Folds into a box with storage slots for the pieces
Games included
Chess and checkers
Shipping & returns
Tracked delivery anywhere in Ireland. It is free on orders of €75 or more, and a flat €25 below that. Allow 5 to 7 days after a 24 to 48 hour handling time.
Under the European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013 you have 14 days from delivery to cancel for any reason, and a further 14 days to send it back. We refund the price you paid, including the basic outbound delivery charge. You cover the direct cost of returning it unless the item is faulty.
If it arrives faulty, damaged or not as described, we put it right at no cost to you under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, return postage included.
Wipe the board and the pieces with a soft, dry cloth. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures, and store it somewhere cool and dry when you are not using it.
Chess pieces have strong magnets built into them
Large 38x38 cm board, comfortable to play on
Folds shut into a box with a slot for every piece
Chess and checkers in the one set
Velvet flocked piece bases keep play quiet and the board unscratched
About this product
Magnets hold every piece
A 38x38 cm folding wooden chess and checkers set whose chess pieces have magnets built in, so they stay where you put them.
This is a large folding chess board in walnut wood, 38x38 cm, with wooden pieces. Every chess piece has a strong magnet built in, so a knock to the table or a gust of wind will not scatter your game.
The board folds shut into its own box. Each piece sits in a slot inside, so nothing rattles loose and nothing goes missing between games.
The set plays two games. You get chess and checkers in the one box, which makes it an easy choice as a present whether the person opening it has played for years or is only starting out.
The board and the pieces are carved from top grade natural solid wood. That gives you a set that lasts and stands up to damp better than a light board would. The chess pieces sit on velvet flocked bases, which keeps play quiet and keeps the board free of scratches. They are sized to be comfortable to pick up and move.
One thing to know before you buy: the chess pieces are magnetic, the checker pieces are not. Checkers plays the traditional way, with pieces that simply rest on the board. It is a good looking set on a shelf too, so plenty of people leave it out on display between games.
Still deciding?
Not sure yet? That is fine.
You can change your mind. Under the European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013 you have 14 days from delivery to cancel for any reason, plus a further 14 days to send it back. We refund the price you paid, including the basic outbound delivery charge.
If it turns up faulty, damaged or not as described, that is on us. The Consumer Rights Act 2022 covers you, we pay the return postage, and you can have a repair, a replacement or your money back. Read the full detail on our refunds and returns page, or ask us anything before you order.
It measures 38x38 cm. That is a large board, so the pieces are easy to reach and move without crowding.
What is the set made of?
The board and the pieces are carved from top grade natural solid wood, in walnut.
Are the chess pieces really magnetic?
Yes. Each chess piece has a strong magnet built into it, so the pieces hold onto the board rather than sitting loose on it.
Are the checker pieces magnetic too?
No. The checkers are not magnetic. Checkers plays the traditional way, with pieces resting on the board.
Can I play checkers with this set?
Yes. It is a two in one set, so you get chess and checkers in the same box.
Will the pieces stay put if the board gets moved?
Yes. The magnetic chess pieces are designed to stay in place even when the board moves, so a bump will not reset your game.
Is it any good for playing outdoors?
That is what the magnets are for. You can play on windy days or outdoors without pieces blowing over and going missing.
Is it suitable for travelling?
Yes. The magnets hold the pieces on the board and the board folds shut for carrying, so it works well for players on the go.
Does the board fold?
It does. The foldable design turns the board into a compact chess box.
Where do the pieces go when the board is closed?
Inside. There are designated storage slots for the chess pieces, which keeps them from knocking about and getting damaged.
Will the pieces scratch the board?
They should not. The chess pieces sit on velvet flocked bases, which protect the board surface.
Is it noisy to play on?
The velvet flocked bases on the pieces are there to cut down the noise as you move them.
Are the pieces a comfortable size to hold?
Yes. They are sized for comfortable gameplay on a board this size.
Can I use this set in a tournament?
It is best kept for casual games and practice. Serious competitive play and tournaments usually call for a traditional non magnetic board.
Is this a good set for a beginner?
Yes. It suits players who have been at it for years and people who are only starting. Beginners often find a magnetic set easier, because a piece can be set down lightly without knocking its neighbours out of position.
Would it make a good present?
It is a popular choice for Christmas, birthdays and New Year, for adults and for children.
