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1950s' Soviet Latvian Reproduced 102mm Chess Pieces

$419.00

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Description

1950s' Soviet Latvian Reproduced 102mm Chess Pieces

These pieces are modelled after one of the favourite Latvian designs of the Soviet grandmaster Mikhail Tal, and the silhouette is the reason to want them.

The design is slender, with wide bases and sleek tops running consistently through the king, the queen and the bishop. It is not the traditional Staunton outline and it does not pretend to be.

The knights are the outlier. They are unusually large for the army, and the mane runs down one side of the head only, so the horse shows a very different face from one side than from the other.

It is one of the well known designs of the Soviet era, and it became far more widely recognised again after it appeared in the television series The Queen's Gambit.

Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.

1950s Soviet Latvian reproduced chessmen lined up

Key features

  • A 102mm king, double weighted, on a Latvian design that was a favourite of Mikhail Tal
  • A slender body on a wide foot, with the three tallest pieces all drawn to one shape
  • Knights drawn large for the army, with a mane on one side of the head and none on the other
  • Not the traditional Staunton outline, so this army is recognisable from right across a room
  • 1,140 grams across the set, and the double weighting is what you feel when a piece lands
  • A Soviet era design whose following grew sharply once The Queen's Gambit put it on screen
  • Both options share heights, bases and the same square window, so the only difference is colour
  • 34 chess pieces supplied; the board and the storage box are not included and are bought separately

About the pieces

The silhouette does the work here. A wide foot, a slim waist and a sleek top, repeated closely enough across the tallest three pieces that they read as one family.

The knight breaks that on purpose. It is large, it has more character in it than anything else in the army, and the single sided mane means it presents a different profile depending on which way it faces.

The pieces are double weighted, so each one lands with a proper thump and then stays where it was put, which is reassuring on a design cut this slim.

Two honest notes. The pawns sit low against a tall back rank, so the array has a pronounced step in it, and because this is not a Staunton outline it takes a game or two before the pieces read instantly.

These pieces suit larger boards, with squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the upper end is the one to aim for. The bases are wide for the height, so at the tight end the back rank closes up and the design loses its air.

Ebonised boxwood Soviet Latvian chessmen, 102mm king

Choosing between the two timbers

Golden rosewood against boxwood is the warmer of the two. The dark army is a honey brown, the light army is pale boxwood, and the pairing suits a room lit by lamps.

Ebonised boxwood against boxwood is the sharper choice. The dark side is brought to a near black, which pushes the contrast as far as it will go and makes the outlines read from a distance.

On a design like this the second option has a real argument behind it. The shapes are slim and unusual, and a hard black against a pale timber is what shows them off most clearly.

Either way the set is the same underneath. Heights, bases, weight and the square window all match, so nothing about the choice changes how the pieces behave in a game.

Measure your board before you order. Compare what you already have against the window in the specifications, and be ready to buy a board if the squares come up short.

Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.

Our expert take

The knight is what sells this one, and the rest of the army earns its keep.

A slim body on a wide foot is a good combination to play with, and the one sided mane gives the horse real personality. It is double weighted too, so it behaves properly as well as looking the part.

Be clear about what arrives. These are the chessmen alone, with no board and no box, and the outline is deliberately not Staunton. Anyone who wants the standard shapes should start in our staunton chess pieces instead.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

Golden rosewood Soviet Latvian chessmen

Frequently asked questions

What square size do these pieces need?

Squares of 55mm to 60mm. The upper end is the safer pick, because this is a broad footed army on a slim body, and a tight square closes the back rank up and hides the shapes.

Is this a Staunton set?

No, and it does not try to be. The proportions are a deliberate departure from the traditional Staunton design, which is most of the appeal; if your eye is trained on Staunton shapes, expect a game or two of adjustment.

Are the pieces weighted?

Yes, they are double weighted. The full set comes to 1,140 grams, and each piece settles firmly rather than skating about when the board gets knocked.

What is unusual about the knights?

Their size, and the mane. The horse is large for this army, and because the mane is on one side only it reads as two quite different pieces depending on where you sit.

How many pieces are supplied?

34 chess pieces. What is in the box is listed in full below.

Is a board or a storage box included?

No, neither is included. The listing is the chessmen only, so both are separate purchases; use the square window in the specifications below to match a board.

Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

102mm high (4.0 inch), 44mm base

Queen

84mm high (3.3 inch), 41mm base

Bishop

76mm high (3.0 inch), 38mm base

Knight

68mm high (2.7 inch), 37mm base

Rook

58mm high (2.3 inch), 38mm base

Pawn

46mm high (1.8 inch), 33mm base

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebonised option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, both options

102mm

Weighting

Double weighted

Recommended square size

55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch)

Total weight of pieces

1,140 grams (2.5 lbs)

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included

What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.

