Travel set for analysis

Greetings.  This is my first post here.  I’m fairly new at chess. 

I want to buy a travel chess set, primarily for working through book problems; sometimes at a table and sometimes on my lap, sometimes for hours and sometimes just during a spare 20 minutes.

I’ve looked online at magnetic wallet, magnetic wood box with slide-out shelf, and pegged with a hinged cover.

I’m interested in knowing what you like for this purpose and why. I also have a couple specific questions on the two pegged sets that I like, for those who have seen or used them, links immediately below. 

a.  http://tinyurl.com/2p398k

Q1.  For (a), what kind of hinge is used on the cover?  Single long metal hinge on the outside of the cover, or two metal hinges on the inside or outside of the cover?   I’m wondering about the purpose of the two pieces of green felt going from the cover to the base.  I hope those aren’t the hinges.  Perhaps for aesthetics to cover the hinges? 

b.  http://www.chessexpressstore.com/peganchesset.html

Q2.  Is (b) that much better quality than (a)?  It does look nicer to me in the picture.  I’m sure (a) is perfectly functional.  I see lots of them (a) on the web, indicating they’re a popular choice for that design.  I’ve only found the one URL for the $60 (b) model.  I don’t mind paying the extra money though if truly superior construction and beauty.  It should last a life time.  Wish I could see and handle before I buy, but not worth a 1.5 hr drive each way to Portland and gas $, even if I could find them in a brick and mortar store. 

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For your interest or comments, here’s my pros and cons analysis.

## Pros of pegged:

-  Pieces I’m not using for the current problem are upright on the side lines and easily accessible for set up of the next problem. 

-  Captured pieces for the current problem can be put in the hinged cover that is now open to the side, to easily keep track of material exchanges.  (I might prefer a little bin for this purpose at each end of the board behind the sidelined pieces, or to the sides, and a cover that comes off and fits under the board rather than hinged to the side, but I haven’t seen that.)

-  The cover can be closed to hold pieces in place for continuation of the problem later. 

## Cons of pegged.

-  When using on my lap with a book, the box cover might flop around or get in the way. 

## Considerations for magnetic box, and wallet, versus pegged.

-  Magnetic box would be slightly easier to move and exchange pieces, versus pegged.   Might be my choice if always on a table where I can put pieces I’m not using on the table, but maybe not my choice for use on my lap or on the bed.

-   Wallet would be super portable.   Portability isn’t my highest priority though, as I would usually have a car or brief case or bag available, or would be carrying a book with me anyway.  Would be compromising ease of handling of disk pieces I think, versus pegged.

All thoughts welcomed.

Thanks,

Paul

well if you will have a bag or brief case with you get a laptop and fritz the ultimate analysis tool.

If that is too costly get chessmaster for gameboy or some sort of palm devive

gotta love technology

Good point.  I do have Fritz 9 and CM 10, and a laptop.  Am learning about the analysis capability in Fritz right now.  I probably still want a nice wood travel set, just for the beauty and feel.  If the computer comes out far supperior though for analysis, then maybe not the wood set.  Thanks again for the nudge on Fritz.

Paul 

Here’s an update.

I bought the pegged wood set from House of Chess (a).  I can’t really recommend it.  The wood box and pieces are very nice.   The alignment of the holes is pretty bad though, obviously done by hand with no jig.  Also the peg diameter varies considerably from piece to piece.  A couple loose enough that they tip a bit if I hold the board at an angle, and some too tight.  (Would you believe it, the white king is actually the loosest.  A tippy king just sends bad vibes.)  Sand paper fixes the tight ones.  Lastly the squares get a little wider on the bottom row as you go across the row, so the board doesn’t look perfectly square. 

Also, when you close the lid and tip the box over, the pieces do not stay in place.  The advert for that set actually doesn’t claim that they do.  The ad for the other set (b) does.  Some quilting material from my wife, set into the cover, fixed that.  The right thickness foam sheet would work too.

It’s a shame, as again the wood working is very nice.  But the tolerances and alignment are poor, and there’s the design flaw of the pieces not staying in place with the cover closed.

I’ll keep it, since it’s not worth the shipping and restocking fee to return it, and it’s still pretty nice, despite the flaws.   I may buy the more expensive one eventually.  I may also try a magnetic set too, who knows.  Oh, and wallet too :).  (My wife loves it when I throw money at hardware.)

Lastly, I’ve found fritz to be superior as an analysis board where I want to do analysis of my own lines, or to follow longer lines from chess books where the PGN files are available on the internet.  But to follow just 3-5 moves at a time, between diagrams in a chess book, or even a longer list of moves online where I don’t want to flip between screens,  I still like a 3D set.

Here's another option: http://www.stickychess.com/

Doubles as a frisbee in a pinch, great for the bus or the beach.