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Look at the base before anything else. A 36mm foot under a 104mm king is extraordinarily narrow by modern standards, where the same height would normally sit on 42mm or more. That single proportion is what places this pattern before the Staunton design of 1849, when English sets were turned tall and slim and stability was somebody else's problem.
The rest follows from it. The bishop and knight both stand 76mm, so the officer rank is dead level. The pawns drop right back to 43mm, further below the rooks than any modern set would allow. It looks nothing like a tournament set, because it is not trying to.
Ebonised boxwood on the dark side, antiqued boxwood on the light, weighted and felted. It sits in our chess pieces collection.
The honest comparison is that it is a different object with a different purpose. A modern Staunton set is designed to be read instantly and knocked about safely: wide bases, a clear step from rook to pawn, high contrast between the sides. This one gives up all three.
What it offers instead is the look of an English set from before the pattern was standardised. Tall, narrow, understated, with the light side toned down rather than left bright so the whole board sits in a muted register. Next to anything in our Staunton chess pieces range it reads as considerably older, which is the point.
Practically, it also weighs a good deal less. Eight hundred and fifty grams across 34 pieces is light for a 104mm set, and that follows directly from how little timber is in the narrow bases.
The light pieces are not left as bright boxwood. They are toned to a deeper cream and gently distressed, so the surface carries a slightly uneven, handled look rather than a factory finish. It is a deliberate treatment applied to new timber, not genuine age.
The effect is that contrast between the two sides is moderate rather than sharp. In good light the position reads clearly; under low lamplight it reads softer than a bright boxwood set would. If you want two sides that separate instantly across a dim room, this is the wrong choice, and that is worth being plain about.
Narrow bases are the trade you make for the antique silhouette. These pieces are weighted, and the iron stud does most of the work of keeping them upright, but a 104mm piece on a 36mm foot is inherently less settled than a modern one and will not forgive a knocked table the way a wide based set does.
The upside is on the board. Narrow bases mean the back rank never crowds, even on 45mm squares, and the position stays legible where a modern set of the same height would need 55mm to breathe. It is one of the few genuinely practical advantages of the older proportions.
Anything from 45mm to 55mm squares works, which is a wider window than most sets allow and comes straight from those narrow bases. On 45mm the board looks properly period; on 55mm the pieces have more air around them.
This suits someone who wants a set that looks like it has a history, and who is happy to trade contrast and stability for that. No board is included with the pieces. Square sizes are listed on every board in our chess boards collection.
I like this set for what it is and I would not sell it as something it is not. The proportions are the whole appeal: a 104mm king on a 36mm base is a shape you simply cannot get from a modern pattern, and combined with the toned boxwood it gives you a board that looks a century older than it is. The costs are real. Contrast is moderate rather than sharp, the narrow bases are less stable than any modern set, and at 850g the pieces are light in the hand. None of that matters if you want the period look and you play in decent light on a table nobody bumps. All of it matters if you want a set for fast games on a crowded club night, in which case buy a wide based tournament pattern instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Anything from 45mm to 55mm squares. The narrow 36mm base gives a wider window than most sets, so 45mm looks properly period and 55mm gives the pieces more air.
No. They are newly made pieces in an antique style. The dark side is ebonised boxwood and the light side is boxwood that has been toned and lightly distressed to look aged.
It reproduces English proportions from before the Staunton pattern was standardised in 1849, when sets were turned tall and slim. It keeps the back rank uncrowded but is less stable than a modern wide base.
Yes, with an iron stud in each base under thick green felt. The full set is around 850g, which is light for a 104mm set because the narrow bases hold less material.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
104mm (4.1 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch) |
|
Queen height |
91mm (3.6 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
76mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
76mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Rook height |
55mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
43mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
30mm (1.2 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
850g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
45mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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.
Look at the base before anything else. A 36mm foot under a 104mm king is extraordinarily narrow by modern standards, where the same height would normally sit on 42mm or more. That single proportion is what places this pattern before the Staunton design of 1849, when English sets were turned tall and slim and stability was somebody else's problem.
The rest follows from it. The bishop and knight both stand 76mm, so the officer rank is dead level. The pawns drop right back to 43mm, further below the rooks than any modern set would allow. It looks nothing like a tournament set, because it is not trying to.
Ebonised boxwood on the dark side, antiqued boxwood on the light, weighted and felted. It sits in our chess pieces collection.
The honest comparison is that it is a different object with a different purpose. A modern Staunton set is designed to be read instantly and knocked about safely: wide bases, a clear step from rook to pawn, high contrast between the sides. This one gives up all three.
What it offers instead is the look of an English set from before the pattern was standardised. Tall, narrow, understated, with the light side toned down rather than left bright so the whole board sits in a muted register. Next to anything in our Staunton chess pieces range it reads as considerably older, which is the point.
Practically, it also weighs a good deal less. Eight hundred and fifty grams across 34 pieces is light for a 104mm set, and that follows directly from how little timber is in the narrow bases.
The light pieces are not left as bright boxwood. They are toned to a deeper cream and gently distressed, so the surface carries a slightly uneven, handled look rather than a factory finish. It is a deliberate treatment applied to new timber, not genuine age.
The effect is that contrast between the two sides is moderate rather than sharp. In good light the position reads clearly; under low lamplight it reads softer than a bright boxwood set would. If you want two sides that separate instantly across a dim room, this is the wrong choice, and that is worth being plain about.
Narrow bases are the trade you make for the antique silhouette. These pieces are weighted, and the iron stud does most of the work of keeping them upright, but a 104mm piece on a 36mm foot is inherently less settled than a modern one and will not forgive a knocked table the way a wide based set does.
The upside is on the board. Narrow bases mean the back rank never crowds, even on 45mm squares, and the position stays legible where a modern set of the same height would need 55mm to breathe. It is one of the few genuinely practical advantages of the older proportions.
Anything from 45mm to 55mm squares works, which is a wider window than most sets allow and comes straight from those narrow bases. On 45mm the board looks properly period; on 55mm the pieces have more air around them.
This suits someone who wants a set that looks like it has a history, and who is happy to trade contrast and stability for that. No board is included with the pieces. Square sizes are listed on every board in our chess boards collection.
I like this set for what it is and I would not sell it as something it is not. The proportions are the whole appeal: a 104mm king on a 36mm base is a shape you simply cannot get from a modern pattern, and combined with the toned boxwood it gives you a board that looks a century older than it is. The costs are real. Contrast is moderate rather than sharp, the narrow bases are less stable than any modern set, and at 850g the pieces are light in the hand. None of that matters if you want the period look and you play in decent light on a table nobody bumps. All of it matters if you want a set for fast games on a crowded club night, in which case buy a wide based tournament pattern instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Anything from 45mm to 55mm squares. The narrow 36mm base gives a wider window than most sets, so 45mm looks properly period and 55mm gives the pieces more air.
No. They are newly made pieces in an antique style. The dark side is ebonised boxwood and the light side is boxwood that has been toned and lightly distressed to look aged.
It reproduces English proportions from before the Staunton pattern was standardised in 1849, when sets were turned tall and slim. It keeps the back rank uncrowded but is less stable than a modern wide base.
Yes, with an iron stud in each base under thick green felt. The full set is around 850g, which is light for a 104mm set because the narrow bases hold less material.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
104mm (4.1 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch) |
|
Queen height |
91mm (3.6 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
76mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
76mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Rook height |
55mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
43mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
30mm (1.2 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
850g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
45mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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.
