@gabrielito81 said in #9:
> I think the SmartPhone has replace it.
if Fischer had an iPhone, i don't think he would have a pocket chess set...
If you cannot play blindfold chess then normally you are not a good chess player anyway.
However, if you enjoy chess more with a pocket chess set, why not travel with one?
And of course you may run into people like me who are just enjoying chess but are not good chess players so no chance to play "pseudo-blindfold" by just verbally exchanging moves without having a board at hand.
I primarily use my pocket chess sets to analyze something, often my correspondence games on Lichess. For me it is more pleasant to move pieces on a real board, there is less disturbance than on a smartphone (WhatsApp and so on) and no risk of digital addiction. And I can use my pocket chess sets even on the board of an aircraft or when I am not connected to the internet.
Here is a picture of my pocket chess sets:
https://imgur.com/a/dLlJCfJ
(I actually have a bit more of them.)
In the old days a pocket set was used together with a large size chess board to analyze, e.g. for adjourned games.
Analysis was done on the large board, while the pocket set was kept to return to a previous position without making any mistakes in the piece and pawn placement.
@lizani said in #7:
> Sure, a pocket set is essential, just like a pocket watch, compass, local map and torch.
Don't forget a pocket knife -- handy in the wilderness!
@fin34601473braunpaul said in #12:
> If you cannot play blindfold chess then normally you are not a good chess player anyway.
I can play blindfold and yet am not a good chess player lol
When I travel I often carry 2 sets and a thin chess book: 1 is a light, plastic 2.5 inch king analysis set (for study in down time in hotel rooms) and
a pocket set -- like a checkbook. For that I (recently) xeroxed a 2 pages of positions in Aagaard's GM Prep:Endgames. Analysis of a small number of those positions consumed 1 week on my last trip.
But I like moving the pieces while thinking. Others like clicking on a screen.
Bill
ps-- and my 4 year old granddaughter was absolutely fascinated by the pocket set.
I basically have one pocket chess set and I'm actually wat more addicted to that even my parents shout at me for that because I'm constantly indulge in The game so bad.
I think a pocket chess set is a romantic idea , that I'd love to have , maybe I might even ask for as a Christmas present, but totally unnecessary in this day and age xxx
@IamNOTamod said in #15:
> > Sure, a pocket set is essential, just like a pocket watch, compass, local map and torch.
>
> Don't forget a pocket knife -- handy in the wilderness!
If I have my pants on, I have my pocket knife.
Now if I can just remember to bring the buggy whip.