Cheap chess set for a beginner

Hello,

I'm a true beginner at this game (been playing for about a week) and, although I may never reach a very advanced skill level at it (I'm 27), I'm interested in buying a chess board to practice and, of course, play with other people from time to time.

I've never bought a chess set, I don't want to pay a lot (money is tight) but I want something that is practical enough.

I was interested in those chess sets and was wondering what you thought about them :

https://www.amazon.ca/Peradix-Travel-Magnetic-Traditional-Children/dp/B07XM6KS9N/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=chess%2Bset&qid=1609625818&sr=8-14&th=1

This first one is nice because it's small so I can put it on the computer desk easily, but it also seems less practical to actually play for the same reason. I'm also worried about the black board, wont that make black pieces harder to see ?

https://www.amazon.ca/Magnetic-Portable-Folding-Desktop-Beginners/dp/B07T71K7RG/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=chess+set&qid=1609625818&refinements=p_72%3A11192170011&rnid=11192166011&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&smid=A2GXL0GNSECL8U&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyV1NJRUZDRFFLTzA0JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzIyMTIxS1hWSFZFSU1WV1NIJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNjM0OTgzQlc0TTlMMFpXWk1WJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

This one has better colors but it's also bigger so less practical when I wanna put it on a desk...

Any ideas or recommandations ? Thanks !

I have the first set, actually I have 2 of them.  12 inches I've found is the minimum size that's comfortable to play on, smaller than that the pieces are usually too large for the squares and it's just a pain to move pieces around on.  Why 2, you ask?  One I have doweled and duct taped permanently open so I can move it around easily.  Perfect analysis set since you don't have to worry about the magnetic pieces falling off when you move it.  The other is for travel, but I never use it.  Nice thing about this size is you can easily move it from next to the computer to a table or even in your lap.  I have nothing bad to say about it.  I've only ever used it to play once in a bar where I was using it to help follow along in a book.  Guy wanted to play, I said sure and it was fine, perhaps even ideal for a small bar table with glasses and bottles and plates.  

Your fears about not being able to see the black pieces?   Never had a problem.  Good luck whatever you choose!

Both sets are pretty small. Unless you absolutely must have such small sets (which are hard to play), consider sets with at least 1" squares, i.e. approx. 12" x 12" boards.

Best set is those solid plastic tournament sets (these are unweighted but feels fairly heavy because they are solid) with a vinyl board. The solid pieces will not break easily and the size makes playing easy.

The options you suggested are fine but I agree with the others. I think they are too small. 

Here is what I experienced. I started with 12" magnetic from Chesshouse.com. https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/travel-chess-sets/products/12-magnetic-travel-chess-set-in-black-and-boxwood It was very nice but it smelled terrible initially. It was the glue they used for the felt on the bottom side of the board. It went away and I was happy with it. I used it for a few months and then found it to be too small. I went to a 14" wood pieces and board shortly after that. I used it for a few months. Again I was happy with it but it was still too small. I went to a tournament size board after that and never looked back. My suggestion to you is to skip the smaller boards and just go directly to the tournament board. I think you won't regret it. 

I was planning on buying portable set to play with others at coffee houses and other places. The following is what I will eventually buy for myself. It should work for your needs as well. 

For the boards, I would go with one of the following:

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/club-style-chess-boards/products/silicone-chess-board

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/club-style-chess-boards/products/flex-pad-club-chess-board

For the pieces I would go with either of the following plastic sets:

https://amchesseq.com/collections/tournament-style-chess-pieces/products/bobby-fischer-ultimate-chess-pieces-with-new-and-improved-weighting-system?variant=32118482993210

https://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-collector-series-plastic-chessmen-3-75-king.html

I would like to caution you though. Chess suppliers are totally slammed these days. Please expect some delays if you plan on buying this anytime soon.

I'm returning to chess and bought one of those 10" magnetic traveling chess sets. While convenient I find it difficult to play on as the teeny size of the B/W pieces on a B/W board cause me to make mistakes (that's my story and I'm sticking with it)

Yep, made the same mistake way back when.  Surprisingly, the 12"sets (as long as they don't have a silly large border around the squares) are quite playable.  Of my 15 or so sets, my 12" magnetic "no longer foldable" gets the most use.  It's the one OP wants to buy...

I second the suggestion by @MCH818 of the new Ultimate Chess Pieces (one of the very best plastic sets - should serve you well for a very long time)......sold by Shelby Lohrman...

https://amchesseq.com/collections/tournament-style-chess-pieces/products/bobby-fischer-ultimate-chess-pieces-with-new-and-improved-weighting-system?variant=32118482993210

otherwise, the HoS Collector set (plastic) is good as well...

https://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-collector-series-plastic-chessmen-3-75-king.html

Finally a nice thin 1/16inch Flexpad/mousepad rollup board will work very well for you....either from Shelby Lohrman or Chess House...

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/club-style-chess-boards/products/flex-pad-club-chess-board

Shelby's site...

https://amchesseq.com/collections/tournament-chess-boards

I say don't make the same mistake I made. If you are serious about this game (I mean as a hobby of course), then buy once, cry once. First, avoid black/white squares in your boards. That is a very bad contrast for playing and analyzing for a long time, and will strain your eyesight very quickly. Buy green/buff color combination boards, or any of the nice wood color printed flex pad boards like the ones from American Chess Equipment (ACE). Those are much more comfortable on the eyes and will still not break the bank. The green and buff vinyl roll-up boards can be had for about $7 US dollars, and the flexpads for about $18. A for size, again buy something in a standard tournament size. That way you can use it on your own, but can also take it on the go to tournaments in the future if you ever choose to. If space is a factor, just realize that fitting a chess board in front of your computer at your desk is never very practical. Just clear a kitchen table, desk, dining table or any table for that matter when you need to study chess and then roll up your board and put it away when done. Very easy and convenient. Pretty much every chess manufacturer or there sells a standard double or triple weighted plastic set that is universally used in most play conditions. Buy at least a double weighted set so that your pieces don't get knocked over easily during play. A good double weighted plastic tournament set can be had for less than $20 US dollars. About $3 to $5 more than that for a triple weighted set. So if you go for a vinyl board and a triple weighted set, you can be set for a long time with about $30 dollars in total. 

If you want a set that can last a lifetime and still not break the bank, buy the same vinyl roll up board but get the ACE Bobby Fischer ultimate chess pieces. You'll pay $40 for the pieces alone, and then $7 for the vinyl board, but these chess pieces are triple weighted, made of very durable plastic, they handle great during play and are really hard to tip over by mistake. They are also very elegant and don't look out of place even in a nice wooden board. They are just a pleasure to use. If I was only to buy ONE set for everything, THAT'S what I would get. Either of the two options I mentioned above will save you money in the long run. Now if you ABSOLUTELT MUST buy the cheapest, small and easy to carry all in one set... then look at the kidami magnetic folding chess set in Amazon. You can buy it for about $18 Dollars. I own this set and it's great for when you want to go to a coffee shop or a park and analyze on the go. But for home use, I prefer my standard tournament sets. Just easier on the eyes and better feel for handling. Just a pleasure to play. I hope these options help you.