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The Alexandria takes its cue from the Greek army of Alexander the Great, and the carving is where the whole set lives.
Floral work is cut into every piece, light and dark alike, and the knight is given a full mane and a long, well postured snout.
The colour comes from fire rather than from stain. Both armies are worked with a fire gun and the dark side is taken much further, and a lacquer coat over the top leaves a polished, glossy surface.
The proportions are generous. The king stands 111mm, the pieces are triple weighted, and the complete 34 come to 2,000 grams.
It sits with our luxury chess pieces.
A conventional Staunton army is defined by what it leaves off: clean turned shapes, one piece given real hand time, and a surface that does not ask for attention. The Alexandria is drawn from the opposite direction.
If your instinct is that a chess set should disappear under the game, this is not that set and does not pretend to be. It is built to be looked at as much as played with.
The knight is the piece the set is judged on and it has been given the time. The mane is cut in and the head is carried forward, so it reads at seated distance instead of flattening into a silhouette.
The other unusual thing is at the bottom of the army. The pawn stands almost as tall as the rook, so a front rank of eight tall pawns gives the opening position far more presence than a conventional set does.
This one needs a large board, with squares of 57mm to 65mm, and 65mm is the size to aim for. At 57mm the opening ranks stand shoulder to shoulder and the board looks full; below that the army crowds badly, so check the square before ordering.
There are two usual ways to get a dark army: a naturally dark timber, or a pale one stained to imitate one. This set does neither.
Both armies are boxwood worked with a fire gun, with the dark side taken much further than the light, so the colour is scorched into the wood and follows the grain as it goes.
The result is a dark side that keeps depth and variation instead of reading as a flat block of colour, and a light side that has been through the same process.
The lacquer coat that follows locks that surface in. Both armies are finished the same way and behave the same way in the hand, and under a lamp the board has a lot of life in it, with highlights running along every cut edge.
Gloss has a trade worth naming. A polished surface shows fingerprints and dust more readily than a matte one, so a set that lives out on a table will want a wipe more often than a satin finished army would.
That is the trade for the depth and the reflectivity. It is a fair one on a set drawn to be looked at, but it is better known before the parcel arrives than after.
That finish wants a little more care than usual. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, both because turned hardwood checks and because lacquer does not enjoy heat. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and keep oil, polish and solvents away entirely.
This is a showpiece and it is unapologetic about it. Burning the surface gives a contrast a stain does not, because the colour follows the grain instead of covering it.
It still plays like a serious set rather than an ornament. Triple weighted, on a king this tall, the pieces land, stop and stay exactly where they were put.
Two things to weigh up. The gloss will show fingerprints, so this one is happier on a table it lives on than in a bag. And if you want a plain matte army for weekly club use, look through our tournament chess pieces instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
57mm to 65mm, and 65mm is the more comfortable of the two. The window is set by the king base, and the tall pawns mean the opening two ranks take up more room than the king height alone suggests.
Yes, they are triple weighted, and the complete 34 pieces come to 2,000 grams. In play that means pieces are picked up with the whole hand and placed deliberately, and a knock to the table does not scatter the position.
Both armies are boxwood whose surface has been worked with a fire gun, with the dark side taken much further than the light. The colour is scorched into the wood and follows its grain, so the figure stays visible.
Both armies are lacquered, which gives a polished, glossy surface with highlights running along the carved edges. The trade is that gloss shows fingerprints and dust more readily than a matte finish, so keep a dry soft cloth near the set.
It is how the pattern is drawn, and the front rank has far more presence than on a conventional Staunton set as a result. It takes a game or two to adjust to, because the eye expects a clear step down from the rook.
34 chess pieces, which includes a spare queen of each colour for promotions. No board is included, so it is chosen separately and should match the square size in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
111mm high (4.4 inch), 49mm base |
|
Queen |
93mm high (3.7 inch), 45mm base |
|
Bishop |
83mm high (3.3 inch), 43mm base |
|
Knight |
79mm high (3.1 inch), 41mm base |
|
Rook |
66mm high (2.6 inch), 42mm base |
|
Pawn |
64mm high (2.5 inch), 38mm base |
|
Material |
Lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Dark chess pieces |
Black lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Light chess pieces |
White lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Triple weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
57mm to 65mm (2.25 inch to 2.56 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
2,000 grams (4.4 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34, including a spare queen of each colour |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in black and white lacquered burnt boxwood
A spare queen of each colour, included in the 34
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 Alexandria takes its cue from the Greek army of Alexander the Great, and the carving is where the whole set lives.
