Chess Sets

Choose a chess set by style

Every set in this range arrives with both the board and the pieces matched to each other, so the sizing question is already solved for you.

• Wood chess sets: the heart of the range and the safest first purchase. Sheesham, boxwood, walnut and ebony, from everyday sets to heirloom pieces.
• Staunton chess sets: the pattern used in competition since 1849 and the shape every player reads instantly across a board.
• Tournament chess sets: regulation proportions and weighted pieces, built for clubs, schools and serious practice.
• Luxury chess sets: handcrafted sets at the collector end, where materials and finish are the point.
• Theme chess sets: historical, mythological and figural armies for display and for gifts.
• Metal chess sets: cast brass and pewter with real weight and detail that timber cannot hold.
• Marble chess sets: natural stone, quieter than metal and heavier again.
• Electronic chess sets: DGT sensor boards and the self contained Centaur computer, for playing and analysing on real pieces.
• Travel chess sets: compact and magnetic sets that survive a bag.
• Reproduction chess sets: faithful copies of historical patterns for collectors.
• Sterling Chess: our own label, covering complete sets alongside pieces, boards and tables.

Which chess set should you buy?

If it is a first set, or a gift for someone learning, a timber Staunton set in the middle of the range is the answer almost every time. The shapes are readable, the pieces are weighted enough to stay put, and nothing about it will hold a player back as they improve.

If the set is for club or tournament practice, buy to regulation proportions so that practice matches competition. If it is a centrepiece, material and detail matter more than readability, and a themed or metal set earns its place. Buying board and pieces separately instead gives you more control, and the chess boards and chess pieces ranges cover that route.

What makes a good chess set

Weight is the first thing you notice. Weighted pieces sit firmly, do not topple when the board is knocked and feel deliberate to move. Felted bases matter almost as much, because they protect the board and make the piece slide cleanly rather than scrape.

After that it is proportion. The king should be tall enough to command the board without the pieces crowding each other, and the two armies need enough contrast to read at a glance. Every set we stock is set up and played on before it goes into the catalogue, which is the only reliable way to judge any of this.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in a chess set?

A board and a full set of 32 pieces, matched for size. Many sets also include storage, either a drawer built into the board or a box or pouch for the pieces.

What chess set should a beginner buy?

A weighted timber Staunton set with a board between 45cm and 50cm. It is readable, durable and it will still be the right set several years of improvement later.

Are your chess sets authentic?

Yes. We source directly from the brands we represent rather than through grey channels, so what arrives is genuine current stock.

Can I buy the board and the pieces separately?

Yes, and plenty of people do. See chess boards and chess pieces. Check the square size against the king's base diameter before you commit, or ask us to check it for you.

Which material is best for a chess set?

Timber for play and longevity, metal and marble for presence and display, plastic for sets that travel to clubs and schools. Wood is the default recommendation for a reason.

Do you ship chess sets Australia wide?

Yes. Orders ship from Australian stock with local support, and everything is covered by 100 day free returns.

Backed by Sterling Chess

Every set we stock is handled, weighed and set up before it goes into the catalogue. That is how we can tell you which sets feel right in play rather than only which ones look good in a photograph.

If you are choosing between two sets, or buying for someone else and want it right, the team is a call or email away on (03) 7037 0931.