Travel Chess Sets: Portable, Full Size and Roll-Up

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A rolled silicone chess board, two drawstring bags and weighted Staunton pieces unpacked on a black background

Most travel chess sets get portable by getting small: magnetic pegs, a folding board the size of a paperback and a king you can barely hold. This goes the other way. It keeps full tournament size, a 20 by 20 inch board with 2.25 inch squares and weighted Staunton pieces, and makes that portable instead. The board rolls up without holding a crease and the pieces travel in two bags.

Which one is right for me?

Weekend trips and holidays Best Chess Set Ever 3X TournamentThe lighter of the two, with the same full size board See this one

A set that moves between two homes Best Chess Set Ever 4X Tournament ModernThe heaviest pieces we make, and the board still rolls into the same box See this one

Club nights and chess in the park Best Chess Set Ever 3X TournamentClub standard weight, sets up on any flat table See this one

Shop both travel chess sets

-8%

Best Chess Set Ever 3X Tournament

$54.99 USD

~~$59.99 USD~~

-7%

Best Chess Set Ever 4X Tournament Modern

$64.99 USD

~~$69.99 USD~~

Full size, and still portable

The compromise with a pocket set is that you end up playing a different game on it: pieces too small to handle, squares too small to read at a glance. A roll-up set keeps the board you would play on at a club and only changes how it gets carried.

Why silicone is the board to travel with

Vinyl boards remember how they were packed. Roll one up for a weekend and the corners lift for days afterwards. Silicone lies flat as soon as it is unrolled, grips the table under it and wipes clean after a cafe table or a picnic.

Weighted pieces for whatever table you find

Tables away from home are rarely good tables: a park bench, a hotel desk, a garden table with a slope. Iron inserts under felt bases keep the pieces standing where a light plastic set would slide or tip.

How it packs

The board rolls or folds and goes back in the box. The pieces split into two drawstring bags, one per colour, so setting up starts with the pieces already sorted. The 32 page strategy guide goes in with them.

Which set to carry

The 3X carries about 2.4 lb of pieces and is the one to take on a trip. The 4X is heavier, about 4 lb of pieces, and makes more sense for a set that moves between two homes or goes to the club by car.

Frequently asked

Will it fit in a pocket or on a plane tray?

No. This is a full size set and the board is 20 inches square when it is unrolled. It fits a backpack or a suitcase, and it wants a real table at the other end. For a plane tray, a magnetic pocket set is the better tool.

Does the board crease when it is rolled?

No. Silicone does not hold a fold, so it lies flat as soon as you unroll it. Our blog has a short guide to cleaning, rolling and storing it.

Which set is lighter to carry?

The 3X, with about 2.4 lb of pieces against about 4 lb for the 4X. The board and everything else in the box are the same.

Can I play outdoors with it?

Yes, on any flat table. The silicone board wipes clean if it picks up dirt or a spill. Bring the set back inside afterwards rather than leaving it out.

Is a travel set still tournament size?

This one is. The squares are 2.25 inches on a 20 inch board and the pieces are Staunton, the same measurements set out on our tournament chess sets page.

What if something breaks while I am away?

The 12 month guarantee covers anything wrong with the set, the whole set or a single piece, and we pay the return shipping.