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The Berliner is a mid century modern German minimalist pattern. Its pieces are built on stripped back turned geometry, with no traditional carving anywhere on them.
The series is a design combining elegance with practicality. It is minimalist and still legible: no two pieces are easy to confuse once a board is full.
The pale side is boxwood on either option, carefully handcrafted from high grade stock. The king reaches 98mm, and every piece is weighted.
Two options carry the pattern. Golden rosewood makes the dark army on one and ebonised boxwood on the other, with boxwood standing opposite on both.
Find it in our minimalist chess pieces.
Minimalism here means subtraction. The Berliner takes a chess piece back to turned geometry and lets proportion carry the whole design, with nothing carved on top to lean on.
The risk with a plain army is confusion, and this one sidesteps it. Although the design is minimalist, each of the pieces is easily differentiated from the others, so a busy middlegame still reads at a glance.
High grade boxwood has been used to handcraft the set. On the ebonised option that means boxwood on both sides, one army taken close to black; on the golden rosewood it is a warm timber against the pale.
The weight is modest. The pieces are weighted and they stand where they are set down, though this is not an army that announces itself by mass, and the restraint suits what the design is doing.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm. This king is slim across the foot for his height, so every square in that range gives the rank room, and nothing has to be squeezed in.
A pared back army changes how a board looks more than it changes how a game plays. The outlines are clean, the silhouettes are quiet, and a table ends up looking composed when the set is left standing on it.
The two timbers pull in different directions. Golden rosewood is warm and has grain running through it, which softens the geometry and makes the set sit like a piece of furniture in a room.
Ebonised boxwood goes the other way. Its dark army is taken close to black, the contrast is at its hardest, and the turned shapes read as outlines against the pale side.
Underneath they are the same chessmen at the same scale and the same weight, so the whole decision is about the colour you want to live with. Neither one plays differently from the other.
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.
I would buy this one for the way it sits in a room. A Berliner left standing on a table looks like an object somebody chose, and that is a perfectly good reason to own a set of chessmen.
It plays better than a stripped back design has any right to. Because the pieces stay easy to tell apart, the minimalism never gets in the way once there is a real position on the board.
It is also a light army for its height. That is part of the look, and a player who wants a heavy piece landing on a square should know it before ordering.
The honest limit is the detail, or the absence of it. There is no carving to admire and no knight with a face, so anyone who wants that should begin in our staunton chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
A named design of chessmen from the mid century modern school in Germany, minimalist, turned down to bare geometry and carrying none of the traditional carving.
Yes. That is the point of the design: minimal shapes that are still distinct from one another, so nothing is ambiguous once the board fills up.
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. This king is slim across the foot, so the army is comfortable across the whole of that range and the choice comes down to the table you own.
910 grams all told. The grade is Weighted, and it is a light set for a king of this height, which is part of the character of the pattern.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 35mm base |
|
Queen |
86mm high (3.4 inch), 34mm base |
|
Bishop |
77mm high (3.0 inch), 32mm base |
|
Knight |
68mm high (2.7 inch), 31mm base |
|
Rook |
53mm high (2.1 inch), 32mm base |
|
Pawn |
47mm high (1.9 inch), 25mm base |
|
Golden Rosewood option |
Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
King height, both options |
98mm |
|
Weighting |
Weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.97 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
910 grams (2.0 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, including a spare queen of each colour
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 Berliner is a mid century modern German minimalist pattern. Its pieces are built on stripped back turned geometry, with no traditional carving anywhere on them.
The series is a design combining elegance with practicality. It is minimalist and still legible: no two pieces are easy to confuse once a board is full.
The pale side is boxwood on either option, carefully handcrafted from high grade stock. The king reaches 98mm, and every piece is weighted.
Two options carry the pattern. Golden rosewood makes the dark army on one and ebonised boxwood on the other, with boxwood standing opposite on both.
Find it in our minimalist chess pieces.
Minimalism here means subtraction. The Berliner takes a chess piece back to turned geometry and lets proportion carry the whole design, with nothing carved on top to lean on.
The risk with a plain army is confusion, and this one sidesteps it. Although the design is minimalist, each of the pieces is easily differentiated from the others, so a busy middlegame still reads at a glance.
High grade boxwood has been used to handcraft the set. On the ebonised option that means boxwood on both sides, one army taken close to black; on the golden rosewood it is a warm timber against the pale.
The weight is modest. The pieces are weighted and they stand where they are set down, though this is not an army that announces itself by mass, and the restraint suits what the design is doing.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm. This king is slim across the foot for his height, so every square in that range gives the rank room, and nothing has to be squeezed in.
A pared back army changes how a board looks more than it changes how a game plays. The outlines are clean, the silhouettes are quiet, and a table ends up looking composed when the set is left standing on it.
The two timbers pull in different directions. Golden rosewood is warm and has grain running through it, which softens the geometry and makes the set sit like a piece of furniture in a room.
Ebonised boxwood goes the other way. Its dark army is taken close to black, the contrast is at its hardest, and the turned shapes read as outlines against the pale side.
Underneath they are the same chessmen at the same scale and the same weight, so the whole decision is about the colour you want to live with. Neither one plays differently from the other.
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.
I would buy this one for the way it sits in a room. A Berliner left standing on a table looks like an object somebody chose, and that is a perfectly good reason to own a set of chessmen.
It plays better than a stripped back design has any right to. Because the pieces stay easy to tell apart, the minimalism never gets in the way once there is a real position on the board.
It is also a light army for its height. That is part of the look, and a player who wants a heavy piece landing on a square should know it before ordering.
The honest limit is the detail, or the absence of it. There is no carving to admire and no knight with a face, so anyone who wants that should begin in our staunton chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
A named design of chessmen from the mid century modern school in Germany, minimalist, turned down to bare geometry and carrying none of the traditional carving.
Yes. That is the point of the design: minimal shapes that are still distinct from one another, so nothing is ambiguous once the board fills up.
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. This king is slim across the foot, so the army is comfortable across the whole of that range and the choice comes down to the table you own.
910 grams all told. The grade is Weighted, and it is a light set for a king of this height, which is part of the character of the pattern.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 35mm base |
|
Queen |
86mm high (3.4 inch), 34mm base |
|
Bishop |
77mm high (3.0 inch), 32mm base |
|
Knight |
68mm high (2.7 inch), 31mm base |
|
Rook |
53mm high (2.1 inch), 32mm base |
|
Pawn |
47mm high (1.9 inch), 25mm base |
|
Golden Rosewood option |
Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
King height, both options |
98mm |
|
Weighting |
Weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.97 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
910 grams (2.0 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, including a spare queen of each colour
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.
