Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set by IC Design

The 1972 Fischer–Spassky commemorative travel chess set by Cy Endfield, in nickel silver and 24K gold plate.

Cy Endfield’s travel chess set folds into a 5.5 × 2.75-inch case and opens to a 10.75-inch square board in stainless steel and HPL, made in Switzerland. The pieces, 1.3 inches tall, are nickel silver and 24K gold plated, made in the USA.

Endfield studied drama at Yale alongside mathematics, mechanical drawing and silversmithing, worked as a sleight-of-hand magician and directed films including Zulu. His friendship with Man Ray drew him to chess. FIDE president Max Euwe chose this 1972 design as the federation’s sole commemorative set for the Fischer–Spassky World Championship match, and Endfield was granted a patent for it. IC Design presents this edition as marking the 50th anniversary of the Fischer–Spassky match, with the folding board made in Switzerland by the social workshop tät-tat.

Specifications

• Brand: IC Design (Zurich)
• Model: Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set
• Designer: Cy Endfield, 1972
• Materials: Pieces: nickel silver and 24K gold plated (USA); board: stainless steel and ecologically neutral HPL (Switzerland)
• Board folded: 5.5" × 2.75" × 0.6"
• Board open: 10.75" square
• Pieces: H 1.3" × Ø 0.75"
• Made in: USA (pieces) and Switzerland (board)
• Item number (MPN): IC-CYTC

Features

• Pieces: nickel silver and 24K gold plated (USA); board: stainless steel and ecologically neutral HPL (Switzerland)
• Designed by Cy Endfield (1972)
• Made in USA (pieces) and Switzerland (board)
• IC Design edition

Best for

Travelers, chess players, gifts for collectors and desks. Also from IC Design: Man Ray Chess Set with Board, Man Ray Chess Board, Man Ray Chess Pieces.

Who this is not for

• Players who want full-size pieces: these are about 1.3" tall.
• Anyone who needs it within a day or two: it ships in 2–3 business days.
• Shoppers looking for a mass-produced lookalike: this is a licensed IC Design edition, and the details reflect that.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009. IC Design is the Zurich company behind licensed re-editions of 20th-century artist and designer objects, made with museums, estates and foundations.

Buy once: durability and care

Our advice: dust with a soft, dry cloth and keep it out of direct sun and away from water.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set?

10.75" square.

What is the Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set made of?

Pieces: nickel silver and 24K gold plated (USA); board: stainless steel and ecologically neutral HPL (Switzerland). Made in USA (pieces) and Switzerland (board).

Is the Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set complete and ready to play?

Yes: 32 pieces and the folding board.

How do I care for the Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set?

Our advice: dust with a soft, dry cloth and keep it out of direct sun and away from water.

How fast does the Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set ship?

Ships in 2–3 business days.

Gifting & trade orders

Buying several as gifts, or for a shop, museum store or interior project? Contact us for quantities.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, contractors and builders can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on IC Design and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and free catalogs and finish swatches. Applying takes about three minutes; our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day. Furnishing a hotel suite, a children’s space or a shop display? Contact us with items and quantities and we’ll confirm availability.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days.

Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.