Blitz chess presents some unique challenges. We’ve all been there. In the zone during competitive play when you accidentally fumble a piece, or the wind lifts up the board, or making a move just feels off physically. In blitz, any moment of distraction can derail your game, scramble your train of thought, and lead to unnecessary losses. Preventing these mishaps is key to improving your game. Let’s get into the disadvantages of different chess pieces.

Plastic:

Plastic is cheap, accessible, familiar, and widespread. That’s about it. Beyond those features, plastic pieces create some serious disadvantages, particularly in the high-speed setting of blitz chess.

Lightweight – The low weight of plastic pieces makes them prone to tipping or blowing over in high winds.

Fragile – Plastic chips and cracks, leading to an inconsistent feel and shabby look.

High maintenance – Even weighted plastic pieces don’t last. Eventually, the weights come loose, leading to rattling and uncomfortable play. Felt pads also come loose more often, requiring fixes.

Wood:

Wood is beautiful. The classic look contributes to the timeless feel that chess should have. But it’s not well suited for the dynamism and speed of blitz chess.

Wear & Tear – The constant pounding of blitz chess rapidly weathers wood, leading to chipping and loss of finish.

Weight – Generally, wood pieces are also too light to prevent fumbling or windblown tipping. Only nice hardwood pieces are heavy enough to stand firm and it’s a shame to ruin those with aggressive blitz play.

Metal:

Metal is great. It looks good and feels good. But the strain of blitz play does present some disadvantages.

Lack of choice – Metal sets tend to have fewer choices in color, design, and shape. That makes it more difficult to find a set that matches your preferences.

Expense – Metal pieces are way more expensive. The fear of scuffing nicer pieces will keep you from playing with the physical aggression you need for blitz chess.

Distracting – Metal pieces tend to ring or click with movement far more than their plastic and wood counterparts. These sounds can be unnerving and interrupt your thought flow.