Is chess actually good for you?
Playing sharpens mental agility, quick thinking and concentration. For children it also helps with analytical skill, memory and planning ahead, and it teaches patience and sportsmanship.
Does it need any assembly?
No building is involved. Open the folded board out flat, take the pieces from their slots and set them up.
How do I clean and look after it?
Wipe the board and the pieces with a soft, dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures, and store it in a cool, dry place.
Will damp damage it?
The wood is chosen for lasting durability and resistance to moisture. Even so, store the set somewhere cool and dry.
How much is delivery?
Delivery across Ireland is free on orders over €75. Below €75 it costs €25. This set is €59, so a single set on its own comes in under the free delivery threshold.
How long does delivery take?
We handle your order in 24 to 48 hours, then delivery takes 5 to 7 days.
Can I pay for faster delivery?
Yes. Express Delivery is an optional upgrade at €25. It is charged even when your order is over the €75 free delivery threshold.
Do you deliver to my part of the country?
We deliver right across Ireland, to every county, direct to your door.
How can I pay?
You can pay by card or with PayPal at checkout.
Will I get a receipt, and can I check where my order is?
You get an order confirmation by email when you buy. If you want an update on your delivery, email the support team and you will normally have an answer within one business day.
What if I change my mind?
Irish distance selling rules apply. You have 14 days from delivery to tell us you have changed your mind, and a further 14 days to send the item back.
What if it arrives damaged?
Email the support team and tell us what has happened. We normally answer within one business day.
Are your products new?
Yes. Everything we sell is brand new. It is end of line and excess stock bought from large wholesalers, which is how the prices stay low.
Do you have a shop I can visit, and who do I ask if I have a question first?
We have no shop premises. We sell online only, which keeps our prices down. If you have a question before you buy, email the support team and you will usually hear back within one business day. Your rights under Irish consumer law apply to anything you order from us.
The complete guide
How to choose a magnetic chess set
6 min readGamesCo Ireland
Chess sets are not hard to buy. The tricky part is picking one you will actually use, rather than one that sits in a cupboard because setting it up is a nuisance.
Start with the magnets
The point of a magnetic set is that the pieces stay where you put them. Every chess piece here has a strong magnet built in, so the game survives a knocked table, a car journey or a breezy afternoon in the garden. Worth knowing before you decide: the checker pieces in this set are not magnetic, so checkers plays the traditional way.
Then look at the size and the wood
A lot of magnetic sets are tiny, because they were built for a plane tray table. This board is 38x38 cm, which is a proper sized board. The pieces are sized to be comfortable to pick up and move, and the board is big enough that a crowded endgame still reads clearly.
The board and the pieces are carved from top grade natural solid wood, in walnut. Solid wood lasts, and it copes with damp far better than a lightweight board. The chess pieces sit on velvet flocked bases, so moving them is quiet and the board surface does not get scratched over the years. It also looks well left out on a shelf, which is half the reason people keep playing.
Ask how it packs away
This is the part people forget. A set with no home ends up with pieces in three different drawers. This board folds shut into a compact box, and every chess piece has its own slot inside. Nothing rattles, nothing goes missing, and the whole thing goes back on the shelf in a few seconds.
Match it to the player
For casual games at home, for teaching someone the moves, or for games you pause and come back to over a few evenings, a magnetic set is a good fit. For serious competitive play and tournaments, a traditional non magnetic board is usually the expected choice. As a present it covers a wide range, from children learning their first openings to adults who have played for decades, and it doubles as a checkers set for the ones who have not caught the chess bug yet.
If there is anything you want to check before you order, from the board size to how the pieces pack away, email our support team. We normally come back to you within one business day.
The Magnetic Chess Set from GamesCo Ireland (mygames.irish) is a large folding wooden chess and checkers set. The board measures 38x38 cm and is carved from top grade natural solid wood in walnut, and the wooden chess pieces have strong magnets built in so they hold their place on the board. The checker pieces are not magnetic. Piece bases are velvet flocked, which keeps play quiet and protects the board. The board folds into a box with a storage slot for each piece. It sells for €59, reduced from €79. Delivery is free across Ireland on orders over €75 and costs €25 below that, with 24 to 48 hours handling and 5 to 7 days delivery to every county.
