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1970s' Dubrovnik 97mm Chess Pieces

1970s' Dubrovnik 97mm Chess Pieces

by Sterling Chess
$469.00

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Description

1970s' Dubrovnik 97mm Chess Pieces

The Dubrovnik was revised after the success of the 1950s set, and this is the army that came out of those revisions. It is sold here in four dark timbers, each of them set against a boxwood light side, with a 97mm king.

The changes were made for playability. The knight was reshaped, the rook was widened, and the bases of every piece were made chunkier and fatter, which is the detail that gives this set its planted look on a board.

The design was reconstructed from photographs of antique original versions of the set, so the proportions come from the real thing. Bobby Fischer is quoted as preferring it, which is the sort of endorsement a pattern does not shake off.

The pieces are double weighted, and that is obvious the moment you pick one up. Set them up and the whole back rank feels anchored, even when somebody leans on the table halfway through a game.

You will find it in our reproduction chess pieces.

 1970s' Dubrovnik chessmen in bud rosewood and boxwood

Key features

  • A 97mm king, double weighted, which puts this army squarely at club and tournament playing scale
  • Four dark timbers to choose from: bud rosewood, ebony, rosewood or golden rosewood, each against boxwood
  • A reshaped horse and a wider rook came in with the revisions, both of them changes for playability
  • Chunky, wide bases on every piece, which is the detail that makes this Dubrovnik sit so firmly on a board
  • 1,520 grams across the set, which you feel as steadiness the moment you lift a piece
  • The proportions come from antique originals, with photographs of several of them used to rebuild the pattern
  • Heights, bases and weight are identical in all four timbers, so the only decision left is colour
  • 34 chess pieces in the box, with no board and no storage box, so both are bought separately

About the pieces

Weight is the first thing to register. Double weighting at this height gives every piece a low, settled feel, so a knight put down firmly stays put instead of skating off across the square.

The bases are the signature of this version. They are chunky and wide, deliberately so, and the king stands on the broadest foot in the set, which is what makes the back rank look so substantial.

The knight is the piece the revision was aimed at, and it is the one worth looking at closely before you buy. The rook was widened at the same time, so the corners of the board have some bulk to them too.

The honest note is about board space. Those wide bases take up room, so at the tight end of the range the back rank closes up and lifting one piece cleanly takes a little more care.

These pieces suit boards with squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the wide end is the one to aim for. The set sits happily at the tight end as well, but a wider square gives the back rank more air around it.

 Ebony wood and boxwood 1970s' Dubrovnik chessmen

Choosing between the four timbers

Bud rosewood is a mid brown. Against the boxwood the contrast is strong without ever being harsh, so the two armies stay clearly apart while the dark side never reads as black.

Ebony is the darkest and the most formal. It is a naturally dark timber, so close up there is still grain to read on the dark army instead of a flat black.

Rosewood is deeper and redder. From across the room the dark side reads as one solid colour, which makes it the tidiest of the four to look at in play.

Golden rosewood is the lightest of the dark timbers, a honey brown. The contrast against the boxwood is the gentlest of the four, and it suits a room that already has warm wood in it.

If you cannot decide, let the room decide. Ebony and rosewood read cleanly in bright daylight, while bud rosewood and golden rosewood are happier under lamps.

Settle the board before you order, either way. Measure the squares on the board you already own, because a board that comes up short cannot be fixed afterwards, and budget for a new one if the numbers do not work.

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 feet are what sell this set to me.

Wide feet and real mass are what make a set feel like it is meant to be played with, and this Dubrovnik has both. The knight and the rook get the attention, but it is the bases you notice after an hour.

Be clear about what you are getting. This is the chessmen alone, it is heavy, and it wants a generous board under it. If your board is on the small side, our tournament chess pieces are the better place to look.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Rosewood and boxwood 1970s' Dubrovnik chessmen

Frequently asked questions
What square size do these pieces need?

Squares of 55mm to 60mm. The wider end is the better choice, because the bases on this pattern are broad and the extra room keeps the back rank from looking crowded.

Is there any difference between the four timbers?

Only in colour. The heights, the bases, the weight and the square window are the same in all four, so choosing between them is a matter of looks and nothing more.

How heavy is the set?

1,520 grams for the full set. It is double weighted, so pieces come down with some authority and stay where they land.

What changed when the pattern was revised?

Three things. The horse got a new shape, the rook came out wider, and every base in the army was thickened. All of it was aimed at making the set better to play with.

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. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are separate purchases; match a board to the square window in the specifications below.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

97mm high (3.8 inch), 44mm base

Queen

85mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base

Bishop

75mm high (3.0 inch), 37mm base

Knight

70mm high (2.8 inch), 37mm base

Rook

56mm high (2.2 inch), 37mm base

Pawn

50mm high (2.0 inch), 33mm base

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebony option

Ebony wood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, all timbers

97mm

Weighting

Double weighted

Recommended square size

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

Total weight of pieces

1,520 grams (3.4 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

1970s' Dubrovnik 97mm Chess Pieces

The Dubrovnik was revised after the success of the 1950s set, and this is the army that came out of those revisions. It is sold here in four dark timbers, each of them set against a boxwood light side, with a 97mm king.

