# Looking for a good hand held chess computer **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** chess\ **Created:** [October 25, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730 "2015-10-25T16:18:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730/1 "2015-10-25T16:18:47Z")
I am looking for a hand held chess game for a friend. This is to replace one that is damaged, her old game was a Saitek Maestro. I am having trouble locating a replacement. Any ideas? I guess most people use apps for this kind of thing but my friend does not have a “device” and will never get one. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730/2 "2015-10-25T19:31:13Z")
In looking it appears that tablets with chess apps have pretty much killed the category. Why are you having trouble getting one? There’s several of the exact unit you are looking for sale on ebay. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730/3 "2015-10-27T17:40:20Z")
The only ones I’ve seen are the [ones in the toy section at Walmart](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Miles-Kimball-Black-Electronic-Handheld-Chess-Game/37516018). I have no idea how good they are. There’s also [this kind](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013CJVUYA?psc=1) with real pieces, but it’s 10 inches, so I’m not sure you’d call it “handheld.” ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730/4 "2015-10-27T17:48:06Z")
N/m ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730/5 "2015-10-28T13:54:23Z")
The [Westminster WMR pocket arcade chessmate](http://www.amazon.com/Westminster-pocket-arcade-chessmate--Electronic/dp/B004KSDLL8/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1446040432&sr=8-16&keywords=chess+computer) is probably the closest thing to the Saitek Maestro that’s currently being sold on Amazon, but there are other, older models being sold by third party sellers there as well, including the Maestro (if you are willing to shell out nearly $60). ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730/6 "2015-10-28T18:09:06Z")
You could also buy a cheap tablet and download a free chess app. It’s a weird workaround, but would work. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-hand-held-chess-computer/735730/7 "2015-10-28T18:36:46Z")
There is a [replica](http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2765.htm) of the Turk in existence. It’s not handheld, but at least it no longer requires a hidden little person.