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A hand carved Staunton set for players who want real timber and real carving without stepping up into the luxury tiers. At 66mm the king is small by modern tournament standards, which makes this set a natural fit for compact home tables, folding boards and the many boards sold with squares in the 40mm to 50mm range. It is one of the most accessible ways into our Staunton chess pieces range.
The dark side is ebonised boxwood and the light side is natural boxwood, both turned and carved from Gardenia latifolia. Every piece is varnished and finished with thick green felt on the base, so the set moves quietly and does not mark a polished surface.
Thirty four pieces ship in total: the standard thirty two plus a spare queen in each colour. That extra pair matters more than it sounds. Promote twice in a long game and you are not reaching for an upturned rook.
Most hand carved Staunton sets sold in Australia sit somewhere between 85mm and 95mm, built around the tournament standard. This one deliberately does not. A 66mm king is a different proposition: lighter, more compact, and far easier to house on a small table or a folding travel set.
What it keeps is the carving. Knight, bishop and rook are shaped by hand rather than pressed from a mould, and the boxwood is the same species used further up the range. What it gives up is presence. These pieces will not command a room the way a heavier, taller set does, and they are not intended to.
If you want weight in the hand and a set that anchors a large playing surface, work through the rest of our chess pieces collection before committing. If you want genuine hand carving on a modest footprint, this is the shortest route to it.
This is the one thing worth getting right before you order, because a 66mm king is small and a poor pairing shows immediately. The maker specifies squares between 40mm and 50mm. Within that window, 40mm to 45mm gives a full, well populated setup where the pieces sit close to the edge of their squares and the opening position looks dense.
Push out towards 50mm and the same set reads more open, with visible space around each base. Some players prefer exactly that, especially for study and analysis where clarity matters more than density. Go beyond 50mm and the 32mm bases start to look stranded. Square size is listed on every entry in our chess boards collection, so check that figure rather than the overall outside dimension, which varies with border width.
Hand carving is not only an aesthetic choice. A carved knight carries undercuts and a defined mane that a moulded piece cannot reproduce, and those details are what let you identify a piece by feel as much as by sight when you are moving quickly in a time scramble.
The varnish sits thin enough to leave the natural boxwood grain visible while sealing the surface against constant handling. The green felt on every base does the practical work: it stops the pieces scratching a polished top and takes the click out of each move.
Both colours start as the same timber, Gardenia latifolia. The light side is left natural, so the grain, the pale honey tone and the small variations from piece to piece are all on show. The dark side is ebonised, dyed through rather than coloured on the surface alone, which produces an even near black finish without the cost of true ebony.
The practical consequence is that the two sides age differently. Natural boxwood warms and deepens with handling over the years. Ebonised boxwood stays close to where it started. Both do best kept out of direct sunlight, which is the main cause of fading and of turned timber drying out.
The carving standard here is a real step up on the moulded sets this competes with, and the two spare queens are a practical inclusion rather than a marketing one. The caveat is mass: thirty four pieces totalling roughly 500 grams averages out light per piece, so anyone expecting the planted feel of a double weighted tournament set will be disappointed and should look further up the range.
It suits a first hand carved set, a compact table, or a gift for someone who plays casually and cares how the pieces look. It does not suit a club player who wants tournament dimensions.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Players who want hand carved timber on a small footprint: home setups, compact tables and relaxed club nights. They also make a sensible first real set for someone moving up from plastic. A serious tournament player will want something taller and heavier.
Between 40mm and 50mm, with 40mm to 45mm the closest fit given the 32mm base. Measure a single square on your playing surface rather than the outside dimension, because border widths vary a great deal between makers.
No. This is a pieces only listing: no chess board and no storage box are supplied. You receive the thirty four chessmen and nothing further, so plan for a playing surface and storage separately.
Wipe with a dry or barely damp soft cloth and keep the pieces out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. Boxwood is dense but it still responds to humidity swings. Never soak a piece and never use solvent based cleaners on the varnish.
The differences are height, mass and presence. A set with an 85mm to 95mm king carries more weight and holds a large playing surface better, while this one is easier to place on a small table. Browse our wood chess pieces collection to see the sizes above this one.
Yes. Thirty four pieces ship in total: the standard thirty two plus one spare queen in each colour. It means you can promote a second pawn without borrowing a captured rook and hoping everyone remembers what it stands for.
Spec |
Detail |
Style |
Staunton, hand carved |
King height |
66mm (2.6 inches) |
King base diameter |
32mm (1.2 inches) |
Piece count |
34 chessmen, including 2 spare queens |
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
Finish |
Varnished, with thick green felt bases |
Recommended square size |
40mm to 50mm |
Set weight |
Approximately 500 grams, tolerance plus or minus 10 percent |
34 chess pieces in ebonised boxwood and natural boxwood
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.