The changes were made for playability. The knight was reshaped, the rook was widened, and the bases of every piece were made chunkier and fatter, which is the detail that gives this set its planted look on a board.

The design was reconstructed from photographs of antique original versions of the set, so the proportions come from the real thing. Bobby Fischer is quoted as preferring it, which is the sort of endorsement a pattern does not shake off.

The pieces are double weighted, and that is obvious the moment you pick one up. Set them up and the whole back rank feels anchored, even when somebody leans on the table halfway through a game.

You will find it in our reproduction chess pieces.

 1970s' Dubrovnik chessmen in bud rosewood and boxwood

Key features

  • A 97mm king, double weighted, which puts this army squarely at club and tournament playing scale
  • Four dark timbers to choose from: bud rosewood, ebony, rosewood or golden rosewood, each against boxwood
  • A reshaped horse and a wider rook came in with the revisions, both of them changes for playability
  • Chunky, wide bases on every piece, which is the detail that makes this Dubrovnik sit so firmly on a board
  • 1,520 grams across the set, which you feel as steadiness the moment you lift a piece
  • The proportions come from antique originals, with photographs of several of them used to rebuild the pattern
  • Heights, bases and weight are identical in all four timbers, so the only decision left is colour
  • 34 chess pieces in the box, with no board and no storage box, so both are bought separately

About the pieces

Weight is the first thing to register. Double weighting at this height gives every piece a low, settled feel, so a knight put down firmly stays put instead of skating off across the square.

The bases are the signature of this version. They are chunky and wide, deliberately so, and the king stands on the broadest foot in the set, which is what makes the back rank look so substantial.

The knight is the piece the revision was aimed at, and it is the one worth looking at closely before you buy. The rook was widened at the same time, so the corners of the board have some bulk to them too.

The honest note is about board space. Those wide bases take up room, so at the tight end of the range the back rank closes up and lifting one piece cleanly takes a little more care.

These pieces suit boards with squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the wide end is the one to aim for. The set sits happily at the tight end as well, but a wider square gives the back rank more air around it.

 Ebony wood and boxwood 1970s' Dubrovnik chessmen

Choosing between the four timbers

Bud rosewood is a mid brown. Against the boxwood the contrast is strong without ever being harsh, so the two armies stay clearly apart while the dark side never reads as black.

Ebony is the darkest and the most formal. It is a naturally dark timber, so close up there is still grain to read on the dark army instead of a flat black.

Rosewood is deeper and redder. From across the room the dark side reads as one solid colour, which makes it the tidiest of the four to look at in play.

Golden rosewood is the lightest of the dark timbers, a honey brown. The contrast against the boxwood is the gentlest of the four, and it suits a room that already has warm wood in it.

If you cannot decide, let the room decide. Ebony and rosewood read cleanly in bright daylight, while bud rosewood and golden rosewood are happier under lamps.

Settle the board before you order, either way. Measure the squares on the board you already own, because a board that comes up short cannot be fixed afterwards, and budget for a new one if the numbers do not work.

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 feet are what sell this set to me.

Wide feet and real mass are what make a set feel like it is meant to be played with, and this Dubrovnik has both. The knight and the rook get the attention, but it is the bases you notice after an hour.

Be clear about what you are getting. This is the chessmen alone, it is heavy, and it wants a generous board under it. If your board is on the small side, our tournament chess pieces are the better place to look.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Rosewood and boxwood 1970s' Dubrovnik chessmen

Frequently asked questions
What square size do these pieces need?

Squares of 55mm to 60mm. The wider end is the better choice, because the bases on this pattern are broad and the extra room keeps the back rank from looking crowded.

Is there any difference between the four timbers?

Only in colour. The heights, the bases, the weight and the square window are the same in all four, so choosing between them is a matter of looks and nothing more.

How heavy is the set?

1,520 grams for the full set. It is double weighted, so pieces come down with some authority and stay where they land.

What changed when the pattern was revised?

Three things. The horse got a new shape, the rook came out wider, and every base in the army was thickened. All of it was aimed at making the set better to play with.

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. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are separate purchases; match a board to the square window in the specifications below.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

97mm high (3.8 inch), 44mm base

Queen

85mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base

Bishop

75mm high (3.0 inch), 37mm base

Knight

70mm high (2.8 inch), 37mm base

Rook

56mm high (2.2 inch), 37mm base

Pawn

50mm high (2.0 inch), 33mm base

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebony option

Ebony wood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, all timbers

97mm

Weighting

Double weighted

Recommended square size

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

Total weight of pieces

1,520 grams (3.4 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.