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This is the Dubrovnik pattern sold unweighted at the base, as the original sets were, and that one difference is the whole of it.
The 97mm king, the fat chunky bases and the proportions are all as the weighted version has them. What changes is the weight: 675 grams for the complete 34 pieces, and much lighter in the hand.
The pattern comes from the workshop that made the originals in the fifties and sixties, and it is the design Bobby Fischer named as the one he preferred to play on.
What makes it distinctive is the base: broad and deep in proportion to the piece above it, with the bishop, knight and rook all sharing one foot. The army looks planted even without ballast in it.
The dark side is mahogany stained against boxwood, and it sits with our reproduction chess pieces.
Unweighted is a description of how the set is built, not a shortcut in it. The originals from the fifties and sixties were made this way, and a reproduction that adds ballast is making a choice the original did not.
The figure that tells the story is 675 grams across 34 pieces. That is light for an army this tall, and you will feel it from the first move. Pieces lift easily, move quickly, and do not thump onto the square.
What keeps it stable is the geometry rather than the mass. The king stands on a broad foot, the bishop, knight and rook all share one, and those are wide feet for the heights above them.
That is why a Dubrovnik looks planted on the board with nothing added inside it. It will not, however, hold a position against a knocked table the way a much heavier set does.
A large board suits these, with squares of 55mm to 60mm, and 60mm is the size to aim for. At the tighter end the opening two ranks close up and the broad feet almost meet, and these bases are meant to be seen.
The Dubrovnik was made in the fifties and sixties, and it has an unusual status among chess patterns: it is the design Bobby Fischer named as the one he most liked to play on.
He is on record preferring it, and photographs and film of him analysing with a set of this shape are part of why the pattern stayed in demand long after the original workshop stopped.
That is a preference rather than a verdict, and it is worth stating as such. What can be said about the design objectively is what the proportions show.
The king and queen are close in both height and width, and the bishop, knight and rook share a single foot, so three of the six pieces stand on exactly the same footprint.
The result is a board where the back rank reads as substantial across its whole width and the rook and pawn sit clearly beneath it. That is a different balance from a Staunton that tapers steadily outwards.
Be clear about the choice you are making. This is a light set, and if you like the deliberate thump of a heavy piece landing, the weighted version of the same pattern is the one to buy.
Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what causes hardwood to check, dust with a dry soft cloth and nothing else, and skip oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners entirely.
What you get here is the Dubrovnik as the originals were made. Unweighted at the base, and stable because of the fat chunky bases, with nothing added inside.
It also suits a particular kind of player. A light set moves fast and does not tire the hand over a long session, which is the whole appeal if that is how you like to play.
Be honest with yourself about the weight. You will notice it on the first move if you are used to a heavy army, and you may not like it. If that is you, our luxury chess pieces are where to look instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55mm to 60mm, and 60mm is the better of the two. This pattern's broad bases are meant to be seen, so the larger square suits it, and at the tighter end the feet across the middle of the rank almost meet.
No ballast is added at the base. The complete 34 pieces weigh 675 grams, well under what the same pattern carries when it is weighted. The originals from the fifties and sixties were made this way.
Yes, from the geometry. The bases are wide for the heights above them, which is why a Dubrovnik looks planted with nothing added inside. It will not, however, hold a position against a knocked table the way a heavy set does.
This one if you want what the original was, or if you prefer a light set you can move quickly. The weighted version if you play in a busy room. It is a genuine preference either way.
The Dubrovnik is the pattern he named as the one he most liked to play on, and he was photographed and filmed analysing with a set of this shape. That is his stated preference, and it is reported here as one.
34 chess pieces, two more than a game uses. No board is included, so it is chosen separately and should match the square size in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
97mm high (3.8 inch), 44mm base |
|
Queen |
85mm high (3.3 inch), 42mm base |
|
Bishop |
75mm high (3.0 inch), 39mm base |
|
Knight |
70mm high (2.8 inch), 39mm base |
|
Rook |
56mm high (2.2 inch), 39mm base |
|
Pawn |
49mm high (1.9 inch), 33mm base |
|
Material |
Mahogany Stained / Boxwood |
|
Dark pieces |
Mahogany Stained |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Unweighted at the base |
|
Total weight |
675 grams (1.5 lbs) |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in mahogany stained 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.
