chess+set&qid=1610453159&sr=8-10
It seems nice enough, a little bigger, too. Very positively reviewed, and you can't fake 1,407 ratings. There are some wooden folding sets in that price range, too, but they're very crude indeed.
That one looks exactly like the one I bought. And the annotation numbers and letters along the sides are just as tiny.
zagryan wrote:
Why not try an analysis set? They're available from most chess retailors under $20.
https://www.houseofstaunton.com/analysis-chess-set-board-combination.html
I thought about one of those, but I really dislike vinyl chess "boards" that roll up. I wanted something that looks nice, something I would want to spend time with on these cold winter nights. Something with annotation along the sides is a must. Something small enough to fit on a TV table alongside a glass of wine. 
My little Swiss-made wooden travel set is nice. The pieces are even wood, with little pegs that fit into holes on the board. But unfortunately, no annotation.
Most of my chess time is spent replaying the games of great players from the past, and unless a board has annotation printed on it, I'm lost.
From experience, anything less than a 12" is unsatisfactory. I have 2 of these, one is doweled and duct taped permanently open for use as an analysis set. Who knows if it's the same brand name, but comes from the same factory as mine by the looks and dimensions of it.
@Antonin1957, so what you're looking for is essentially a travel sized wooden chess set with easy to read anotation, all for under $30. There's a magnetic wooden set that meets your criteria. Not sure about shipping cost but you don't have to add EU tax.
https://chessgamesshop.com/mobile.php?c=12&p=31
Yes, this has what he is asking for.
It is available on this side of the pond.
The Rochester Chess Center. https://www.chessset.com/magnetic-chess-green.html
@Eyechess, yes that's the one. I purchased one for a nephew as a Christmas gift from chesshouse when they had them in stock. Hadn't known about Rochester.
This one looks PERFECT. But it's a manufacturer's site. Not a retailer. And it's from 2015. Anyone seen this for sale anywhere?
Magnetic chess set. And magnetic closure as well. Walnut inlay. Large, high contrast notation.
http://thechesssets.com/new-magnetic-chess-sets-take-a-look/
my tips for u is get a thin one, thin as possible
Hi,
My son, my father, and I all play chess. My son received a vinyl rollup chess board awhile back and I was so disappointed in the quality that I started making leather chess boards that roll-up and are made to last a lifetime. I make travel sizes and am happy to customize a travel board for no additional cost. I also customize the colors and absolutely love, love, love making them. Some members here have bought and have left great reviews. My shop on Etsy is called: Kimbo Limbo Boutique. I am a new chess.com member so I am not allowed to leave a link. I hope you find a wonderful board!!! Kindly, Kim McCombs
CheesyApplesauce wrote:
Antonin1957 wrote:
zagryan wrote:
Why not try an analysis set? They're available from most chess retailors under $20.
https://www.houseofstaunton.com/analysis-chess-set-board-combination.html
I thought about one of those, but I really dislike vinyl chess "boards" that roll up. I wanted something that looks nice, something I would want to spend time with on these cold winter nights. Something with annotation along the sides is a must. Something small enough to fit on a TV table alongside a glass of wine.
My little Swiss-made wooden travel set is nice. The pieces are even wood, with little pegs that fit into holes on the board. But unfortunately, no annotation.
Most of my chess time is spent replaying the games of great players from the past, and unless a board has annotation printed on it, I'm lost.
write on the board with a sharpie
I appreciate the helpful and intelligent comments this thread has received. The one from Mr Cheesy is not one of them. I wonder why this person took the time to make such a stupid comment. But then, the chess.com forum is a zoo.
I would be very grateful for any other suggestions that are actually intelligent.
baddogno wrote:
From experience, anything less than a 12" is unsatisfactory. I have 2 of these, one is doweled and duct taped permanently open for use as an analysis set. Who knows if it's the same brand name, but comes from the same factory as mine by the looks and dimensions of it.
https://www.amazon.com/Luoyer-Magnetic-Chessboard-Beginners-Black-White/dp/B081CJQ8LY/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&returnFromLogin=1
You are probably right--there is probably nothing satisfactory that is smaller than 12 inches. But I thought I would ask here anyway. Someone might know of something.
