Ray has played Thursday nights at the local club for twenty years. Last month somebody brought a feather light plastic set, and Ray picked up a knight and said nothing. His face said plenty. Weight, it turns out, is a big part of why a wooden chess set feels like chess.
I looked at what Sterling Chess says about this. A few pieces on its front page are described as double weighted or weighted, and the wording is about feel more than anything else. Which makes sense. You touch these things hundreds of times a night.
What Double Weighted Actually Means to a Player
The Dal Rossi French Lardy Boxwood and Sheesham Double Weighted pieces are described as for players who care how a set feels in the hand. They start from $129 after a 23 percent saving from $167.
That’s not a technical spec so much as a promise. The pieces should feel solid when you pick them up, and they shouldn’t skate around when you place them. Ray would nod at that.
Boxwood and Rosewood
There’s a second version, French Lardy Boxwood and Rosewood, double weighted, from $239 after a drop from $287. Different wood pairing, different look, same idea about weight.
Boxwood tends to be the light side and rosewood or sheesham the dark. Visually that gives strong contrast, which a few reviewers on the site specifically mention liking.
The Stallion and Its Weighted Staunton Cousins
Sterling Chess’s own Stallion Weighted Staunton 76mm pieces are $239 and are pitched at anyone wanting a compact set with a knight full of character. Weighted and compact together is a nice mix for smaller boards.
Ray tried to imagine a club night with them. He liked the idea. Smaller pieces, less crowded squares, still a proper feel when you slide a rook across.
How Size Affects Feel
Sizes on the page range from 66mm to 98mm. A 66mm Staunton Sheesham piece is described as compact for smaller boards, and the Craftsman Staunton at 98mm is a very different handful.
Weight and size travel together. A bigger piece with real heft feels deliberate. A smaller one with weight feels neat and quick. Pick by the kind of player you are.
Why the Knight Gets All the Attention
If you read the descriptions, the knight keeps coming up. The Craftsman chessmen are dedicated to the master artisans who designed them, and the page says the knight is where that shows. The Laughing Knight and Stallion pieces lean into it too.
That’s not an accident. Knights are the hardest to carve, and a bad one stands out. A good wooden chess set usually gets judged on its horses first.
Reviews on Comfort
A buyer wrote that what stood out was how comfortable the pieces are to move, and it was a good fit for them. That’s the comment you want to see about any set you’re considering.
Another loved the contrast between the two sides on a Laughing Knight order. Comfort and contrast, both about playing rather than displaying.
Choosing Between Looks and Heft
If you want a display piece, the page also lists luxury sets like the Spiraled Steed 84mm at $629, drawn deliberately short as a luxury pattern. If you want a workhorse, the Tournament 96mm pieces from $269 are described as made to be used hard and often.
Ray ended up with a weighted wooden set and a plain walnut board. Nothing fancy. He says the first game felt like coming home, though he lost, so maybe it wasn’t home.
Where to Start Looking
When you’re comparing options, a wooden chess set with weighted pieces is the quickest way to learn what you prefer. Pick one up at a friend’s if you can, then match the feel to the product descriptions.
The shop includes a free velvet bag with sets and pieces, valued at $27, and shipping is free on all orders. A free gift comes with every order, and the 100 day returns window means a wrong guess isn’t final.
Board Matching
Weighted pieces deserve a decent board under them. The page lists a wooden chess board range from Dal Rossi walnut at $109 up to a luxury Sheesham and Maple at 53cm for $579.
Pick a board with squares that give the pieces room. Heavy pieces on a cramped board just look angry. Tiny worry, perhaps, but you’ll notice.
Conclusion
Weight is the part of a set that photos can’t show. Read the descriptions, look for words like double weighted, and check what reviewers say about comfort. Then use the returns window if it doesn’t feel right. Ray’s knight, for the record, now lives in a velvet bag.
FAQs
Are weighted pieces better for beginners?
They’re easier to handle for many people because they feel stable. Beginners can start with any size, but comfort is worth checking.
How much is a double weighted wooden chess set?
On the page, the French Lardy double weighted pieces start from $129. Other weighted options are priced higher, such as the Stallion at $239.
What size pieces suit a small board?
The 66mm Staunton pieces are described as made for smaller boards. Compare the millimetre size with your squares.
Does a wooden chess board matter as much as the pieces?
Yes. The board gives the pieces room and contrast. Check both before ordering.