This is the Dubrovnik pattern sold unweighted at the base, as the original sets were, and that one difference is the whole of it.
The 97mm king, the fat chunky bases and the proportions are all as the weighted version has them. What changes is the weight: 675 grams for the complete 34 pieces, and much lighter in the hand.
The pattern comes from the workshop that made the originals in the fifties and sixties, and it is the design Bobby Fischer named as the one he preferred to play on.
What makes it distinctive is the base: broad and deep in proportion to the piece above it, with the bishop, knight and rook all sharing one foot. The army looks planted even without ballast in it.
The dark side is mahogany stained against boxwood, and it sits with our reproduction chess pieces.
Unweighted is a description of how the set is built, not a shortcut in it. The originals from the fifties and sixties were made this way, and a reproduction that adds ballast is making a choice the original did not.
The figure that tells the story is 675 grams across 34 pieces. That is light for an army this tall, and you will feel it from the first move. Pieces lift easily, move quickly, and do not thump onto the square.
What keeps it stable is the geometry rather than the mass. The king stands on a broad foot, the bishop, knight and rook all share one, and those are wide feet for the heights above them.
That is why a Dubrovnik looks planted on the board with nothing added inside it. It will not, however, hold a position against a knocked table the way a much heavier set does.
A large board suits these, with squares of 55mm to 60mm, and 60mm is the size to aim for. At the tighter end the opening two ranks close up and the broad feet almost meet, and these bases are meant to be seen.
The Dubrovnik was made in the fifties and sixties, and it has an unusual status among chess patterns: it is the design Bobby Fischer named as the one he most liked to play on.
He is on record preferring it, and photographs and film of him analysing with a set of this shape are part of why the pattern stayed in demand long after the original workshop stopped.
That is a preference rather than a verdict, and it is worth stating as such. What can be said about the design objectively is what the proportions show.
The king and queen are close in both height and width, and the bishop, knight and rook share a single foot, so three of the six pieces stand on exactly the same footprint.
The result is a board where the back rank reads as substantial across its whole width and the rook and pawn sit clearly beneath it. That is a different balance from a Staunton that tapers steadily outwards.
Be clear about the choice you are making. This is a light set, and if you like the deliberate thump of a heavy piece landing, the weighted version of the same pattern is the one to buy.
Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what causes hardwood to check, dust with a dry soft cloth and nothing else, and skip oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners entirely.
What you get here is the Dubrovnik as the originals were made. Unweighted at the base, and stable because of the fat chunky bases, with nothing added inside.
It also suits a particular kind of player. A light set moves fast and does not tire the hand over a long session, which is the whole appeal if that is how you like to play.
Be honest with yourself about the weight. You will notice it on the first move if you are used to a heavy army, and you may not like it. If that is you, our luxury chess pieces are where to look instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55mm to 60mm, and 60mm is the better of the two. This pattern's broad bases are meant to be seen, so the larger square suits it, and at the tighter end the feet across the middle of the rank almost meet.
No ballast is added at the base. The complete 34 pieces weigh 675 grams, well under what the same pattern carries when it is weighted. The originals from the fifties and sixties were made this way.
Yes, from the geometry. The bases are wide for the heights above them, which is why a Dubrovnik looks planted with nothing added inside. It will not, however, hold a position against a knocked table the way a heavy set does.
This one if you want what the original was, or if you prefer a light set you can move quickly. The weighted version if you play in a busy room. It is a genuine preference either way.
The Dubrovnik is the pattern he named as the one he most liked to play on, and he was photographed and filmed analysing with a set of this shape. That is his stated preference, and it is reported here as one.
34 chess pieces, two more than a game uses. No board is included, so it is chosen separately and should match the square size in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
97mm high (3.8 inch), 44mm base |
|
Queen |
85mm high (3.3 inch), 42mm base |
|
Bishop |
75mm high (3.0 inch), 39mm base |
|
Knight |
70mm high (2.8 inch), 39mm base |
|
Rook |
56mm high (2.2 inch), 39mm base |
|
Pawn |
49mm high (1.9 inch), 33mm base |
|
Material |
Mahogany Stained / Boxwood |
|
Dark pieces |
Mahogany Stained |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Unweighted at the base |
|
Total weight |
675 grams (1.5 lbs) |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in mahogany stained 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.