The set you showed was one I looked at on Amazon. But the numbers and letters are so small... I guess the companies that make these smaller sets think everybody is 25 years old with really good eyesight. What is the point of such tiny annotation?
I took off my glasses, and you are correct; the annotation is small enough to be unreadable. Luckily, my eyes are rubbish enough that I do wear my glasses and can easily read them up to 3 or 4 feet away.
It's a bit of a pain but most art supply stores have press on numbers and letters. I'm sure Amazon carries them too. I've put them on several sets. The trick is to place them very gently where you think they should go so they can be rotated a bit if need be before pressing down hard. Still, if you go that route, expect to fill the air with increasingly more inventive curses..
baddogno wrote:
I took off my glasses, and you are correct; the annotation is small enough to be unreadable. Luckily, my eyes are rubbish enough that I do wear my glasses and can easily read them up to 3 or 4 feet away.
It's a bit of a pain but most art supply stores have press on numbers and letters. I'm sure Amazon carries them too. I've put them on several sets. The trick is to place them very gently where you think they should go so they can be rotated a bit if need be before pressing down hard. Still, if you go that route, expect to fill the air with increasingly more inventive curses..
The picture that I use for my avatar is of a very nice, rather small set I bought at a thrift store. It is made of some kind of stone, maybe marble. I bought a pack of round stickies and made annotation letters and numbers that I stick along the sides.
But that doesn't look very elegant. I'm the type of player who enjoys the look of a beautiful chess set and the feel of nicely-made pieces. I don't like those analysis/tournament sets at all. Ugh!
I guess putting little stickies along the sides of a chess board will have to do, but it would be sooo nice to have a small set with readable annotation printed on. Even with my glasses, the numbers on the travel set I bought are hard to read.
I wonder why it does not occur to chess board makers to make the annotation bigger?
I like one of the sets someone showed here, but I see that it is a manufacturer in Poland. I am just not comfortable about giving credit card information to a company in Eastern Europe, sorry to say.
Westsailor32 wrote:
That one is perfect! I will look into Etsy. I vaguely remember hearing their name somewhere. Thank you for the recommendation(s).
Pawnerai wrote:
This one looks PERFECT. But it's a manufacturer's site. Not a retailer. And it's from 2015. Anyone seen this for sale anywhere?
Magnetic chess set. And magnetic closure as well. Walnut inlay. Large, high contrast notation.
http://thechesssets.com/new-magnetic-chess-sets-take-a-look/
I'd like to know where I could buy that set myself
The one from Etsy is beautiful, and the manufacturer was very nice. But the cost of shipping from Poland... Shipping costs as much as the set itself. The total cost would reach almost 100 dollars. I'm not sure I can justify spending that much for a chess set to have on a TV table. Not at my age, with the pandemic raging, and not being sure if I will be employed a week from now.
I might buy it. I'm tempted. I will think about it. It's nice to sometimes do something special for yourself...especially during this horrible time.
A few months ago I bought a new "travel" sized set through Amazon.com. I wanted something to replace my old wood travel set, which I have had for more than 50 years. The hinges are falling apart.
I wanted something I could set up on my TV table and use to play through historic old games while I watch TV.
I wanted a set with annotation along the sides. I learned to play during a different era, and algebraic is new to me.
The set I bought is a magnetic set, wood colored plastic. The name on the box is "Waxmatbi," the set is made in China, and there are Russian letters on the box. Strange. I hope it's not made from some kind of plastic that will give me cancer someday.
The board measures 8'' x 8.5''. There is algebraic annotation along the sides, but the numbers and letters are so tiny they are useless for someone of my age.
Does anyone know of a travel-sized set with *visible* annotation along the sides that costs less than $30? I just don't have a huge amount of money to spend on a chess set.