What is the difference between single and triple weighted chess pieces?
Triple-weighted will have a metal weight in them – it’s heavier and the pieces don’t fly as far when knocked over playing blitz. “Triple Weighted” is more a marketing term than anything…sounds better than “Heavier than our other pieces!”
Single weighted are your standard plastic mold pieces. Lightweight and may have a distinctive “click” on granite boards at the park, depending on the type of plastic used.
I prefer wooden chess pieces, but for a gift, I bought a freind’s grandson a tournament kit. (Chess bag, vinyl board, chess set, clock, and a game pad & rulebook)
I ordered the triple weighted chess pieces, and they had a defininate heft to them that made them feel really solid. They were quite a bit heavier than my wooden pieces. I still like wooden pieces though, and they’re certainly weighted enough that tipping over isn’t too much of a problem under most circumstances.
Funny story: The grandson was 12 or 13 at the time, and my friend told him he wanted him to use the chess set carefully, so it would last until he was 65 years old. LOL. I said um, the plastic chess set, if used frequently, won’t last but a few years before the pieces start to disintigrate. I didn’t mention that a $30 electronic clock prolly wouldn’t last 53 years either. 