One of the best things about chess is that it doesn’t ask too much of you. All you need is something to sit on, a flat surface for the chessboard, and another willing player.
However, carrying a chessboard while on the move can be challenging, especially when your hands are already occupied.
Are you looking for a more portable chess experience? This article’s got you covered. We’ve listed the top 5 best mini chess sets out there, so you can find out the one that works for you.
How to Choose the Best Chess Set
Before we delve into our top 5 list, it’s important to consider the following factors when choosing the right chess set for you.
1. Portability
The main reason why you’re choosing this type of chess set is that you want it to be easily carried and stored without taking up so much time. Choose a set you think you’ll find easy to carry and keep where you want.
2. Quality
Having a mini chess set provides a lot of convenience, but the best part is knowing that it’s built to go the distance. Whether it’s made of wood, plastic, or metal, make sure to carefully check its quality before making a purchase.
3. Functionality
There are many varieties of mini chess sets to choose from, such as folded or rolled ones, depending on how you want to store or set up the game. Choose a set that will serve your purpose as well.
4. Style
Indeed, the essence of this game doesn’t rely on the appearance of its pieces, but you can’t help but feel a sense of prestige when the set looks appealing and aesthetic. To fully enjoy the game experience, style shouldn’t be taken for granted.
5. Affordability
Let’s not forget that the true delight of playing chess is still the game itself. Choose a set that fits your budget without sacrificing the above factors.
Top 5 Best Mini Chess Sets You Can Buy
These varieties of mini chess sets have been carefully selected and reviewed to meet all the standards you’ll be looking for in a chess set. The following chess sets have the perfect blend and balance of portability, quality, functionality, style, and affordability.
1. Sondergut Roll-Up Travel Chess Set
The Sondergut Roll-Up Travel Chess Set is a high-quality, portable leather chess set ideal for use at home and on the go. It’s compact when rolled up, making it simple to take wherever you go.
This set can be used in an RV, boat, hotel lobby/lounge, on the beach, or in a campground. The game is designed to be portable while still maintaining good quality, so it will last for many journeys to come.
The hand-sewn full-size board has a beautiful appearance and a delicate, supple feel, thanks to the velvety grey suede used in its construction.
After use, the pieces can be kept in the brass zippered pouch. The set includes 16 game pieces per color.
Set Details:
- Board size: (rolled up): 10 x 2″
- Board Size: (full size): 10 x 12-2/3″
- Weight: less than 0.5 lbs
- Designed by: Sondergut
2. The King’s Small Chess Set
One of the finest chess makers in the world, House of Staunton, has its entry on this list with the King’s Small Chess Set made from the finest natural and colored sycamore wood painstakingly handcrafted by artisans.
Additionally, its distinctive design combines creativity and the traditional Staunton pattern, making it functional and recognizable.
The King and Queen chess pieces, in particular, have crowns fashioned of the opposing wood type. This creates a lovely contrast in hues that honors its European background.
The chessboard can be folded in half for easy storage, and there are two compartments inside the board to safeguard and keep each piece.
Set Details:
- Materials: Sycamore, Beech, Birch, Hornbeam
- King Height: 6.35 cm
- King Base Diameter: 2.22 cm
- Board Size: 11.25 in.
- Board Height: 0.75 in.
- Weight: 4.5 oz.
3. 8″ Play-Keeper Magnetic Chess Set
Convenience was made a priority in the design of the 8” Play-Keeper Magnetic Chess Set. Because of its small size and powerful magnets, the chess pieces stay in place throughout play even if the board is tilted or jostled.
In addition, the set’s exquisitely made Rosewood-colored chessmen add aesthetic appeal to the game. The wood-core printed board creates an amazing surface that is both robust and reasonably priced.
With a design similar to the Drueke Travel Set, in-progress games can be saved and continued at a later time.
Set Details:
- Storage Case: 22.8 x 22.2 x 6.3 cm
- Weight: 2 lb 7 oz
- Board size: 20 x 20 x 1 cm
- Square Size: 2 cm
- King height: 3.2 cm
- King base: 1.2 cm
- Pawn height: 1.9 cm
4. Travel Series Folding Magnetic Lacquer Chess Set
This mini chess set, created by Chessbazaar, is made of the finest Sheesham wood and includes fitting slots for each chessman to ensure its quality.
This set is ideal for on-the-go gaming due to its stylish design and lightweight construction. The package includes 32 felted chess pieces with magnetic studs for stable positioning.
The board folds into a small box with fixed slots for neat storage when not in use. This set is a good blend of style and practicality for your travels and it’s like entering a world of strategic genius.
Set Details:
- King Height: 26 mm
- King Base Diameter: 10 mm
- Board: 7 x 3 ½ x 1 ½ in
- Weight: 400 g
5. Amerous Magnetic Wooden Chess Set
Probably the largest compact chess set on this list, the Amerous Magnetic Wooden Chess Set offers entertaining gameplay for newcomers and fans of electronic devices.
The hand-carved wooden chess pieces are magnetized to the board to keep them in place during play, even when the game is played on the go.
You can play a game without worrying about losing pieces, whether traveling in a car, airline, or any other mobile vehicle.
This set is foldable, lightweight, and designed to be portable, fitting neatly in your backpack or luggage.
Set Details:
- Board Diameter: 12 x 12 in.
- Manufacturer: Amerous
Final Thoughts
Playing chess while on the move poses a challenge for chess players and enthusiasts. It’s indeed a blessing that chess makers create smaller counterparts of their masterpieces to cater to the needs and demands of chess lovers who are always on the go.
Whether you opt for the standard-size sets or these mini-chess sets to play with, all chess enthusiasts will agree that in the end, it’s the game that really matters.
