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Coffee house chess was played in Vienna in rooms full of noise and cigarette smoke, on tables that were never big enough. The pattern that came out of it is unlike an English Staunton: the king is tall, the rook is deliberately squat, and the whole set reads at a glance from across a crowded table.
This is the version two reproduction, at 98mm with a 42mm base, in ebonised boxwood against antiqued boxwood. The antiquing is the point on the light side, giving a warm aged cream rather than bright white, which is what a hundred year old Viennese set actually looks like.
It comes with a 55cm board in black dyed poplar and olive. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The Old Vienna V2.0 pieces are listed separately without a board. If you already own a 55mm board that is the cheaper route, and it is the same carving.
There is also an Old Vienna at 107mm on our pieces pages. Same family name, noticeably different object, and the nine millimetre gap shows more than the number suggests because the coffee house proportions exaggerate height.
The board here is the unusual part. Olive on the light squares instead of the usual maple gives a greenish gold figure with more movement in it, and against black dyed poplar the contrast stays high without going stark. Other options sit across our chess boards collection.
Two things. The first is the rook, cut short and wide so it sits below everything else on the back rank. On an English Staunton the rook comes up to roughly the bishop's shoulder; here it stops at barely half the king's height. That gives the back rank a stepped silhouette you can read without looking directly at it.
The second is the king to pawn ratio. A 98mm king over a 46mm pawn is a wide spread, and it means the pawn structure reads as a low field with the officers standing clear above it. Both features exist for the same reason: cafe chess was played fast, often with an audience leaning in, and the position had to be legible at speed.
Antiquing is a finish applied to boxwood to take the newness out of it. The timber is treated so the surface reads as aged cream rather than bright white, and the turning lines pick up a little more shadow than they would on a raw set.
It matters more on a reproduction than on a modern pattern. A bright white light side next to a black dark side looks like a set made last year, which defeats the purpose of reproducing a historic design. Against the black dyed poplar of the supplied board, the aged cream also cuts glare in a way plain boxwood under a lamp does not.
A 42mm king base wants 55mm squares, which is exactly what is supplied. That leaves room for the 36mm officer bases to sit clear of each other through the middlegame, and it suits the wide spread of this pattern.
The board is 55cm across, 13mm thick and 2,900g, in black dyed poplar and olive with a matte finish. It is a veneer construction, so the weight of the purchase is in the pieces. Thirty four pieces including two spare queens. No storage box. Alternatives sit across our chess boards collection and the pattern is also listed among our Staunton chess pieces.
The olive board is what makes this listing worth a look. Almost every board at this price pairs a dark timber with maple, and olive instead gives a greenish gold light square with real figure in it, warmer under a lamp and much less clinical than white. Paired with an antiqued light side on the pieces, the whole thing reads as an old object rather than a new one, which is the entire point of buying a reproduction. Two honest notes. The board is veneer at 13mm, so it is a playing surface rather than furniture, and the coffee house proportions are a genuine taste question: the short rook looks wrong to people raised on English Staunton sets. Sit with a photograph before you buy. If it looks right to you, it will keep looking right.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55cm x 55cm with 55mm squares, 13mm thick and around 2,900g, in black dyed poplar and olive with a matte finish.
Olive carries more figure and a greenish gold tone rather than the pale cream of maple. It is a warmer surface under a lamp and it is unusual, which is part of the appeal.
A design turned for the Viennese cafe chess of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rook is cut short and wide and the king is tall, so the back rank reads at a glance across a crowded table.
Boxwood treated so it reads as aged cream rather than bright white. It suits a reproduction pattern and cuts glare against a dark board.
No. This listing is the 34 pieces and the board only.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
98mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
39mm (1.5 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
76mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
71mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
53mm (2.1 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
46mm (1.8 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
36mm (1.4 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 |
|
Chess pieces weight |
1,172g approximate |
|
Board size |
55cm x 55cm (21.6 inch) |
|
Board square size |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
13mm |
|
Board construction |
Black dyed poplar and olive, matte finish, 2,900g |
|
Total set weight |
4,072g approximate |
|
Pieces origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
One 55cm black dyed poplar and olive chess board with 55mm squares
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.
