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Chessville
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NoteBook Games Chessboards Reviewed by David Surratt
Looking for an alternative to bulky travel sets? Tired of tipping over the clumsy magnetic pieces of small chess sets? Searching for a novel gift for a chess playing friend, or a unique attention getter for your business? NoteBook Games may have just what you are looking for. Notebook Games chessboards are the brainchild of Jeffrey Wagner, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Wagner personalizes the background with whatever graphic you send him (so long as the format is compatible with Microsoft Office 97 PowerPoint) making it easy to customize for your club, school, or organization. At the left is an example of a page he made up for Chessville. My picture doesn't quite do justice to the pieces, but it should give you a pretty good idea of what the board looks like. Wagner prints these on glossy 8½x11 paper to provide a more reflective surface, then the board is hot-laminated in plastic. The result is a fairly solid feeling, yet flexible, chessboard. They can easily be hole-punched, for using in a binder, or left whole and carried in an interior sleeve, or slipped into a large envelope. The pieces are made out of static cling vinyl, and can be easily scooped up with the edge of your fingernail, or by using your finger to roll up a corner. Wagner says these can be removed and replaced hundreds of times before wearing out. It is not clear if replacement pieces are available, but I would think so. Captured pieces can be stored very easily along the sides of the board. Note: the pieces could be potential choking hazards, and should be kept away from small children.
The plastic laminate also provides a convenient surface to scribble notes on using dry erasable markers, easily cleanable with damp tissue. Wagner uses them to track game positions when playing in the IECG - International E-mail Chess Group. Their light weight, ease of portability, and their ability to safely retain positions even when dropped or overturned make them perfect for taking with you where you won't have access to a computer or a regular board is impractical, e.g. picnics, travel, restaurants, etc. Students might find them useful for playing or studying between classes.
Wagner sells these boards for $7, or two for $10, three for $15, four for $20, etc. Shipping is $3 per group of five boards. Contact Jeffrey L. Wagner for more information or to place an order.
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