• Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Perspectives on all eras of videogames, computers, technology, and pop culture since 2003

Login

Login
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
  • Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Review: NOVICA Hand Carved Combination Chess Backgammon Set

NOVICA Hand Carved Combination Chess Backgammon Set
NOVICA Hand Carved Combination Chess Backgammon Set

Review: NOVICA Hand Carved Combination Chess Backgammon Set

February 27, 2016 Posted by Bill Loguidice Review No Comments

While Armchair Arcade is primarily known for its videogame, computer, and technology coverage, we occasionally like to branch out into areas that are of likely lateral interest to our audience. One of those areas is board games. As such, today I’m taking a look at the high quality NOVICA Hand Carved Combination Chess Backgammon Set.

How it arrives.

How it arrives.

There are lots of layers of shipping protection.

There are lots of layers of shipping protection.

The NOVICA Hand Carved Combination Chess Backgammon Set is a roughly 3/4 scale travel set that, as the name implies, plays both chess and backgammon. The first thing that you notice when you take this set out of the extensive protective packaging is the smell. It’s a light and pleasant one, and is due to the mix of sheesham and kadam woods.

What's inside.

What’s inside.

The bottom of the board.

The bottom of the board.

What’s also interesting is that this is a certified fair trade product in association with National Geographic. Apparently NOVICA works with Khyali Ram in India to craft this product, and it definitely does have a masterfully crafted look and feel to it, so it’s not surprising there’s an association with National Geographic.

The interior storage area and backgammon board.

The interior storage area and backgammon board.

The top of the set is the chess board, while the sliding storage drawer for the pieces also doubles as the backgammon board. This is a great use for the drawer, because it can also help keep your dice contained if you want to throw them and you’re not in a convenient place to use them freely.

The bags of pieces.

The bags of pieces.

Befitting the set’s size, the pieces are small, but also well detailed. Like the bottom of the chess board, there’s also green felt on the bottom of the pieces. Again, this is clearly designed with care. As a bonus, besides the felt, all of the pieces are also magnetic on the bottom, so they stay on the board. This is definitely something that would work in a moving vehicle or other unstable scenario.

The detail on the small pieces is excellent.

The detail on the small pieces is excellent.

If you’re looking for a classy, versatile, and transportable chess or backgammon set, it’s hard to go wrong with this product.

Thanks to NOVICA for the discounted review unit.

Related

Tags: backgammonboard gamechessclassicchessbackgammonnovicatravel
No Comments
Share

About Bill Loguidice

Bill Loguidice is a Founder and Managing Director for Armchair Arcade, as well as a critically acclaimed technology author and journalist.  He is also the co-founder of creative services firm, Armchair Creative Services, and a noted videogame and computer historian and subject matter expert. See full bio

You also might be interested in

Transit Gamer: Best Games to Play on the Road
Transit Gamer: Best Games to Play on the Road

Transit Gamer: Best Games to Play on the Road

Jun 16, 2020

Nobody should play games while driving, and we would adamantly[...]

Play historic LCD, VFD, and LED-based handheld games emulated right in your browser!
Play historic LCD, VFD, and LED-based handheld games emulated right in your browser!

Play historic LCD, VFD, and LED-based handheld games emulated right in your browser!

Mar 19, 2018

The Internet Archive has done it again! Joining their efforts[...]

RAGU International Travel Adapter with USB
RAGU International Travel Adapter with USB

Review: RAGU International Travel Adapter with USB

Jun 17, 2017

If you’re a frequent traveler, road warrior, or whatever best[...]

Leave a CommentCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • September deals at Loaded (formerly CDKeys) – Big savings on digital console and PC codes!
  • Updated CSGORoll Promo Code for 2025: Claim Free Cases & Bonuses
  • Nintendo Switch 2 named console with best game releases this year – where does your favorite rank?
  • Latency Kills Conversions: Why Storefront Performance Is an Integration Problem
  • How Trusted Injury Lawyers Handle Complex Claims
  • Here’s why Liquidity Matters More than Price for New Investors
  • Creating Buzz with Innovative Gaming Event Strategies
  • Getting More Thrills From Your Gaming Skills
  • Save $40 – $110 on TABWEE Android Tablet and 10.1-inch WiFi Digital Calendar!
  • Best deals on Loaded (formerly CDKeys) for digital PC and console games!

Recent Comments

  • Sharon Hill on Never before seen Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant WWF photos from 1981!
  • leads dubai on Should You Be Focusing More On Local Marketing?
  • Aiodensghost on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • keyboredom on Quick guide on how to play on the Internet Arcade
  • Bill Loguidice on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • Melanie Levenstein on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • George on How to Predict CS:GO/CS2 Skins Prices?
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Derek on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!

Archives

Categories

Explore

android (47) apple (37) ar (39) Arcade (172) Atari (77) atgames (173) book (99) books (98) casino (570) esports (48) firmware (43) Flashback (45) gambling (594) Gaming (41) home arcade (115) htc vive (42) humble bundle (282) humble store (67) ios (37) led (35) legends (40) legends arcade family (46) legends pinball (39) legends ultimate (71) Microsoft (43) Nintendo (76) PC (34) pc gamer (67) pc gaming (53) pinball (43) playstation (58) PS4 (37) retro (34) Sega (39) slots (93) sony (54) steam (147) switch (36) technology (36) update (42) virtual pinball (36) virtual reality (117) vive (34) viveport (42) vr (123)

Affiliates

+ Amazon

The everything store

+ Loaded (Formerly CDKeys)

Digital Games for PC and Console on Sale!

+ ACEMAGIC

Amazing PC, mini PC, and laptop deals

+ Planet Fitness

$1 down, no contract, great gyms everywhere!

+ Humble Bundle

Game deals, including name your price bundles

+ Playasia (Play-Asia.com)

Import games and collectibles

+ DJI Store

Amazing drones and related technology

+ Razer

Amazing PC gamer products!

fullSTEAMahead365 Your total news and information resource for all things Science, Technology, Engineering / Mathematics, Art, and Medicine / Health.

Human Advancement Never Stops.

Key Site Statistics

Posts published: 2,696
Latest publish date: September 17, 2025 @ 10:45 am
Registered user count: 99,026

Contact Us

If you have a question, would like to provide feedback, or otherwise wish to get in touch with us, use this form.

Send Message

Blog Posts by Date

February 2016
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
29  
« Jan   Mar »

Social Media and RSS

Support Armchair Arcade

All editorial content © 2003 - 2025 Armchair Arcade, Inc., an Armchair Creative Services, LLC, property. All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. All trademarks and copyrights are retained by their respective owners. No content is to be removed or reused from the Armchair Arcade Website for commercial purposes without explicit permission from the principal Armchair Arcade staff, or the original trademark or copyright holders. Armchair Arcade, Inc., is not responsible for the content of any external sources or links. Further, endorsement of any external sources or links is neither implied nor suggested.

We thank you for your support and encourage you to contact us for any reason, including, but not limited to, questions, concerns, business endeavors, or praise. Especially praise.

Armchair Creative Services, LLC, may earn compensation for sales from links on posts through affiliate and other programs. Editorial rigor and objectivity standards are strictly adhered to and any compensation has no effect on coverage or opinions.

Prev Next