✔ Australian Owned & Operated
✔ FREE Shipping On All Orders
✔ 100 Day FREE Returns
✔ Authorised Australian Dealer
✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
A board sold on its own, sized for the smaller end of the Staunton range. The playing surface is 45.7cm across with 45mm squares, in bud rose wood on the dark side against maple on the light. The dark squares are the deep red brown the name refers to, with the close figure that timber carries.
What stands out on a board this size is the thickness. At 22mm it is cut to the same depth as our 58.4cm board in the same timbers, so proportionally it is the chunkier of the two, and at 3,000g it has real weight under the hand for a surface that still fits a side table.
Forty five millimetre squares are matched to a king base of 25mm to 35mm. That is a smaller footprint than a club standard set uses, so read the section on choosing pieces before pairing it. Other sizes sit across our chess boards collection.
The same timbers are offered in a larger format as the 58.4cm board with 60mm squares, and the two are genuinely different purchases rather than two sizes of one thing. That board is cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm and weighs 5,500g. This one is cut for 25mm to 35mm and weighs 3,000g. The pieces you own decide which is correct, and there is no overlap between the two ranges.
Both share the 22mm thickness, which is the unusual part here. A board at 45.7cm is normally built lighter, on the assumption that a smaller surface is a portable one. This is not portable, and it is better for it: the extra depth is what stops a compact board from sliding on a polished table.
Set against the rest of our chess boards collection, it is more affordable than the 58.4cm board in the same timbers, and easier to house. It suits a room where the board comes out for a game and goes back on a shelf, rather than a dedicated table.
Match on the diameter of the king's base, not on how tall the king stands. Two sets of the same height can carry bases eight or ten millimetres apart, and it is the base that has to share the square. This board is cut for a king base of 25mm to 35mm.
On a 45mm square that is a forgiving band. Even at the top of it, each base keeps a clear margin of square around it, and at the bottom the pieces still read as a proper army rather than being lost. It means the board tolerates a wider spread of sets than a tightly matched board would, which is useful if you own more than one.
What it points at is the shorter Staunton patterns. The Collector Series Staunton at 66mm and the French Lardy Compact at 76mm are the scale this board was cut for. The common 95mm club set is the wrong direction entirely, because sets at that height are usually turned for 50mm to 55mm squares and their bases would crowd these ones. If you are not sure what you own, measure the king's base with a ruler before ordering, then compare it against our Staunton chess pieces.
Bud rose wood is a dense red brown timber with a close, tight figure rather than long straight grain lines. It is darker and warmer than sheesham, and it deepens with age, so a board that starts a rich red settles towards something closer to burgundy over years of use.
Maple on the light squares is the counterpart the store uses across most of this range, and it is the right one here. It is pale without being white, so the contrast against the bud rose wood stays high enough to read a position quickly but stops short of the hard black and white look of a tournament board. The result is a board that is easy to read across a table without being tiring to look at over a long game.
This is the size that fits an ordinary table. At 45.7cm square it leaves room either side on most dining tables for captured pieces and two sets of forearms, and it will sit on a side table or a coffee table without hanging over the edges. That is the practical case for the smaller format.
The 3,000g weight is what separates it from a travel board. It stays put on a smooth surface, it does not skid when a piece is put down hard, and it can be moved between rooms with two hands rather than needing to be carried carefully. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and it will hold its colour. The published weight allows a variance of up to 10 percent either way, as with any handmade item.
The 22mm thickness is what makes this worth a look, because a board at 45.7cm is normally built lighter and feels it. Three thousand grams under a compact surface gives it a planted quality that boards this size usually lack, and the bud rose wood is a warmer dark square than the sheesham that is more common at this size. The caveat is the fit, and it is a real one: a 25mm to 35mm king base is a smaller footprint than the standard 95mm tournament set carries, so a large number of the sets people already own will not suit this board. Buy it if you own shorter pieces, or if you are choosing both together and want a board that fits a normal table without feeling like a compromise.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own. Pieces are chosen and bought separately.
Pieces with a king base of 25mm to 35mm. Measure the widest part of the king's base rather than going by the height of the set.
Not well. Sets at that height are usually turned for 50mm to 55mm squares, and their bases would crowd 45mm squares. A larger board suits them better.
Same timbers and the same 22mm thickness, but a larger surface with 60mm squares, 5,500g of weight, and a 45mm to 52mm king base recommendation. It is the board for large pieces.
Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat vents, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and avoid standing drinks on the playing surface.
Yes. At around 3,000g it holds its place on a smooth table, which a lighter board of this size will not always do.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
45.7cm x 45.7cm (18 inch) |
|
Square size |
45mm (1.75 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
22mm (0.9 inch) |
|
Board weight |
3,000g approximate, up to 10 percent variance |
|
Dark squares |
Bud rose wood |
|
Light squares |
Maple |
|
Recommended king base |
25mm to 35mm (1.0 inch to 1.4 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
One 45.7cm blood red bud rose wood and maple chess board with 45mm squares
Playing pieces are sold separately and are not part of this listing
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.
