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✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
Burnt boxwood is made by scorching the timber rather than staining it. The heat darkens the surface unevenly along the grain, so every piece carries its own pattern of scorch marks and no two are the same. It is the opposite of an ebonised set, where the whole point is a flat, even black.
This is the lacquered version of the Burnt Blazed series, and the lacquer changes what you see. It seals the scorched surface under a gloss that lifts the contrast between the burnt and unburnt grain, so the figure reads more strongly than on the bare finish.
A 97mm king on a 41mm base, weighted to 1,240g. It sits among our Staunton chess pieces.
We carry the same series without the lacquer, and the two are less alike than the shared name suggests. The lighter Burnt Blazed Series set is lighter at 1,050g and its officer group sits on 35mm bases against 38mm here, with the bishop and knight a few millimetres shorter.
In the hand that gap is obvious. An extra 190g across 34 pieces is roughly 6g a piece, which on a bishop is the difference between a set that feels solid and one that feels merely adequate. The wider officer base compounds it, giving a more planted stance across the middle of the board.
The lacquer is the other half of the decision. It gives more shine and more grain contrast; the bare finish is quieter and more matte. Neither is more correct, and both sit in our wood chess pieces range.
The timber is turned first and then scorched, so the darkening happens on a finished shape rather than on a blank. The flame catches the raised grain harder than the recessed grain, which is what produces the streaked, variegated look rather than a uniform brown.
Because it is a surface treatment rather than a dye, the depth of colour varies across a set and even across a single piece. If you want the two sides of your board to match each other exactly, this is the wrong finish. If you want every pawn to be visibly its own object, it is the right one.
Bishop, knight and rook all sit on 38mm, which is generous for a 97mm set. Most sets at this height put the officers on 34mm to 36mm and reserve the wide feet for the king and queen.
The practical effect is stability across the middle ranks, where the officers do most of their work and where a knocked piece does the most damage to a position. The visual effect is a heavier, more grounded back rank. It also means the set wants the full 55mm square, because six wide bases in a row fill a smaller board quickly.
Lacquer is a hard shell and it behaves like one. It resists handling marks well and it will craze or chip if the pieces are dropped on a hard surface or stored where they knock together loose in a bag.
Keep them dry, keep them out of direct sun, and store them so they are not rattling against each other. No board is included with these pieces; our chess boards collection is filtered by square size and you want 55mm.
The lacquer is the whole decision here. It seals the scorched surface and pushes the grain contrast up, which makes a burnt boxwood set look considerably more dramatic than the bare version, and if you like that effect nothing else in the range does it. The extra heft is real too: 1,240g against 1,050g for the unlacquered set, with a wider officer base to match. Two honest warnings. Burnt boxwood is deliberately inconsistent, so if you want your two sides to match piece for piece you should not buy this finish. And lacquer chips, so this is not the set to throw in a bag between club nights.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. The officer bases run wide at 38mm, so a smaller board fills up quickly and the back rank starts to look crowded.
Burnt boxwood is scorched rather than dyed, and the flame catches the grain unevenly. The variation is inherent to the finish, not a defect.
This one is lacquered, heavier at 1,240g against 1,050g, and its officers sit on 38mm bases rather than 35mm. Compare it against the lighter Burnt Blazed Series set.
No. It is boxwood that has been scorched to darken it, then lacquered. Genuine ebony sets sit across our wood chess pieces range.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards and storage are sold separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
97mm (3.8 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
41mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
43mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
60mm (2.4 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.4 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
52mm (2.1 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
29mm (1.1 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Finish |
Lacquered over a scorched surface |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,240g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
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.
Burnt boxwood is made by scorching the timber rather than staining it. The heat darkens the surface unevenly along the grain, so every piece carries its own pattern of scorch marks and no two are the same. It is the opposite of an ebonised set, where the whole point is a flat, even black.
This is the lacquered version of the Burnt Blazed series, and the lacquer changes what you see. It seals the scorched surface under a gloss that lifts the contrast between the burnt and unburnt grain, so the figure reads more strongly than on the bare finish.
A 97mm king on a 41mm base, weighted to 1,240g. It sits among our Staunton chess pieces.
We carry the same series without the lacquer, and the two are less alike than the shared name suggests. The lighter Burnt Blazed Series set is lighter at 1,050g and its officer group sits on 35mm bases against 38mm here, with the bishop and knight a few millimetres shorter.
In the hand that gap is obvious. An extra 190g across 34 pieces is roughly 6g a piece, which on a bishop is the difference between a set that feels solid and one that feels merely adequate. The wider officer base compounds it, giving a more planted stance across the middle of the board.
The lacquer is the other half of the decision. It gives more shine and more grain contrast; the bare finish is quieter and more matte. Neither is more correct, and both sit in our wood chess pieces range.
The timber is turned first and then scorched, so the darkening happens on a finished shape rather than on a blank. The flame catches the raised grain harder than the recessed grain, which is what produces the streaked, variegated look rather than a uniform brown.
Because it is a surface treatment rather than a dye, the depth of colour varies across a set and even across a single piece. If you want the two sides of your board to match each other exactly, this is the wrong finish. If you want every pawn to be visibly its own object, it is the right one.
Bishop, knight and rook all sit on 38mm, which is generous for a 97mm set. Most sets at this height put the officers on 34mm to 36mm and reserve the wide feet for the king and queen.
The practical effect is stability across the middle ranks, where the officers do most of their work and where a knocked piece does the most damage to a position. The visual effect is a heavier, more grounded back rank. It also means the set wants the full 55mm square, because six wide bases in a row fill a smaller board quickly.
Lacquer is a hard shell and it behaves like one. It resists handling marks well and it will craze or chip if the pieces are dropped on a hard surface or stored where they knock together loose in a bag.
Keep them dry, keep them out of direct sun, and store them so they are not rattling against each other. No board is included with these pieces; our chess boards collection is filtered by square size and you want 55mm.
The lacquer is the whole decision here. It seals the scorched surface and pushes the grain contrast up, which makes a burnt boxwood set look considerably more dramatic than the bare version, and if you like that effect nothing else in the range does it. The extra heft is real too: 1,240g against 1,050g for the unlacquered set, with a wider officer base to match. Two honest warnings. Burnt boxwood is deliberately inconsistent, so if you want your two sides to match piece for piece you should not buy this finish. And lacquer chips, so this is not the set to throw in a bag between club nights.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. The officer bases run wide at 38mm, so a smaller board fills up quickly and the back rank starts to look crowded.
Burnt boxwood is scorched rather than dyed, and the flame catches the grain unevenly. The variation is inherent to the finish, not a defect.
This one is lacquered, heavier at 1,240g against 1,050g, and its officers sit on 38mm bases rather than 35mm. Compare it against the lighter Burnt Blazed Series set.
No. It is boxwood that has been scorched to darken it, then lacquered. Genuine ebony sets sit across our wood chess pieces range.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards and storage are sold separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
97mm (3.8 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
41mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
43mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
60mm (2.4 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.4 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
52mm (2.1 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
29mm (1.1 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Lacquered burnt boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Finish |
Lacquered over a scorched surface |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,240g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
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.
