This item is nothing like it's pictured. Letters and numbers scrawled, messy, childlike, and nearly illegible, all around the perimeter. No shine or varnish to the pieces, so they look very plain and unfinished. Barely, barely enough room for the pieces, making it difficult to put away, very small board, rickety hinge and clasp to close, and the pointy clasp cannot fold flat when the board is laid out, so it juts out while you're playing? Bought as a Christmas gift, but so glad I opened and inspected it first. I would be so embarrassed to give this to anyone. This is incredibly disappointing, especially given the price. Would not recommend under any circumstance.

I loved it and so did my fiancé! Chess is literally a part of his life so for him to love it means it was definitely worth the purchase. I didn't read much into the description before purchasing it, I read more into the reviews to help me make my decision. I'm not sure if it describes how it's made because it looks hand crafted just by the look of the little flaws as if it were hand made... So to whomever created the set you did very well and it is well worth the purchase. Mind you I am a very picky customer when I shop online. I become suspicious when I come across product whose price is too good to be true. The chess board and it's pieces really outdid themselves. It's unique and simple.

My son's 8 and the pieces are a perfect size for him. I would not have bought it at first glance because the pieces aren't weighted. I changed my mind once I got to hold the pieces at a chess club meet. They won't last in an earthquake, but the pieces are stable and feel good in the hand.

We had trouble with a weighted plastic set breaking on the floor. Toddlers and tile didn't mix with that set. These pieces have already weathered several falls. The board is small and makes for a tight fit at times, which would be frustrating for an adult for regular play. The larger board would be good in that case. This one gives him no trouble.

There was mention in the reviews about the clarity of the notation, and that is true. They are written with a wood-burner without a stencil. The results are inconsistent. One "F" on my board looks like a sideways U. It's not something that hinders play or study with us though. Notation is easily memorized and we use our chess table.

This is a good set for casual play.

Very upset with this purchase. The crafting looks a lot different than the pictures and when it got here the white queen was broken and both the black knights were missing. Had to improvise and make knights for the time being although it was a surprise girt for my girlfriend and she was upset as well.

Good chess set. The pieces are unique and the board has a storage area on the bottom for all the pieces, however the craftmanship of the board is not great. With the board "open" and ready to play the center seam is uneven to the point of having to pick the pieces up to move them rather than "sliding" the pieces across the surface.
For the price it's a really nice set, a little more attention to the fit and finish of the actual board surface and this gets 5 stars.