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On this set the knight and the queen are the same height. Both stand 85mm in the rosewood option, on bases of 38mm and 43mm respectively. No convention in chess set design allows that, and it is the entire point of the pattern.
The knight is bridled, carved with tack across the muzzle, and giving it the queen's height is what makes that work visible from a seated position. Behind it the bishop drops to 78mm and the rook to 65mm, so the officer rank runs knight, bishop, rook rather than the usual bishop, knight, rook.
A 103mm king on a 43mm base, double weighted with an iron stud in each base. Rosewood or sheesham against boxwood, in our Staunton chess pieces.
We carry two bridled patterns and they solve the same problem differently. The American Bridle keeps a conventional officer rank and relies on the carving alone to carry the detail. This one raises the knight to the queen's height so the tack is unmissable.
The trade is legibility. A back rank where the knight outranks the bishop takes adjusting to, and in a crowded position the eye has to work slightly harder because the usual height cues are inverted. Against that, the knights never disappear behind the pawns.
On weight and price this sits below the American Bridle, at 1,330g to 1,554g against roughly 1,780g. Compare the two directly in our Staunton chess pieces.
The Staunton convention puts the bishop above the knight, and it has a reason: the bishop's mitre is a simple turned form that reads clearly at height, while the knight is a carved head that reads better close up. Making the bishop taller lets the simpler shape do the long distance work.
Inverting that is a bet that the carving is good enough to justify the space. On a set where the knight is the selling point it pays off, because the piece you are meant to look at is the one standing highest. On a set with an ordinary knight it would just look wrong.
The two options are not quite twins. Rosewood measures marginally larger throughout and comes in at 1,554g; sheesham measures a touch smaller and weighs 1,330g. The difference of just over 200g is noticeable in the hand, particularly in the pawns.
Visually, rosewood is the deeper and more figured of the two, with contrast against the boxwood that sits in the middle range. Sheesham is a warmer mid brown with more open grain and slightly lower contrast. Both are hand polished rather than lacquered, so the colour deepens with handling.
The 43mm king base puts this set on 50mm to 55mm squares. Because the knight is unusually tall and the officers all share a 38mm base, 55mm is the better choice: it gives the raised knights room to stand clear rather than crowding their neighbours.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match the requirement directly.
Raising the knight to the queen's height is a real design decision rather than a variation, and it succeeds because the bridle carving is worth looking at. If you want your knights to be the piece people notice, this does it more directly than any other set we carry. Two caveats. An inverted officer rank takes a few games to read comfortably, and anyone who values a textbook Staunton silhouette will not like it. And the two timbers differ by over 200g, so pick rosewood if weight matters to you.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm, and 55mm is the better choice. That comes from the 43mm king base, and the extra room lets the unusually tall knights stand clear.
Yes. In the rosewood option both stand 85mm. It is deliberate, so the bridle carving on the knight is visible from a seated position rather than hidden behind the pawns.
Rosewood is deeper and more figured, measures marginally larger and weighs 1,554g. Sheesham is a warmer mid brown with more open grain and weighs 1,330g. Both are hand polished.
Both have bridled knights. The American Bridle is larger at 107mm, triple weighted at roughly 1,780g, and keeps a conventional officer rank. This set is smaller, lighter and raises the knight to the queen's height. Both are in our Staunton chess pieces.
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 |
103mm (4.0 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
85mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
41mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
78mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
85mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Rook height |
65mm (2.5 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
57mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Rosewood or sheesham, by option |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted with an iron stud in each base, thick green felt |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,554g in rosewood, 1,330g in sheesham |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in the timber option you select
2 spare queens, one per 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.
On this set the knight and the queen are the same height. Both stand 85mm in the rosewood option, on bases of 38mm and 43mm respectively. No convention in chess set design allows that, and it is the entire point of the pattern.
The knight is bridled, carved with tack across the muzzle, and giving it the queen's height is what makes that work visible from a seated position. Behind it the bishop drops to 78mm and the rook to 65mm, so the officer rank runs knight, bishop, rook rather than the usual bishop, knight, rook.
A 103mm king on a 43mm base, double weighted with an iron stud in each base. Rosewood or sheesham against boxwood, in our Staunton chess pieces.
We carry two bridled patterns and they solve the same problem differently. The American Bridle keeps a conventional officer rank and relies on the carving alone to carry the detail. This one raises the knight to the queen's height so the tack is unmissable.
The trade is legibility. A back rank where the knight outranks the bishop takes adjusting to, and in a crowded position the eye has to work slightly harder because the usual height cues are inverted. Against that, the knights never disappear behind the pawns.
On weight and price this sits below the American Bridle, at 1,330g to 1,554g against roughly 1,780g. Compare the two directly in our Staunton chess pieces.
The Staunton convention puts the bishop above the knight, and it has a reason: the bishop's mitre is a simple turned form that reads clearly at height, while the knight is a carved head that reads better close up. Making the bishop taller lets the simpler shape do the long distance work.
Inverting that is a bet that the carving is good enough to justify the space. On a set where the knight is the selling point it pays off, because the piece you are meant to look at is the one standing highest. On a set with an ordinary knight it would just look wrong.
The two options are not quite twins. Rosewood measures marginally larger throughout and comes in at 1,554g; sheesham measures a touch smaller and weighs 1,330g. The difference of just over 200g is noticeable in the hand, particularly in the pawns.
Visually, rosewood is the deeper and more figured of the two, with contrast against the boxwood that sits in the middle range. Sheesham is a warmer mid brown with more open grain and slightly lower contrast. Both are hand polished rather than lacquered, so the colour deepens with handling.
The 43mm king base puts this set on 50mm to 55mm squares. Because the knight is unusually tall and the officers all share a 38mm base, 55mm is the better choice: it gives the raised knights room to stand clear rather than crowding their neighbours.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match the requirement directly.
Raising the knight to the queen's height is a real design decision rather than a variation, and it succeeds because the bridle carving is worth looking at. If you want your knights to be the piece people notice, this does it more directly than any other set we carry. Two caveats. An inverted officer rank takes a few games to read comfortably, and anyone who values a textbook Staunton silhouette will not like it. And the two timbers differ by over 200g, so pick rosewood if weight matters to you.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm, and 55mm is the better choice. That comes from the 43mm king base, and the extra room lets the unusually tall knights stand clear.
Yes. In the rosewood option both stand 85mm. It is deliberate, so the bridle carving on the knight is visible from a seated position rather than hidden behind the pawns.
Rosewood is deeper and more figured, measures marginally larger and weighs 1,554g. Sheesham is a warmer mid brown with more open grain and weighs 1,330g. Both are hand polished.
Both have bridled knights. The American Bridle is larger at 107mm, triple weighted at roughly 1,780g, and keeps a conventional officer rank. This set is smaller, lighter and raises the knight to the queen's height. Both are in our Staunton chess pieces.
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 |
103mm (4.0 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
85mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
41mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
78mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
85mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Rook height |
65mm (2.5 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
57mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Rosewood or sheesham, by option |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted with an iron stud in each base, thick green felt |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,554g in rosewood, 1,330g in sheesham |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in the timber option you select
2 spare queens, one per 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.
