9.8" Chess Set - Black & White

I like to collect beautiful and unique chess sets, but I wanted to have one for actual play.After looking at, and reading only "+4⭐/+100 customer" reviews of dozens of sets offered by Amazon, and still ending up discouraged, I re-evaluated my search parameters, took a long-shot, and right-clicked on this one. What motivated me was the fact that even though there were only 11 reviews (my hard and fast rule: low review numbers of any item under consideration for purchase is an absolute non-starter), they were all 5⭐ ratings -- the max on everything else I had looked at; even those with hundreds of reviews, topped out at 4 1/2⭐. The price point for this set was icing on the cake. After all, what the hey. If I didn't like it, I could foist it off on my Grandkids LOL!!!. . . speedy delivery, well-packaged by Amazon.I was a little taken aback, and slightly apprehensive when I saw the outer box of the chess set (which was in excellent condition), because every bit of language was in Chinese characters. The folded chessboard, in a large cellophane bag, had a good, solid feel. Even thru the plastic wrap it looked classy, elegant. Once out of the bag, a little tricky to unfold. The pieces were in (disposable) cellophane bags, a mild disappointment. The board lays nice and flat; coordinates along all sides. The pieces, though plastic, are beautiful (IMHO) -- you'd be hard-pressed to find their mold seams. Well-crafted, heavy for their size (King stands 2" tall; pawns, 1"), really nice Staunton details; corked undersides cover magnets with good pull . . . the pieces give that satisfying "plunk" when you land them. Folded set is a tad large for backpacks/carry-on's, but would be great for park, beach, camping, etc. Board and piece spacing adequate for comfortable play by adults.Happy me!!😊

I'm pleasantly surprised by how nicely this is made, considering it's under $10. The pieces have a beautiful aesthetic to them, and they seem really well made, having no seams or other imperfections that make them look cheap. The board is also nicely done, opening flat but able to store the pieces when folded. If I could nitpick and change two things, I'd add a few extra queens (both white and black have only one queen), and I'd make the pieces a little heavier. Don't get me wrong -- the magnets hold well, but it would be nice to have a little heft to the pieces as well. But overall, I'm really pleased! It's a great little set for satisfying that chess urge on the go.

This is so convenient to have at home. It is super small and very convenient to carry around. My brother and I we play this like a lot.

It's great but the magnets aren't too strong perfect for beginners with hand pain or issues

I don't write many reviews, but this chess set got me excited! This was beautifully made - someone in manufacturing and quality control deserves a raise! The magnet was well hidden in the base of each piece, and meticulous attention was bestowed on the design of the pieces. I do not travel much, so I can't say much about its portability, but the magnet appears robust, and none of the pieces moves when I move the board from my desk to the dinner table, for instance. It'd make a great, modestly priced, classy gift.

I am glad I ordered this. It is a good looking chess board with great quality for the price. The chess pieces are of great quality and good magnetic ability.

I like it so much , small , black and white, easy to use because of the magnet it has, detail pieces

The pieces are well formed with no plastic burls or off center felt. Magnets hold all the way to complete inversion of the board. Rank and file markings for black are right side up, not upside down as I have seen on a different inexpensive board. For my purpose, which is to have a small chess set always out and also easily moved out of the way or rotated between white and black perspective, this set is perfect.