Travel  (Germany)

Germany. The first travel set is the weirdest thing in my collection. Quite unique I think, because I have never seen another. This is "M. KÜRSCHNER'S IMPROVED POCKET-CHESS-SET WITH BONE PIECES". Although improved, it is hard, if possible at all, to play with. The copper bases do fit in the grooves holding the pieces in place, but because the pieces are so small, you hit them easily and ruin your position as you try to make a move. Unless you use a pincet or so. If you try to find information on M.Kürschner then you find a chess player/problem composer under that name in the late 19th century. Chessbase lists 38 games of Max Kuerschner from 1887 to 1910. I don't know if these are the same person and if he is the creator of the set.

Germany. Travel sets with pegged bone pieces, which can be stored in the board that acts as a little box, are rather common and widely spread. I have seen them in Czechia, Germany, England and Netherlands, to name a few countries. The 1st set listed was bought in Prague, the 2nd on E-Bay in England, the 3rd a gift from my sister and the 4th bought from a collector in the Netherlands. Reason the 2nd was put on the England page on my site at first. However, I was told it is probably German, and have all sets listed on my German page now. You can play with these sets, but it is not easy to handle the small pieces.

The 3rd set is of better quality as average.

Note that the 4th set actually are 2 sets of which one has a board with missing side and some pieces broken or missing (2 pawns). It is extreme hard to see difference in pieces between the sets, except for the white colour. It might be that one set is resin and that some mixture of red pieces has taken place.

Germany. This small set with glass lid was bought on a CCI meeting and seller thought it was English, because Kings are in a Calvert style. Another collector, however, suggested it is German. Without prove I tend to believe the latter, so moved it from my England page to the German page. You can play with this set, but it is very hard to handle the small pieces and you have to press firmly to get them in the holes as well.

Germany. This small set in plastic box has tiny nails as pieces that differ only slightly by small indentations, concave and convex curves or dents and flat, curved or cylindrical spikes. It is meant to be used as a travel set, however it is hard to carry it with you because the pieces fit only loosely into the holes provided for them in the board and will fall out. Quite apart from the fact that these little nails are very difficult to handle.

Germany. This wooden travel set was a present for my 50st birthday. Pieces are according to Staunton and have pins. The special feature of this set is the two linked sliding drawers. When you move one drawer then the other drawer extends in the opposite direction. The drawers can be extended to both sides. The bottom of the box says "Made in GDR", so it has been made in former East Germany before the wall dropped.

Germany. I don't know why I keep things like the Nivea pocket chess set. These things are only meant for advertising and have no value or use for the practical chess player or collector.
It even has cracks in the box!

Germany. The last travel set listed here was a gift and therefore got a place in the collection. It is useable as travel set, but I do not find it so convenient.