Getting the Right Chess Supplies for Your Team, Part 2

July 28, 2010
Tags: Product Reviews, New, Etc, Teaching Chess Articles

Part 2: Chess Bags & Chess Clocks

Written by guest author Erik Czerwin for Wholesale Chess.

Chess Bags

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This brings us to chess bags. I’ll be honest; I just roll up the chess boards and store the chess pieces in plastic freezer bags. They’re cheap, and the kids don’t really care. If you’re looking for something a little better, the Perfect-Fit Chess Bags are exactly as they’re named. They fit exactly one full set of chess pieces in a sturdy nylon bag. Because the chess pieces are snug in the chess bags, they aren’t banged up as much and therefore chip less.

The Starter Chess Bag w/Handle and Loop is another option that keeps board and pieces together. However, my guys didn’t like carrying these around because they felt like they were carrying purses. If you don’t tell them, they might not make the connection, but I’d hate to spend the money for an item they don’t want to use.

Finally, there are Carryall Tournament Chess Bags. These are the standard case for personal sets, but not entirely necessary for a team. They hold vinyl boards, pieces, clock, pens, and pencils. When buying these, be sure to look for sturdy zippers, and interior Velcro pockets eliminate the problem of stuck zippers. If you have the resources to get these for your team, I highly recommend it. The kids feel a sense of professionalism when they sit down with them. In reality, you’d only need a one per competitive position, so perhaps just get a couple for competitions while storing the major stock in freezer bags. No recommendation here, buy the bags that work for you.

Chess Clocks

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Finally, there are chess clocks. Tip #1; buy the right chess clocks the first time. These are the most expensive piece of equipment you’ll have to buy, and replacing them often is simply not an idea you’ll enjoy. Tip #2, always go digital. Analog chess clocks tend to confuse kids and break when fiddled with. Personally, I love a nice analog chess clock, but never for my team. When shopping for digital chess clocks, look for something sturdy with the fewest moving parts possible. Large buttons stand up better to abuse. Also, be sure to check what your standard time control before you buy since some clocks can’t set to certain time controls. Finally, the fewer parts that protrude means there are fewer pieces to snap off. That still leaves many good options.

Saitek offers some nice chess clocks. The Saitek Competition Chess Clock – Scholastic Blue model is pretty common and only limited by its few time control settings. The Saitek Competition Pro Chess Clock III model is more durable because of its metal construction, and it has several more time control options. Both models take a little getting used to setting and adjusting, but with just a few minutes of reading, anyone can learn.

Next, DGT chess clocks are the best you can buy for scholastic purposes. Few moving parts (which means fewer parts to break), energy efficient, and simple programming add up to the best chess clocks for the money. Additionally, they are the FIDE standard meaning that DGT is what the pros use.

Finally, the best chess clocks on the market are also the most expensive. Chronos chess clocks are completely metal, last forever, and are fully adjustable regarding time controls. The button models may lose button functionality over time, but the touch models fix that with no moving parts. If you can afford them, Chronos clocks are the best. However, for most chess teams, these are unattainable without additional fund raising. In that case, go with DGT Chess Clocks, and I recommend the Easy models.
With a little foresight, getting the right chess supplies can be easy. Just remember that buying cheaply now may be a problem later. Don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper and spend slightly more. It will pay off when you get to use the equipment for 10 or 15 years instead of only 5 or 6.

This is Part Two of Getting the Right Chess Supplies for Your Team. You should start by reading Part 1: Chess Boards & Chess Pieces.

Erik Czerwin is a self-taught chess player and also a self-taught chess coach. He founded the current Marengo Community High School Chess team, founded the Marengo Chess Club, plays at the Rockford Chess Club, and occasionally volunteers as a chess teacher at the Rockford Public Library, all in Northern Illinois. In his spare time, he’s also a full-time high school language arts teacher, part-time graduate student, part-time tutor, and full-time father of two and husband to a very understanding wife.