Floral work is cut into every piece, light and dark alike, and the knight is given a full mane and a long, well postured snout.
The colour comes from fire rather than from stain. Both armies are worked with a fire gun and the dark side is taken much further, and a lacquer coat over the top leaves a polished, glossy surface.
The proportions are generous. The king stands 111mm, the pieces are triple weighted, and the complete 34 come to 2,000 grams.
It sits with our luxury chess pieces.
A conventional Staunton army is defined by what it leaves off: clean turned shapes, one piece given real hand time, and a surface that does not ask for attention. The Alexandria is drawn from the opposite direction.
If your instinct is that a chess set should disappear under the game, this is not that set and does not pretend to be. It is built to be looked at as much as played with.
The knight is the piece the set is judged on and it has been given the time. The mane is cut in and the head is carried forward, so it reads at seated distance instead of flattening into a silhouette.
The other unusual thing is at the bottom of the army. The pawn stands almost as tall as the rook, so a front rank of eight tall pawns gives the opening position far more presence than a conventional set does.
This one needs a large board, with squares of 57mm to 65mm, and 65mm is the size to aim for. At 57mm the opening ranks stand shoulder to shoulder and the board looks full; below that the army crowds badly, so check the square before ordering.
There are two usual ways to get a dark army: a naturally dark timber, or a pale one stained to imitate one. This set does neither.
Both armies are boxwood worked with a fire gun, with the dark side taken much further than the light, so the colour is scorched into the wood and follows the grain as it goes.
The result is a dark side that keeps depth and variation instead of reading as a flat block of colour, and a light side that has been through the same process.
The lacquer coat that follows locks that surface in. Both armies are finished the same way and behave the same way in the hand, and under a lamp the board has a lot of life in it, with highlights running along every cut edge.
Gloss has a trade worth naming. A polished surface shows fingerprints and dust more readily than a matte one, so a set that lives out on a table will want a wipe more often than a satin finished army would.
That is the trade for the depth and the reflectivity. It is a fair one on a set drawn to be looked at, but it is better known before the parcel arrives than after.
That finish wants a little more care than usual. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, both because turned hardwood checks and because lacquer does not enjoy heat. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and keep oil, polish and solvents away entirely.
This is a showpiece and it is unapologetic about it. Burning the surface gives a contrast a stain does not, because the colour follows the grain instead of covering it.
It still plays like a serious set rather than an ornament. Triple weighted, on a king this tall, the pieces land, stop and stay exactly where they were put.
Two things to weigh up. The gloss will show fingerprints, so this one is happier on a table it lives on than in a bag. And if you want a plain matte army for weekly club use, look through our tournament chess pieces instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
57mm to 65mm, and 65mm is the more comfortable of the two. The window is set by the king base, and the tall pawns mean the opening two ranks take up more room than the king height alone suggests.
Yes, they are triple weighted, and the complete 34 pieces come to 2,000 grams. In play that means pieces are picked up with the whole hand and placed deliberately, and a knock to the table does not scatter the position.
Both armies are boxwood whose surface has been worked with a fire gun, with the dark side taken much further than the light. The colour is scorched into the wood and follows its grain, so the figure stays visible.
Both armies are lacquered, which gives a polished, glossy surface with highlights running along the carved edges. The trade is that gloss shows fingerprints and dust more readily than a matte finish, so keep a dry soft cloth near the set.
It is how the pattern is drawn, and the front rank has far more presence than on a conventional Staunton set as a result. It takes a game or two to adjust to, because the eye expects a clear step down from the rook.
34 chess pieces, which includes a spare queen of each colour for promotions. No board is included, so it is chosen separately and should match the square size in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
111mm high (4.4 inch), 49mm base |
|
Queen |
93mm high (3.7 inch), 45mm base |
|
Bishop |
83mm high (3.3 inch), 43mm base |
|
Knight |
79mm high (3.1 inch), 41mm base |
|
Rook |
66mm high (2.6 inch), 42mm base |
|
Pawn |
64mm high (2.5 inch), 38mm base |
|
Material |
Lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Dark chess pieces |
Black lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Light chess pieces |
White lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Triple weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
57mm to 65mm (2.25 inch to 2.56 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
2,000 grams (4.4 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34, including a spare queen of each colour |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in black and white lacquered burnt boxwood
A spare queen of each colour, included in the 34
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.
