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This reproduces the Harrwitz Staunton chessmen of 1852 to 1855. Antique originals of that model were the reference for the work, so the detail on it is accurate down to small things.
The king stands 91mm, which is a full playing scale, and every other piece in the army is cut in proportion to it.
Ebony wood makes the dark army and antiqued boxwood the light one. Those two timbers are the pair this set is worked in, and every height and base is set out in the table below.
Bases are wide and squat right across the army. That is what gives every piece its settled stance, and it keeps the whole set behaving once a game gets quick.
Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.
The reason to choose this one is accuracy. It follows a mid nineteenth century Staunton variant piece by piece, and nothing in the army has been quietly modernised along the way.
The size is part of the reproduction and not a modern convenience. The original Harrwitz series was made with a king of this height, and holding to it is what keeps the rest of the army in the proportions the design had.
What that pairing looks like on a board is a thing to judge with your own eyes. The photographs on this listing show the two armies facing each other, which is the fairest way to decide whether it is one you want on your table.
It is meant to be played with and not only looked at. The shapes at this scale read clearly from a seat at the table, and a quick game never comes down to squinting at which piece is which.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm. Get inside that window and the back rank sits the way a Harrwitz rank should, with the broad feet evenly spaced across it. Measure the squares you own first.
This suits a buyer who wants the history and wants to play with it too. A period design followed this closely gives you both, and neither half of it is an afterthought.
Anyone who keeps a set standing on a table all year will get on with it. This is a design with a date attached to it, so a board left set up reads as something chosen rather than something just unpacked.
The honest note is that this is a reproduction and it behaves like one. The shapes were settled in the eighteen fifties and they have been left there, so anyone who wants a current silhouette will find this one old fashioned on purpose.
There is one pairing of timbers here and no option to weigh up, so the only thing left to settle is the board. Get a ruler across its squares before anything is ordered.
Looking after them is a simple job. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from a heater, and dust with a dry soft cloth. Leave oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners alone.
What I like here is that somebody went and measured the originals. Antique pieces of the model stood behind the work, and it shows less in any single man than in the way the whole army hangs together.
The stance is the rest of it. Wide squat feet and a low centre of gravity make an army that stays where it is put when a game gets quick, and none of that costs it anything in looks.
Then measure your board. The feet on this one are broad, so give the set the room its window allows and the back rank will look the way the design intended.
Look elsewhere if you want to pick a finish, or a shape with no history behind it. This design was settled long before any of us and it arrives exactly one way. Anyone after something newer should start in our minimalist chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. The king sits on a broad foot, so if you are choosing a board fresh the upper end of that range gives the rank a little more air. Measure your own board before you settle on anything.
No. It is a modern reproduction, with antique pieces of the 1852-55 Harrwitz model as its reference, so the shapes and the proportions stay very close to them.
Yes. The bases are wide and squat and the centre of gravity sits low because of it, so a man stays planted when it is set down in a hurry and the set performs well through a fast game.
Substantial. The full army runs to 1,250 grams, so a piece has real presence as it is lifted and placed, which is much of the pleasure of playing with hardwood.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
91mm high, 41mm base |
|
Queen |
75mm high (3.0 inch), 39mm base |
|
Bishop |
67mm high (2.6 inch), 35mm base |
|
Knight |
59mm high (2.3 inch), 35mm base |
|
Rook |
52mm high (2.0 inch), 35mm base |
|
Pawn |
48mm high (1.9 inch), 32mm base |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
King height |
91mm |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,250 grams (2.8 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in ebony wood and antiqued boxwood, including a spare queen of each colour
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.
This reproduces the Harrwitz Staunton chessmen of 1852 to 1855. Antique originals of that model were the reference for the work, so the detail on it is accurate down to small things.
The king stands 91mm, which is a full playing scale, and every other piece in the army is cut in proportion to it.
Ebony wood makes the dark army and antiqued boxwood the light one. Those two timbers are the pair this set is worked in, and every height and base is set out in the table below.
Bases are wide and squat right across the army. That is what gives every piece its settled stance, and it keeps the whole set behaving once a game gets quick.
Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.
The reason to choose this one is accuracy. It follows a mid nineteenth century Staunton variant piece by piece, and nothing in the army has been quietly modernised along the way.
The size is part of the reproduction and not a modern convenience. The original Harrwitz series was made with a king of this height, and holding to it is what keeps the rest of the army in the proportions the design had.
What that pairing looks like on a board is a thing to judge with your own eyes. The photographs on this listing show the two armies facing each other, which is the fairest way to decide whether it is one you want on your table.
It is meant to be played with and not only looked at. The shapes at this scale read clearly from a seat at the table, and a quick game never comes down to squinting at which piece is which.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm. Get inside that window and the back rank sits the way a Harrwitz rank should, with the broad feet evenly spaced across it. Measure the squares you own first.
This suits a buyer who wants the history and wants to play with it too. A period design followed this closely gives you both, and neither half of it is an afterthought.
Anyone who keeps a set standing on a table all year will get on with it. This is a design with a date attached to it, so a board left set up reads as something chosen rather than something just unpacked.
The honest note is that this is a reproduction and it behaves like one. The shapes were settled in the eighteen fifties and they have been left there, so anyone who wants a current silhouette will find this one old fashioned on purpose.
There is one pairing of timbers here and no option to weigh up, so the only thing left to settle is the board. Get a ruler across its squares before anything is ordered.
Looking after them is a simple job. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from a heater, and dust with a dry soft cloth. Leave oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners alone.
What I like here is that somebody went and measured the originals. Antique pieces of the model stood behind the work, and it shows less in any single man than in the way the whole army hangs together.
The stance is the rest of it. Wide squat feet and a low centre of gravity make an army that stays where it is put when a game gets quick, and none of that costs it anything in looks.
Then measure your board. The feet on this one are broad, so give the set the room its window allows and the back rank will look the way the design intended.
Look elsewhere if you want to pick a finish, or a shape with no history behind it. This design was settled long before any of us and it arrives exactly one way. Anyone after something newer should start in our minimalist chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. The king sits on a broad foot, so if you are choosing a board fresh the upper end of that range gives the rank a little more air. Measure your own board before you settle on anything.
No. It is a modern reproduction, with antique pieces of the 1852-55 Harrwitz model as its reference, so the shapes and the proportions stay very close to them.
Yes. The bases are wide and squat and the centre of gravity sits low because of it, so a man stays planted when it is set down in a hurry and the set performs well through a fast game.
Substantial. The full army runs to 1,250 grams, so a piece has real presence as it is lifted and placed, which is much of the pleasure of playing with hardwood.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
91mm high, 41mm base |
|
Queen |
75mm high (3.0 inch), 39mm base |
|
Bishop |
67mm high (2.6 inch), 35mm base |
|
Knight |
59mm high (2.3 inch), 35mm base |
|
Rook |
52mm high (2.0 inch), 35mm base |
|
Pawn |
48mm high (1.9 inch), 32mm base |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
King height |
91mm |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,250 grams (2.8 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in ebony wood and antiqued boxwood, including a spare queen of each colour
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.