Description

1950s' Soviet Latvian Reproduced 102mm Chess Pieces

These pieces are modelled after one of the favourite Latvian designs of the Soviet grandmaster Mikhail Tal, and the silhouette is the reason to want them.

The design is slender, with wide bases and sleek tops running consistently through the king, the queen and the bishop. It is not the traditional Staunton outline and it does not pretend to be.

The knights are the outlier. They are unusually large for the army, and the mane runs down one side of the head only, so the horse shows a very different face from one side than from the other.

It is one of the well known designs of the Soviet era, and it became far more widely recognised again after it appeared in the television series The Queen's Gambit.

Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.

1950s Soviet Latvian reproduced chessmen lined up

Key features

  • A 102mm king, double weighted, on a Latvian design that was a favourite of Mikhail Tal
  • A slender body on a wide foot, with the three tallest pieces all drawn to one shape
  • Knights drawn large for the army, with a mane on one side of the head and none on the other
  • Not the traditional Staunton outline, so this army is recognisable from right across a room
  • 1,140 grams across the set, and the double weighting is what you feel when a piece lands
  • A Soviet era design whose following grew sharply once The Queen's Gambit put it on screen
  • Both options share heights, bases and the same square window, so the only difference is colour
  • 34 chess pieces supplied; the board and the storage box are not included and are bought separately

About the pieces

The silhouette does the work here. A wide foot, a slim waist and a sleek top, repeated closely enough across the tallest three pieces that they read as one family.

The knight breaks that on purpose. It is large, it has more character in it than anything else in the army, and the single sided mane means it presents a different profile depending on which way it faces.

The pieces are double weighted, so each one lands with a proper thump and then stays where it was put, which is reassuring on a design cut this slim.

Two honest notes. The pawns sit low against a tall back rank, so the array has a pronounced step in it, and because this is not a Staunton outline it takes a game or two before the pieces read instantly.

These pieces suit larger boards, with squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the upper end is the one to aim for. The bases are wide for the height, so at the tight end the back rank closes up and the design loses its air.

Ebonised boxwood Soviet Latvian chessmen, 102mm king

Choosing between the two timbers

Golden rosewood against boxwood is the warmer of the two. The dark army is a honey brown, the light army is pale boxwood, and the pairing suits a room lit by lamps.

Ebonised boxwood against boxwood is the sharper choice. The dark side is brought to a near black, which pushes the contrast as far as it will go and makes the outlines read from a distance.

On a design like this the second option has a real argument behind it. The shapes are slim and unusual, and a hard black against a pale timber is what shows them off most clearly.

Either way the set is the same underneath. Heights, bases, weight and the square window all match, so nothing about the choice changes how the pieces behave in a game.

Measure your board before you order. Compare what you already have against the window in the specifications, and be ready to buy a board if the squares come up short.

Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.

Our expert take

The knight is what sells this one, and the rest of the army earns its keep.

A slim body on a wide foot is a good combination to play with, and the one sided mane gives the horse real personality. It is double weighted too, so it behaves properly as well as looking the part.

Be clear about what arrives. These are the chessmen alone, with no board and no box, and the outline is deliberately not Staunton. Anyone who wants the standard shapes should start in our staunton chess pieces instead.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

Golden rosewood Soviet Latvian chessmen

Frequently asked questions

What square size do these pieces need?

Squares of 55mm to 60mm. The upper end is the safer pick, because this is a broad footed army on a slim body, and a tight square closes the back rank up and hides the shapes.

Is this a Staunton set?

No, and it does not try to be. The proportions are a deliberate departure from the traditional Staunton design, which is most of the appeal; if your eye is trained on Staunton shapes, expect a game or two of adjustment.

Are the pieces weighted?

Yes, they are double weighted. The full set comes to 1,140 grams, and each piece settles firmly rather than skating about when the board gets knocked.

What is unusual about the knights?

Their size, and the mane. The horse is large for this army, and because the mane is on one side only it reads as two quite different pieces depending on where you sit.

How many pieces are supplied?

34 chess pieces. What is in the box is listed in full below.

Is a board or a storage box included?

No, neither is included. The listing is the chessmen only, so both are separate purchases; use the square window in the specifications below to match a board.

Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

102mm high (4.0 inch), 44mm base

Queen

84mm high (3.3 inch), 41mm base

Bishop

76mm high (3.0 inch), 38mm base

Knight

68mm high (2.7 inch), 37mm base

Rook

58mm high (2.3 inch), 38mm base

Pawn

46mm high (1.8 inch), 33mm base

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebonised option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, both options

102mm

Weighting

Double weighted

Recommended square size

55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch)

Total weight of pieces

1,140 grams (2.5 lbs)

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included

What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.