Best Travel Chess Set UK: What to Look For & Top Picks
A long train journey, a wet afternoon in a holiday cottage, the quiet hour before dinner at the campsite. These are the moments a travel chess set earns its place in the bag.
A good one keeps the pieces where you put them when the carriage jolts, and sets up in seconds without a lost pawn rolling under the seat. Any set made for children should also meet UKCA and CE safety testing, so you can hand it over without a second thought.
Chess itself has travelled further than any of us. It was documented in India around the 6th century AD, reaching Persia and then Europe via the Arab world by roughly the 9th and 10th centuries. The board you pack today carries a very old habit.
What to Look For in a Travel Chess Set
The first thing to check is how the pieces stay put. A travel set either uses pegs that slot into holes, or magnets that grip a steel board. Both work; pegged sets tend to feel more like a full game, while magnetic sets are quicker to reset after a bump.
Size matters next. A board small enough to pocket often means pieces too fiddly for small hands, so weigh portability against playability. For a family, a folding board that doubles as a storage box usually strikes the right balance.
Look at the pieces themselves. The Staunton pattern, standardised by Jaques of London with Howard Staunton and first marketed in 1849, is the shape every serious player recognises. FIDE, founded in 1924, still mandates it for official competition. A travel set that follows that pattern means your child practises on the same shapes they will meet in a club or tournament.
Material is worth a thought too. Wooden sets feel warmer in the hand and tend to survive years of use; our wooden toys are built to be handled rather than admired on a shelf.
Finally, check the safety marks. For anything aimed at children, UKCA and CE testing should be a given, not a bonus. If you want a wider sense of what good construction looks like, our guide to the best chess sets for beginners covers the ground in more detail. You can also browse our chess sets to compare sizes.
Types of Travel Chess Set Available in the UK
UK families will mostly come across three kinds of travel chess set. The first is the folding wooden board, hinged in the middle, which opens flat and closes around the pieces. It is the closest a portable set gets to the feel of playing at home.
The second is the peg set, where each square has a hole and each piece a small spike. These are excellent in the car or on a train, because a knock will not scatter the game. They are the natural companion to a pegged travel backgammon board, and our round-up of the best travel backgammon sets shows how the same idea works across games.
The third is the magnetic set, with a steel or metal-backed board and magnetised pieces. These reset fastest and suit quick games, though the pieces are often smaller.
Beyond chess, a travel-sized box of our traditional games often rides along in the same bag. Draughts, solitaire and the like need no instructions and fill the gaps between longer matches.
If you are packing for a Christmas drive, the question is really which games survive the back seat. Our piece on the best travel games for Christmas car journeys is a sensible place to start, and the full range of our board games will fill out the rest of the kit.
Our Top Travel Chess Set Picks for UK Families
For most families, a single set does nearly everything. Our Wooden Chess Set - Travel Chess Set at £37.99 folds into its own board, holds the pieces securely and plays a proper game rather than a cramped miniature. It is the all-rounder we reach for when one set has to cover the car, the holiday and the kitchen table.
When you want a quieter game that still packs small, our Peg Solitaire Game at £10.99 is hard to beat. One player, no instructions to argue over, and it keeps a restless child occupied while a chess match plays out beside them. At that price it is an easy thing to tuck into a bag as a second option.
At the other end sits something to grow into rather than pack. Our 1890 Edition 3.5" Chess Pieces in Beech Box at £1,849.00 is a collector's and gift piece, a direct descendant of the Staunton design that bore Howard Staunton's facsimile signature and was once produced exclusively by Jaques. It is not for the train, but it is the set a serious young player might one day keep for life.
If you are choosing a gift rather than a travel companion, our guide to the best Christmas gifts for chess lovers sets these options side by side. For the whole portable range, our chess sets collection is the place to browse.
Which Travel Chess Set Is Right for Your Child's Age?
Age changes what a travel set needs to do. For younger children, the game is as much about learning how the pieces move as about winning. A peg set helps here, because a toppled board does not undo twenty minutes of careful thought. Our guide to a first chess set for children walks through that stage in full.
From around seven or eight, children can handle a full folding set and benefit from playing on proper Staunton shapes. There is real value in practising on the same pattern they will meet at a club. Remember that White alone has 20 possible opening moves on the first turn, so a regulation-quality set gives a learner room to explore rather than a cut-down version.
For the youngest in the family, a travel set need not be chess at all. A simple game of solitaire or draughts keeps them part of the trip without frustration, and our Peg Solitaire Game suits small hands and short attention spans alike.
Older children and teenagers who are taking the game seriously will want something closer to tournament feel. The folding Wooden Chess Set - Travel Chess Set plays well enough to prepare for real matches while still fitting in a rucksack.
If siblings sit several years apart, it is often worth packing two kinds of game so nobody is left out. A quick look through our board games will usually turn up something for every age in the back seat.
How to Look After a Travel Chess Set So It Lasts
A travel set lives a harder life than one kept at home, so a little care goes a long way. After each trip, check that every piece is back in its slot before the board is closed; a single lost pawn is the most common way a good set is retired early.
Wipe wooden pieces with a dry or barely damp cloth and never leave them soaking. Wood dislikes extremes, so avoid leaving a set on a sunny dashboard or in a cold boot overnight, as swings in heat and damp can loosen joints and warp a board over time.
For pegged sets, treat the pegs gently. Forcing a piece into a hole at an angle is what breaks them, so let each one seat squarely. If a peg does loosen, a small dab of wood glue usually restores it.