Coffee house chess was played in Vienna in rooms full of noise and cigarette smoke, on tables that were never big enough. The pattern that came out of it is unlike an English Staunton: the king is tall, the rook is deliberately squat, and the whole set reads at a glance from across a crowded table.
This is the version two reproduction, at 98mm with a 42mm base, in ebonised boxwood against antiqued boxwood. The antiquing is the point on the light side, giving a warm aged cream rather than bright white, which is what a hundred year old Viennese set actually looks like.
It comes with a 55cm board in black dyed poplar and olive. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The Old Vienna V2.0 pieces are listed separately without a board. If you already own a 55mm board that is the cheaper route, and it is the same carving.
There is also an Old Vienna at 107mm on our pieces pages. Same family name, noticeably different object, and the nine millimetre gap shows more than the number suggests because the coffee house proportions exaggerate height.
The board here is the unusual part. Olive on the light squares instead of the usual maple gives a greenish gold figure with more movement in it, and against black dyed poplar the contrast stays high without going stark. Other options sit across our chess boards collection.
Two things. The first is the rook, cut short and wide so it sits below everything else on the back rank. On an English Staunton the rook comes up to roughly the bishop's shoulder; here it stops at barely half the king's height. That gives the back rank a stepped silhouette you can read without looking directly at it.
The second is the king to pawn ratio. A 98mm king over a 46mm pawn is a wide spread, and it means the pawn structure reads as a low field with the officers standing clear above it. Both features exist for the same reason: cafe chess was played fast, often with an audience leaning in, and the position had to be legible at speed.
Antiquing is a finish applied to boxwood to take the newness out of it. The timber is treated so the surface reads as aged cream rather than bright white, and the turning lines pick up a little more shadow than they would on a raw set.
It matters more on a reproduction than on a modern pattern. A bright white light side next to a black dark side looks like a set made last year, which defeats the purpose of reproducing a historic design. Against the black dyed poplar of the supplied board, the aged cream also cuts glare in a way plain boxwood under a lamp does not.
A 42mm king base wants 55mm squares, which is exactly what is supplied. That leaves room for the 36mm officer bases to sit clear of each other through the middlegame, and it suits the wide spread of this pattern.
The board is 55cm across, 13mm thick and 2,900g, in black dyed poplar and olive with a matte finish. It is a veneer construction, so the weight of the purchase is in the pieces. Thirty four pieces including two spare queens. No storage box. Alternatives sit across our chess boards collection and the pattern is also listed among our Staunton chess pieces.
The olive board is what makes this listing worth a look. Almost every board at this price pairs a dark timber with maple, and olive instead gives a greenish gold light square with real figure in it, warmer under a lamp and much less clinical than white. Paired with an antiqued light side on the pieces, the whole thing reads as an old object rather than a new one, which is the entire point of buying a reproduction. Two honest notes. The board is veneer at 13mm, so it is a playing surface rather than furniture, and the coffee house proportions are a genuine taste question: the short rook looks wrong to people raised on English Staunton sets. Sit with a photograph before you buy. If it looks right to you, it will keep looking right.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55cm x 55cm with 55mm squares, 13mm thick and around 2,900g, in black dyed poplar and olive with a matte finish.
Olive carries more figure and a greenish gold tone rather than the pale cream of maple. It is a warmer surface under a lamp and it is unusual, which is part of the appeal.
A design turned for the Viennese cafe chess of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rook is cut short and wide and the king is tall, so the back rank reads at a glance across a crowded table.
Boxwood treated so it reads as aged cream rather than bright white. It suits a reproduction pattern and cuts glare against a dark board.
No. This listing is the 34 pieces and the board only.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
98mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
39mm (1.5 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
76mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
71mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
53mm (2.1 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
46mm (1.8 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
36mm (1.4 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 |
|
Chess pieces weight |
1,172g approximate |
|
Board size |
55cm x 55cm (21.6 inch) |
|
Board square size |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
13mm |
|
Board construction |
Black dyed poplar and olive, matte finish, 2,900g |
|
Total set weight |
4,072g approximate |
|
Pieces origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
One 55cm black dyed poplar and olive chess board with 55mm squares
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.
