The weight of the chess pieces.

Hi, I am new to this site. Just joined. I am thinking about getting a wooden chess set and have been getting all the info. that I can before I buy.

I have a question. What is the best weight for a chess piece? I have visited The House of Staunton's website and they tell me the weight of the entire set. For instance, one 32 piece set weighs 47 ounces. If each piece weighs about the same, then that means the king(3.875") would weigh about 1.4 ounces.

On the other hand, Wholesale chess has a chess set where they say a 4" 1/4" King weighs 2.3 ounces.

So, how do I figure out what is a good weight for a chess piece? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

32 oz. would be acceptable but somewhat on the light side (my HOS wooden club)

54 oz. feels heavy (my 3.75 plastic collector).

64 oz is heavy ( my 4" Collector).

You can go heavier if desired.

Well, no, actually. The Pawns are smaller so they will weigh less.

You can't just divide total weight by 64 (or 66 if they include extra queens).

Oops, 32 (or 34)..... Math is HARD!

Goldendog, when you say 32, 54, 64 oz. are you referring to the whole set (32 pieces)?

Here is the set I have been thinking about getting from wholesale chess:

http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/alexander_series_wood_chess_pieces_4_1_4_king_to_ebony

Yes, 32 pieces (not including any extra queens).

At wholesalechess.com, the set weight is: 2 lbs. 11 ounces. Which equals out to 47 ounces. Again 4 1/4" King.

At chessbaron.com, I find the same type of set with a 4.25" King(don't know if that is the same size or not. Never was good with measurements.) It says it is triple weighted at 80 grams. Balance 18%. I don't think that is even 3 ounces!

(OK, I have now completed my remedial math class....)

Yes, a 4 1/4" King is a 4.25" King.

Correct, 80 grams is just under 3 ounces, or 2.8219oz.

LOL...Thanks. who in the world would want to buy a 3 oz. chess set?

um, if 84 grams is 3 ounces, then 80 grams would be a bit less, no?

Under.

You're not buying a set that is under three oz. 

The King is 80 grams.

43 ounces.

Da^m it, why is basic math so HARD!

Just curious. Is the heavy set 64 or 65 ounces? If we added Dugart's weight to this list, it seems to have an incremental increase of 11 ounces.

Edit: Then again, maybe the increase is not a whole 11 ounces, but 10.? and the last increase came below 65 or even 64.5 ounces.

Rsava and Sunshiny - Thanks for correcting me. Appreciate it.

No prob. I just wanted you to have the correct info so it isn't a problem when you compare it with other sets.

For what it's worth, the typical "triple weighted" plastic set with 3/3/4" king is around 43-45 grams for the R,N,B.  That is from both of my sets, a Paladin set from Chess House and an old Drueke #35 set bought in the '60's from USCF.  It also depends a great deal on the pawn weights which can cause the total set weight to be mis-interpreted.  My Paladin pawns are almost twice as heavy as the Drueke for some reason so total set weight is greater but since pawns are much shorter, it is a non-issue.

If you have a wood set, the weights may be similar but the center of gravity is usually higher since the wood is usually not hollowed out all the way to the top, and there is less room at the base for weights, hence the center of gravity of the typical wood set is somewhat higher than a weighted plastic set for a given weight.

Also, lead is a very toxic heavy metal.  Do not plan on melting lead to create weights in chess pieces.

My 4" Collector king weighs 92 grams, fwiw.

I have a set that I bought from wholesale chess dot com called the executive set. 3 7/8" king, which weighs 45g, and I forget the weight on the whole set. I went back to check it out, but they have remodeled the whole site, and it doesn't say what the set's weight is any more. (It used to.) Any way, the set is heavy. It is plenty heavy enough for blitz. I like the combo which came with the board and caryall bag. One rook and one knight came with the weights not flush, and one phone call later, and replacements were on their way free of shipping charges, and I am super happy with it. $24.99

everything that you can pick up easily and doesn't flop around works well. However Id get something that is on the heavier side. It gives you more exercise while playing chess :)