The best part about chess is your Bobby Fischer-like ability to checkmate people like you own the board. The worst part is that the game isn't exactly travel friendly. The Shesham travel chess set from Ten Thousand Villages is made from premium shesham wood and designed for the jet-setting chess player. It features holes in each square so the pegged pieces stay in place no matter where you're playing. And the pieces store inside when you're all done, so you won't be caught short a knight when you need one.

While you're playing the age old game, know that what you're play ing has a pretty great history. Noah's Artk International Exports is a fair trade handicraft marketing organization started in 1986 and has launched more than 20 independant artisan workshops. The company helps to create fair deals that benefit the artisan, as well as giving the family of the maker access to education and medical treatment.

• Open: (L)6" x (W)6" x (D).75"
• Made by Noah's Ark International Exports in India
• Shesham wood, felt lining