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The Cooke type is an early reading of the 1849 Staunton, and a noticeably more generous drawing than the ones that came after it.
What marks it out is how much timber is left low down. The bases are wide and weighted, so the whole army sits down heavily and looks planted.
The king is represented by his crown and the queen by her coronet, and the step between the two is the widest in the army by a distance.
The rooks are drawn as castles should be, with widely crenellated battlements, and the pawns are plain ball tops with nothing fussy about them.
It belongs with our reproduction chess pieces.
The 1849 pattern settled the shape of the game, and the Cooke type is one of the early readings of it, carrying more material at the bottom of every piece than a modern Staunton does.
You feel that generosity in the hand. The bases are broad and weighted, and there is real substance to every piece, which makes the set unusually stable and pleasant to move around the board.
The antiqued light army is what finishes it. The boxwood is mellowed down from a bright cream to a warm aged tone, so the set skips the awkward stage a new one goes through and looks right from the first game.
These pieces suit larger boards, with squares of 60mm to 65mm, and 65mm is the one to aim for. Space is the real caveat with this set, on the board and on the table alike.
This is a collector's set that happens to be entirely practical to play with, and it is worth being clear about which of those two things you are buying it for.
If you care about chess history, the appeal is obvious: this is the pattern at its source, before it was simplified.
It is a set that rewards knowing what you are looking at, and it gives you something to talk about when it is out on the table.
If you simply want a large, handsome army for a table, it works on that level too. The antiqued boxwood keeps it from looking stark, and the weight makes it satisfying to use rather than merely decorative.
It is a poor fit for a small board or a small room. The wide bases and the height mean it needs space, and it will look crowded on anything under sixty millimetre squares.
That is the one thing worth measuring before you order, because everything else about the set rewards being left out on a table where it can be seen.
Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, dust it with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners alone.
The drawing is the whole case here. Later Staunton patterns are handsome but leaner, and once you have handled an early one the difference in generosity is hard to unsee.
The ebony is worth paying for over an ebonised timber. The colour belongs to the species, so a knock shows as a mark in the wood and never exposes pale timber underneath.
It is large, heavy and it needs a proper board and a permanent home. For the 1849 lineage at a scale you can pack away, our tournament chess pieces are the better starting point.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Go for 65mm squares. The set will sit on 60mm, but the bases are wide for the height and the position closes up quickly at that end.
Yes, and the weight sits in those wide bases, and that is what makes the set so stable. The full 34 pieces weigh 1,600 grams.
A Cooke type follows one of the first interpretations of the 1849 Staunton, before the pattern was pared back. The give-away is how much timber sits low in every piece, and how far the crown stands above the coronet.
The light army arrives already mellow. The antiquing mutes the cream of new boxwood, so the set reads as a used one from its very first game.
Ebony is naturally dark right through the species, where an ebonised piece is boxwood brought to a near black. On this set the dark army is the ebony.
34 pieces, which is two more than a game array uses. No board is included, so that is chosen separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
108mm high (4.3 inch), 48mm base |
|
Queen |
82mm high (3.2 inch), 45mm base |
|
Bishop |
76mm high (3.0 inch), 41mm base |
|
Knight |
72mm high (2.8 inch), 40mm base |
|
Rook |
62mm high (2.4 inch), 40mm base |
|
Pawn |
54mm high (2.1 inch), 34mm base |
|
Material |
Ebony Wood / Antiqued Boxwood |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony Wood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued Boxwood |
|
Total weight |
1,600 grams (3.5 lbs) |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm to 65mm (2.36 inch to 2.56 inch) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in ebony and antiqued boxwood
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
Chess board not included
Storage box not included
All products sold by Sterling Chess are backed by a 12 month limited manufacturer warranty. This covers manufacturing defects and cracking, and ensures every product is 100% genuine. If you need assistance, our team is only a call or email away.
Is shipping really free?
Yes — we offer free standard shipping on all orders across Australia, with no minimum spend. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
Are there any exceptions to free shipping?
No exceptions. Every order ships free, regardless of size, weight, or order value.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Orders are typically dispatched within 1–2 business days, with delivery times depending on your location. You'll receive tracking details by email once your order is on its way.
Do you ship to all areas of Australia?
Yes, we deliver Australia-wide, including regional and remote areas — all at no shipping cost to you.
Can I track my order?
Absolutely. As soon as your order ships, we'll email you a tracking number so you can follow its journey to your door.
What if I need my order quickly?
