Soviet Travel Chess Set "Malyutka" – Mini Pocket Chess Board, Vintage USSR 1970s
Soviet Travel Chess Set "Malyutka" – Mini Pocket Chess Board, Vintage USSR 1970s
Free shipping worldwide · Import duties, if any, are paid by the buyer
About this piece
Sold – see similar Soviet board games and chess sets in our collection. Vintage Malyutka travel chess set from the USSR, 1970s, complete with its box.
From the seller's notes
This item has been sold. Looking for something similar? Browse our Toys & Games collection — new original pieces are added regularly.
This Soviet travel chess set is the "Malyutka" (meaning Tiny or Little One), a mini pocket chess set produced in the USSR in the 1970s. It is complete with all of its original plastic pieces, a folding reinforced-cardboard board and the original box decorated with classic Soviet graphics of Young Pioneers playing chess. A neat, portable piece of Soviet gaming history.
Item Details
- Type: Mini travel chess set
- Name: Malyutka
- Era: 1970s, based on the OCT 73 standard
- Pieces: Plastic, black and cream/white
- Board: Folding reinforced cardboard, 16.5 x 12.5 cm (6.5 x 4.9 in) unfolded
- King Height: About 3 cm (1.2 in)
- Box Markings: Art. GK-049-148, price 1 ruble 60 kopecks, OCT 6-05-239-73
- Box Text: Malyutka in both Russian and Georgian
- Country of Manufacture: USSR
Condition
Used, in good vintage condition for its age. The plastic pieces are well preserved with no major chips. The folding board shows minor age-related wear at the seams, and the box has some scuffs and yellowing that give it a vintage patina. Please refer to the photos for the exact condition.
About This Piece
Compact chess sets were popular in the Soviet Union, a country with a strong chess culture, because they could go in a bag for a trip or a school day. The bilingual box, with the name printed in Russian and Georgian, points to a set made or distributed with the Caucasus region in mind. A boxed set with its factory markings and printed price is appealing to collectors of Soviet board games, and it can still be used as a functional travel set.
What's Included
- Complete set of original plastic chess pieces
- Folding cardboard chess board
- Original box with Soviet Young Pioneers graphics
Worldwide shipping from Ukraine. Every order is carefully packed — fragile items are packed separately — and shipped via Ukrposhta with a tracking number.
- Worldwide delivery: typically 2–4 weeks
- Package tracking is included when offered by the carrier
For returns, see the Return Policy tab.
Returns & Refunds
I want you to be happy with every piece you buy from Soviet Vintage Store. If something is not right, you can return it within 30 days of delivery.
How to return an item
- Email me at vladimirchuprina1971@gmail.com or message me on WhatsApp (+380 50 258 5695) within 30 days of delivery. Please include your order number and the reason for the return.
- I will confirm the return and reply with instructions. Items sent back without contacting me first cannot be accepted.
- The item must be returned in the same condition you received it, with all parts, accessories and original packaging that came with it.
- Return shipping is paid by the buyer. Please use a tracked shipping service and pack the item carefully — vintage pieces are fragile, and I can't refund items damaged on the way back.
Return address
Soviet Vintage Store
Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 51453, Ukraine
(I will confirm the full address and recipient name by email when your return is approved.)
Damaged or not as described
Please inspect your order when it arrives. If an item arrives damaged or is significantly different from its description, contact me within 30 days of delivery with photos of the item and the packaging, and we will agree on a fair solution — a refund, a partial refund or a return.
Refunds
Once I receive and inspect the returned item, I will let you know whether the refund is approved. Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method within 10 business days. Your bank or card company may need extra time to post the refund. The original shipping was free, so there is nothing to deduct for it; import duties or taxes you paid in your country are not refundable by me.
Exchanges
Most items are one of a kind, so exchanges usually aren't possible. Return the item for a refund and place a new order for the piece you want.
Payments in this store are processed by Western Bid, Inc. (see our Terms of Service). Questions about a return? Write to me any time: vladimirchuprina1971@gmail.com.
Original Soviet object
Authentic item from the USSR period, not a reproduction.
Honest condition
Wear, marks and working status are described, not hidden.
Photographed as is
What you see in the photos is exactly what you receive.
Packed with care
Fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed separately.
Tracked shipping
Free tracked shipping from Ukraine. Dispatched within 1–2 business days.
30-day returns
Return within 30 days of delivery; the buyer pays return shipping.
Original Soviet objects · Described honestly
Condition guide
- New old stockUnused, from old warehouse stock
- ✓ Used vintageThis item
- As-is / for partsSold untested or not working
Care & handling
- Dust with a soft dry cloth.
- Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners on original finishes.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Handle with care — it has already survived decades.
Frequently asked questions
Is this item authentic?
Yes. I sell original vintage items, not reproductions. If an item's age or origin is uncertain, I say so clearly in the description.
How is the item packed?
I pack every item myself. Fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed separately.
How long does shipping to the US take?
Shipping is free — it is included in the price. I dispatch within 1–2 business days from Ukraine via Ukrposhta with a tracking number; delivery to the US typically takes 2–4 weeks. Import duties, if any, are paid by the buyer.
Can I return the item?
Yes. You can return an item within 30 days of delivery; the buyer pays return shipping. Contact me first and I will send the return details. See the Refund Policy for details.
Can I make an offer?
Yes — use the “Make an offer” link next to the price. If I accept, you'll receive a secure checkout link at the agreed price.