A hand carved Staunton set for players who want real timber and real carving without stepping up into the luxury tiers. At 66mm the king is small by modern tournament standards, which makes this set a natural fit for compact home tables, folding boards and the many boards sold with squares in the 40mm to 50mm range. It is one of the most accessible ways into our Staunton chess pieces range.
The dark side is ebonised boxwood and the light side is natural boxwood, both turned and carved from Gardenia latifolia. Every piece is varnished and finished with thick green felt on the base, so the set moves quietly and does not mark a polished surface.
Thirty four pieces ship in total: the standard thirty two plus a spare queen in each colour. That extra pair matters more than it sounds. Promote twice in a long game and you are not reaching for an upturned rook.
Most hand carved Staunton sets sold in Australia sit somewhere between 85mm and 95mm, built around the tournament standard. This one deliberately does not. A 66mm king is a different proposition: lighter, more compact, and far easier to house on a small table or a folding travel set.
What it keeps is the carving. Knight, bishop and rook are shaped by hand rather than pressed from a mould, and the boxwood is the same species used further up the range. What it gives up is presence. These pieces will not command a room the way a heavier, taller set does, and they are not intended to.
If you want weight in the hand and a set that anchors a large playing surface, work through the rest of our chess pieces collection before committing. If you want genuine hand carving on a modest footprint, this is the shortest route to it.
This is the one thing worth getting right before you order, because a 66mm king is small and a poor pairing shows immediately. The maker specifies squares between 40mm and 50mm. Within that window, 40mm to 45mm gives a full, well populated setup where the pieces sit close to the edge of their squares and the opening position looks dense.
Push out towards 50mm and the same set reads more open, with visible space around each base. Some players prefer exactly that, especially for study and analysis where clarity matters more than density. Go beyond 50mm and the 32mm bases start to look stranded. Square size is listed on every entry in our chess boards collection, so check that figure rather than the overall outside dimension, which varies with border width.
Hand carving is not only an aesthetic choice. A carved knight carries undercuts and a defined mane that a moulded piece cannot reproduce, and those details are what let you identify a piece by feel as much as by sight when you are moving quickly in a time scramble.
The varnish sits thin enough to leave the natural boxwood grain visible while sealing the surface against constant handling. The green felt on every base does the practical work: it stops the pieces scratching a polished top and takes the click out of each move.
Both colours start as the same timber, Gardenia latifolia. The light side is left natural, so the grain, the pale honey tone and the small variations from piece to piece are all on show. The dark side is ebonised, dyed through rather than coloured on the surface alone, which produces an even near black finish without the cost of true ebony.
The practical consequence is that the two sides age differently. Natural boxwood warms and deepens with handling over the years. Ebonised boxwood stays close to where it started. Both do best kept out of direct sunlight, which is the main cause of fading and of turned timber drying out.
The carving standard here is a real step up on the moulded sets this competes with, and the two spare queens are a practical inclusion rather than a marketing one. The caveat is mass: thirty four pieces totalling roughly 500 grams averages out light per piece, so anyone expecting the planted feel of a double weighted tournament set will be disappointed and should look further up the range.
It suits a first hand carved set, a compact table, or a gift for someone who plays casually and cares how the pieces look. It does not suit a club player who wants tournament dimensions.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Players who want hand carved timber on a small footprint: home setups, compact tables and relaxed club nights. They also make a sensible first real set for someone moving up from plastic. A serious tournament player will want something taller and heavier.
Between 40mm and 50mm, with 40mm to 45mm the closest fit given the 32mm base. Measure a single square on your playing surface rather than the outside dimension, because border widths vary a great deal between makers.
No. This is a pieces only listing: no chess board and no storage box are supplied. You receive the thirty four chessmen and nothing further, so plan for a playing surface and storage separately.
Wipe with a dry or barely damp soft cloth and keep the pieces out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. Boxwood is dense but it still responds to humidity swings. Never soak a piece and never use solvent based cleaners on the varnish.
The differences are height, mass and presence. A set with an 85mm to 95mm king carries more weight and holds a large playing surface better, while this one is easier to place on a small table. Browse our wood chess pieces collection to see the sizes above this one.
Yes. Thirty four pieces ship in total: the standard thirty two plus one spare queen in each colour. It means you can promote a second pawn without borrowing a captured rook and hoping everyone remembers what it stands for.
Spec |
Detail |
Style |
Staunton, hand carved |
King height |
66mm (2.6 inches) |
King base diameter |
32mm (1.2 inches) |
Piece count |
34 chessmen, including 2 spare queens |
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
Finish |
Varnished, with thick green felt bases |
Recommended square size |
40mm to 50mm |
Set weight |
Approximately 500 grams, tolerance plus or minus 10 percent |
34 chess pieces in ebonised boxwood and natural boxwood
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.