Get in touch before ordering and we'll do our best to help. Standard shipping is free, and we'll advise on the fastest available option for your area. To contact us, simply email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au, call (03) 7037 0931 or open the live chat.
Changed your mind? You can return unused, unopened items within 100 days of your order date, provided they’re in original packaging and resaleable condition. Sterling Chess will cover the cost of shipping return items under our 100-day free returns policy.
All Sterling Chess products are backed by Australian Consumer Law and include a minimum 12-month Australian warranty. If there’s an issue with your product, our team is here to help and will work to make it right.
Click here to view our full returns policy.
If you're shopping for a new chess set, you're in the right place—and here's why.
1. We know chess inside and out
At Sterling Chess, we're not just another online store. We’re chess lovers, players, collectors, and game night fanatics.
That means we care about quality, balance, and feel—and we only stock sets we’d use ourselves. From tournament-grade boards to handcrafted wooden pieces, we’ve got what real players want.
2. Unmatched variety for every player
Whether you're just learning or a lifelong grandmaster, we have something for you.
Looking for a folding set for travel? A stunning showpiece for your home? A kid-friendly set for your budding chess champion? We’ve got it all—and more.
3. Fast and FREE shipping on all orders
Shipping is FREE on all Sterling Chess orders.
We ship quickly from local and international warehouses, so you’re not waiting weeks to get your game on.
Most orders are packed and sent within 24–48 hours. Plus, you’ll get tracking updates every step of the way.
4. Customer support that actually helps
Have a question? Need help choosing a set? Our friendly team is ready to help—no scripts, no bots, just real people who care about your experience.
You can call our team anytime between business hours on (03) 7037 0931 or email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au. Alternatively, you can use our live chat during business hours to contact our helpful support team.
5. Thousands of happy customers
Don't just take our word for it—our reviews speak for themselves. Sterling Chess is trusted by thousands of players who keep coming back for more. Great products. Great service. No hassle.
6. Classic games, too
We're all about chess—but we also carry backgammon, checkers, poker and other timeless strategy games. If you love the classics, you’ll feel right at home.
Ready to make your move?
Choose a chess set that fits your style, skill level, and space—and enjoy the Sterling Chess difference. You’ll love how it looks. You’ll love how it plays. And you’ll love buying from a team that loves the game just as much as you do.
The Cooke type is an early reading of the 1849 Staunton, and a noticeably more generous drawing than the ones that came after it.
What marks it out is how much timber is left low down. The bases are wide and weighted, so the whole army sits down heavily and looks planted.
The king is represented by his crown and the queen by her coronet, and the step between the two is the widest in the army by a distance.
The rooks are drawn as castles should be, with widely crenellated battlements, and the pawns are plain ball tops with nothing fussy about them.
It belongs with our reproduction chess pieces.
The 1849 pattern settled the shape of the game, and the Cooke type is one of the early readings of it, carrying more material at the bottom of every piece than a modern Staunton does.
You feel that generosity in the hand. The bases are broad and weighted, and there is real substance to every piece, which makes the set unusually stable and pleasant to move around the board.
The antiqued light army is what finishes it. The boxwood is mellowed down from a bright cream to a warm aged tone, so the set skips the awkward stage a new one goes through and looks right from the first game.
These pieces suit larger boards, with squares of 60mm to 65mm, and 65mm is the one to aim for. Space is the real caveat with this set, on the board and on the table alike.
This is a collector's set that happens to be entirely practical to play with, and it is worth being clear about which of those two things you are buying it for.
If you care about chess history, the appeal is obvious: this is the pattern at its source, before it was simplified.
It is a set that rewards knowing what you are looking at, and it gives you something to talk about when it is out on the table.
If you simply want a large, handsome army for a table, it works on that level too. The antiqued boxwood keeps it from looking stark, and the weight makes it satisfying to use rather than merely decorative.
It is a poor fit for a small board or a small room. The wide bases and the height mean it needs space, and it will look crowded on anything under sixty millimetre squares.
That is the one thing worth measuring before you order, because everything else about the set rewards being left out on a table where it can be seen.
Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, dust it with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners alone.
The drawing is the whole case here. Later Staunton patterns are handsome but leaner, and once you have handled an early one the difference in generosity is hard to unsee.
The ebony is worth paying for over an ebonised timber. The colour belongs to the species, so a knock shows as a mark in the wood and never exposes pale timber underneath.
It is large, heavy and it needs a proper board and a permanent home. For the 1849 lineage at a scale you can pack away, our tournament chess pieces are the better starting point.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Go for 65mm squares. The set will sit on 60mm, but the bases are wide for the height and the position closes up quickly at that end.
