Pete's Expert Summary
So, the human has procured a 'Hurdaos' contraption, which appears to be a folding wooden square intended for their slow, ponderous games. Inside are thirty-four small, carved wooden figures with felted bottoms, which I'll admit is a touch of class. The magnets are an interesting, if frustrating, feature, preventing my casual redecorating of the game board with a single well-placed paw swipe. While the smooth walnut and maple surface is acceptable for a brief sit, and the small, tappable 'pawns' have potential, its primary function seems to be occupying the humans' hands and minds—time that could be better spent on chin scratches or opening a can of tuna. A high-quality distraction, but a distraction nonetheless.
Key Features
- ♕EXCELLENT QUALITY♛: The Staunton style wooden chess set is made up of walnut and maple with well polished and smooth. The 34 pieces are also carved beautifully and clearly, felt bottoms to prevent chess board scratching. The wood grain and color of the board and pieces that make it a classic and nicely finished feel. So good idea for room decoration also if you want to play there.
- ♕FOLDING CHESS BOARD♛: The magnetic chess board is large enough but quite compact when folded up. The extended size is 15 x 15 x 1 inches, the brass hinges allow the board to be flexibly extended without warping. Folded is 15 x 7½ x 2 inches, the closure snaps are aligned perfectly. The size of the squares is approx 1.61 inches. Portable chess set at 3.6 pounds of weight, both you and your children can easily carry it around to play.
- ♕MAGNETIC CHESSMEN♛: These handcrafted pieces are constructed of nice quality wood, not lightweight. Built in strong magnetism, pieces stay in place during play, even if the board is jostled or tilted, making this set ideal for travel or outdoor use. Comes with 2 extra queens for pawn promotion rule.
- ♕EASY TO SET UP AND STORE♛: Annoyed to lose pieces? Our chess board itself is a storage box, its interior foam inserts to securely hold each piece, preventing rattling and loss while carrying.
- ♕Nice Gifting Idea♛: Safe and smooth edge chess sets for kids and adults. Perfect Birthday and Christmas present for tournaments, learner or display in living rooms or sitting rooms. Unique and portable wooden chessboard game, it really helps to keep your mind and thoughts in shape! Ideal for all ages.
A Tale from Pete the Cat
The scent of polished walnut wood, a noble aroma, first alerted me that something new had entered my domain. My human unfolded a handsome wooden box, revealing a checkered battlefield of light and dark squares. From its belly, he produced two armies of little wooden soldiers, lining them up with a series of soft, satisfying *thunks*. I observed from my perch on the armchair, my tail giving a slow, judgmental twitch. This was a "game," an activity designed to make a human stare intently at something other than my magnificent self. An insult, clearly. My initial plan was simple: a casual stroll across the board, the collateral scattering of pieces a happy accident. I’ve ended many a puzzle this way. I executed a graceful leap onto the table, but as my paw made contact with a small, crowned figure—the "King," I believe they call it—it refused to topple. It merely scooted an inch and then held fast. I tried again, with more force. The piece slid, but remained defiantly upright. Magnets! A low growl rumbled in my chest. This was cheating. This Hurdaos brand had insulated their foolish game from the natural forces of feline intervention. Frustrated but not defeated, I changed my approach. If I could not conquer the pieces, I would conquer the territory. I watched the human, his brow furrowed in concentration. He was contemplating a move with one of the horse-headed pieces. This was my moment. With a deliberate, almost liquid movement, I flowed from the table onto the board itself, curling up directly over the central four squares. The polished wood was smooth and cool against my fur. A few of the magnetic pieces were pressed harmlessly into my soft tuxedoed front, their felted bottoms providing a gentle, tickling sensation. The human sighed, a sound of utter defeat. The game was over. Not because a piece was lost, but because the board itself was now occupied by a superior being. He reached out and began to stroke my back, right between my shoulder blades. Victory. I closed my eyes and began to purr, a low, rumbling engine of triumph. This wooden board was not a game at all. It was, I now understood, a high-quality, magnetic platform designed for the express purpose of luring a human's hands back to their primary function: adoring me. A worthy acquisition, indeed.