A board sold on its own, sized for the smaller end of the Staunton range. The playing surface is 45.7cm across with 45mm squares, in bud rose wood on the dark side against maple on the light. The dark squares are the deep red brown the name refers to, with the close figure that timber carries.
What stands out on a board this size is the thickness. At 22mm it is cut to the same depth as our 58.4cm board in the same timbers, so proportionally it is the chunkier of the two, and at 3,000g it has real weight under the hand for a surface that still fits a side table.
Forty five millimetre squares are matched to a king base of 25mm to 35mm. That is a smaller footprint than a club standard set uses, so read the section on choosing pieces before pairing it. Other sizes sit across our chess boards collection.
The same timbers are offered in a larger format as the 58.4cm board with 60mm squares, and the two are genuinely different purchases rather than two sizes of one thing. That board is cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm and weighs 5,500g. This one is cut for 25mm to 35mm and weighs 3,000g. The pieces you own decide which is correct, and there is no overlap between the two ranges.
Both share the 22mm thickness, which is the unusual part here. A board at 45.7cm is normally built lighter, on the assumption that a smaller surface is a portable one. This is not portable, and it is better for it: the extra depth is what stops a compact board from sliding on a polished table.
Set against the rest of our chess boards collection, it is more affordable than the 58.4cm board in the same timbers, and easier to house. It suits a room where the board comes out for a game and goes back on a shelf, rather than a dedicated table.
Match on the diameter of the king's base, not on how tall the king stands. Two sets of the same height can carry bases eight or ten millimetres apart, and it is the base that has to share the square. This board is cut for a king base of 25mm to 35mm.
On a 45mm square that is a forgiving band. Even at the top of it, each base keeps a clear margin of square around it, and at the bottom the pieces still read as a proper army rather than being lost. It means the board tolerates a wider spread of sets than a tightly matched board would, which is useful if you own more than one.
What it points at is the shorter Staunton patterns. The Collector Series Staunton at 66mm and the French Lardy Compact at 76mm are the scale this board was cut for. The common 95mm club set is the wrong direction entirely, because sets at that height are usually turned for 50mm to 55mm squares and their bases would crowd these ones. If you are not sure what you own, measure the king's base with a ruler before ordering, then compare it against our Staunton chess pieces.
Bud rose wood is a dense red brown timber with a close, tight figure rather than long straight grain lines. It is darker and warmer than sheesham, and it deepens with age, so a board that starts a rich red settles towards something closer to burgundy over years of use.
Maple on the light squares is the counterpart the store uses across most of this range, and it is the right one here. It is pale without being white, so the contrast against the bud rose wood stays high enough to read a position quickly but stops short of the hard black and white look of a tournament board. The result is a board that is easy to read across a table without being tiring to look at over a long game.
This is the size that fits an ordinary table. At 45.7cm square it leaves room either side on most dining tables for captured pieces and two sets of forearms, and it will sit on a side table or a coffee table without hanging over the edges. That is the practical case for the smaller format.
The 3,000g weight is what separates it from a travel board. It stays put on a smooth surface, it does not skid when a piece is put down hard, and it can be moved between rooms with two hands rather than needing to be carried carefully. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and it will hold its colour. The published weight allows a variance of up to 10 percent either way, as with any handmade item.
The 22mm thickness is what makes this worth a look, because a board at 45.7cm is normally built lighter and feels it. Three thousand grams under a compact surface gives it a planted quality that boards this size usually lack, and the bud rose wood is a warmer dark square than the sheesham that is more common at this size. The caveat is the fit, and it is a real one: a 25mm to 35mm king base is a smaller footprint than the standard 95mm tournament set carries, so a large number of the sets people already own will not suit this board. Buy it if you own shorter pieces, or if you are choosing both together and want a board that fits a normal table without feeling like a compromise.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own. Pieces are chosen and bought separately.
Pieces with a king base of 25mm to 35mm. Measure the widest part of the king's base rather than going by the height of the set.
Not well. Sets at that height are usually turned for 50mm to 55mm squares, and their bases would crowd 45mm squares. A larger board suits them better.
Same timbers and the same 22mm thickness, but a larger surface with 60mm squares, 5,500g of weight, and a 45mm to 52mm king base recommendation. It is the board for large pieces.
Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat vents, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and avoid standing drinks on the playing surface.
Yes. At around 3,000g it holds its place on a smooth table, which a lighter board of this size will not always do.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
45.7cm x 45.7cm (18 inch) |
|
Square size |
45mm (1.75 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
22mm (0.9 inch) |
|
Board weight |
3,000g approximate, up to 10 percent variance |
|
Dark squares |
Bud rose wood |
|
Light squares |
Maple |
|
Recommended king base |
25mm to 35mm (1.0 inch to 1.4 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
One 45.7cm blood red bud rose wood and maple chess board with 45mm squares
Playing pieces are sold separately and are not part of this listing
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.