Yes, and the weight sits in those wide bases, and that is what makes the set so stable. The full 34 pieces weigh 1,600 grams.
A Cooke type follows one of the first interpretations of the 1849 Staunton, before the pattern was pared back. The give-away is how much timber sits low in every piece, and how far the crown stands above the coronet.
The light army arrives already mellow. The antiquing mutes the cream of new boxwood, so the set reads as a used one from its very first game.
Ebony is naturally dark right through the species, where an ebonised piece is boxwood brought to a near black. On this set the dark army is the ebony.
34 pieces, which is two more than a game array uses. No board is included, so that is chosen separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
108mm high (4.3 inch), 48mm base |
|
Queen |
82mm high (3.2 inch), 45mm base |
|
Bishop |
76mm high (3.0 inch), 41mm base |
|
Knight |
72mm high (2.8 inch), 40mm base |
|
Rook |
62mm high (2.4 inch), 40mm base |
|
Pawn |
54mm high (2.1 inch), 34mm base |
|
Material |
Ebony Wood / Antiqued Boxwood |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony Wood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued Boxwood |
|
Total weight |
1,600 grams (3.5 lbs) |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm to 65mm (2.36 inch to 2.56 inch) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in ebony and antiqued boxwood
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
Chess board not included
Storage box not included
All products sold by Sterling Chess are backed by a 12 month limited manufacturer warranty. This covers manufacturing defects and cracking, and ensures every product is 100% genuine. If you need assistance, our team is only a call or email away.
Is shipping really free?
Yes — we offer free standard shipping on all orders across Australia, with no minimum spend. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
Are there any exceptions to free shipping?
No exceptions. Every order ships free, regardless of size, weight, or order value.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Orders are typically dispatched within 1–2 business days, with delivery times depending on your location. You'll receive tracking details by email once your order is on its way.
Do you ship to all areas of Australia?
Yes, we deliver Australia-wide, including regional and remote areas — all at no shipping cost to you.
Can I track my order?
Absolutely. As soon as your order ships, we'll email you a tracking number so you can follow its journey to your door.
What if I need my order quickly?
Get in touch before ordering and we'll do our best to help. Standard shipping is free, and we'll advise on the fastest available option for your area. To contact us, simply email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au, call (03) 7037 0931 or open the live chat.
Changed your mind? You can return unused, unopened items within 100 days of your order date, provided they’re in original packaging and resaleable condition. Sterling Chess will cover the cost of shipping return items under our 100-day free returns policy.
All Sterling Chess products are backed by Australian Consumer Law and include a minimum 12-month Australian warranty. If there’s an issue with your product, our team is here to help and will work to make it right.
Click here to view our full returns policy.
If you're shopping for a new chess set, you're in the right place—and here's why.
1. We know chess inside and out
At Sterling Chess, we're not just another online store. We’re chess lovers, players, collectors, and game night fanatics.
That means we care about quality, balance, and feel—and we only stock sets we’d use ourselves. From tournament-grade boards to handcrafted wooden pieces, we’ve got what real players want.
2. Unmatched variety for every player
Whether you're just learning or a lifelong grandmaster, we have something for you.
Looking for a folding set for travel? A stunning showpiece for your home? A kid-friendly set for your budding chess champion? We’ve got it all—and more.
3. Fast and FREE shipping on all orders
Shipping is FREE on all Sterling Chess orders.
We ship quickly from local and international warehouses, so you’re not waiting weeks to get your game on.
Most orders are packed and sent within 24–48 hours. Plus, you’ll get tracking updates every step of the way.
4. Customer support that actually helps
Have a question? Need help choosing a set? Our friendly team is ready to help—no scripts, no bots, just real people who care about your experience.
You can call our team anytime between business hours on (03) 7037 0931 or email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au. Alternatively, you can use our live chat during business hours to contact our helpful support team.
5. Thousands of happy customers
Don't just take our word for it—our reviews speak for themselves. Sterling Chess is trusted by thousands of players who keep coming back for more. Great products. Great service. No hassle.
6. Classic games, too
We're all about chess—but we also carry backgammon, checkers, poker and other timeless strategy games. If you love the classics, you’ll feel right at home.
Ready to make your move?
Choose a chess set that fits your style, skill level, and space—and enjoy the Sterling Chess difference. You’ll love how it looks. You’ll love how it plays. And you’ll love buying from a team that loves the game just as much as you do.