Magnetic sets need their board kept clear of grit, which can scratch the surface where pieces slide. A soft pouch inside the bag keeps the board from rubbing against zips and keys.
Store the set closed and flat when it is not in use, ideally in its own box rather than loose in a drawer. Well-made wooden games are built to be handed down, and the same care that keeps our traditional games playable for decades applies just as well to a travel board.
Looked after this way, a decent set outlasts the childhood it was bought for. Many of the pieces across our chess sets are made with exactly that longevity in mind.
£1849.00 · gift · tested to UKCA/CE
£37.99 · all-rounder · tested to UKCA/CE
£10.99 · value · tested to UKCA/CE
Shop the range: Best Travel Chess Set UK: What to Look For & Top Picks
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Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Chess Set Uk
What is the best travel chess set for kids in the UK?
For UK families, a Jaques of London travel chess set is an excellent choice. Jaques has been producing chess sets since the 1840s, when they worked with Howard Staunton to standardise the Staunton piece design — now mandated by FIDE for all official competition. A quality travel set from Jaques features Staunton-pattern pieces, ensuring children learn with correctly shaped pieces from the outset. Look for a magnetic board, a sturdy folding case, and clearly distinguishable pieces. Starting with a reputable set means good habits formed early and pieces built to last.
What age is a travel chess set suitable for?
Most travel chess sets are suitable for children aged six and upwards, though some compact magnetic sets with smaller pieces suit older children and adults better. For younger children aged six to eight, choose a set with larger, easy-to-grip pieces and a clearly contrasting board. Chess itself can be introduced from around age five in a home setting. A well-made Jaques of London travel set is designed to grow with a child, remaining useful well into adulthood for practice, competition preparation, and casual play alike.
Are wooden travel chess sets worth the money?
Yes, for families serious about chess, a wooden travel chess set is worth the investment. Wooden pieces offer satisfying weight, clear tactile distinction between piece types, and significantly greater durability than plastic alternatives. Jaques of London has produced wooden chess sets since the 1840s, pioneering the Staunton design that FIDE still mandates for competitive play. A well-crafted wooden travel set resists the wear of repeated packing and unpacking, holds its value, and introduces children to pieces that match the standard they will encounter in clubs and tournaments.
What should I look for in a travel chess set?
Key features to consider include: a magnetic board or piece-securing mechanism to prevent disruption mid-game; a compact, folding design that doubles as storage; Staunton-pattern pieces, the standard required by FIDE for official competition; a sturdy carrying case or integral storage compartment; and clearly contrasting colours for the squares and pieces. Board size should be practical for a table, tray, or lap. A reputable maker such as Jaques of London guarantees piece proportions are correct — important if children intend to progress to club or competitive play.
How do I stop chess pieces getting lost when travelling?
Choose a travel chess set with a magnetic board, which holds pieces in place during play and reduces movement when the board is closed. Sets with an integrated storage compartment — typically inside the folding board itself — keep all pieces together when not in use. Always count pieces before packing. Some sets include a drawstring or zippered pouch for additional security. Jaques of London travel sets are designed with piece retention in mind, and investing in a quality set with a well-fitting closure significantly reduces the risk of arriving at your destination a pawn short.
What is the difference between a magnetic and a folding travel chess set?
A folding travel chess set has a board that hinges in half, often storing pieces inside, but pieces are not fixed during play and can shift if knocked. A magnetic travel chess set features a board with magnetised squares or magnetised pieces that grip the surface, keeping them stable during play — particularly useful on trains, planes, or in the back of a car. Many sets combine both features: a folding board with magnetic piece retention. For families travelling with children, a magnetic-and-folding combination offers the most practical and secure option.
Can a travel chess set be used to teach chess from scratch?
Absolutely. A good travel chess set is perfectly suited to learning chess from the beginning. The key requirement is that pieces follow the Staunton pattern — the design standardised by Jaques of London working with Howard Staunton in 1849, and still required by FIDE for official competition. Staunton pieces are visually distinct and internationally recognised, so learners immediately become familiar with the correct shapes. There are 20 possible opening moves available to White on the first turn alone, giving beginners plenty to explore even on a compact travel board.
What size chess set is best for travelling with children?
A board with squares measuring approximately 35–40 mm suits most travel situations, offering enough space for pieces to be placed and moved clearly without the board becoming unwieldy. King height of around 60–75 mm is comfortable for younger players. Avoid very small novelty sets with pieces under 40 mm tall, as these are fiddly and do not reflect the Staunton proportions used in competitive play. Jaques of London travel sets are sized to balance genuine playability with portability, making them suitable for families whether on a long journey or a short break.
Is a travel chess set a good gift for a child?
A travel chess set makes an excellent gift for a child aged six or older. Chess is documented to have originated in India around the 6th century AD and has been played across cultures ever since, offering children a game that develops strategic thinking, patience, and concentration. A quality Jaques of London travel set adds lasting value — the company has been synonymous with chess in Britain since the 1840s. Unlike many gifts, a well-made travel chess set remains useful through childhood, adolescence, and beyond, travelling to school, clubs, and holidays.
Where can I buy a good quality travel chess set in the UK?
Jaques of London is the foremost British source for quality chess sets, with a heritage stretching back to 1849 when they first marketed the Staunton chess piece design — still the FIDE-mandated standard for competitive play worldwide. Their travel sets are available directly through the Jaques of London website and selected specialist retailers across the UK. Buying directly from Jaques ensures authenticity, correct Staunton proportions, and access to the full range of sizes and materials, including magnetic and wooden options suited to families seeking a set that will last for years.