✔ Australian Owned & Operated
✔ FREE Shipping On All Orders
✔ 100 Day FREE Returns
✔ Authorised Australian Dealer
✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
The Collector Series in sheesham and boxwood is a compact Staunton set for people who want real timber under their hand without committing to a full tournament footprint. The 66mm king suits smaller boards, coffee tables and shelves where a 95mm set would crowd the squares. It is a sensible first wooden set from our Staunton chess pieces range, and an easy second set to leave out where the family will actually use it.
The dark pieces are turned from sheesham, an Indian rosewood with a warm reddish brown grain that varies from piece to piece. The light side is boxwood, close grained and pale, which holds crisp detail on the knight manes and the bishop mitres. Both are polished rather than lacquered, so the timber keeps a soft sheen instead of a hard gloss.
Thirty four pieces ship in the set, which means two spare queens rather than the usual thirty two. Bases are finished with thick green felt, so the pieces glide instead of scraping and the playing surface stays unmarked.
Most wooden Staunton sets sold in Australia are built around a 95mm king and a 55mm square, which is the tournament standard. The Collector Series works to a smaller scale. At 66mm the king is closer to what fits a folding board or a compact inlaid board, and that makes it a practical choice for anyone whose playing space is a kitchen table rather than a club hall.
The trade for that compact size is an honest one. You get genuine sheesham and boxwood rather than stained hardwood or moulded resin, hand turning on every piece, and felted bases, all at the accessible end of the wider wood chess pieces range. What you do not get is the heft of a double weighted tournament set, and the carving is clean rather than highly ornamented.
The Collector Series is also offered in an ebonised boxwood finish for buyers who prefer a black and cream contrast to the natural reddish brown of sheesham. Both are the same series at the same scale, so the choice between them is purely one of colour and grain.
Sheesham is a true rosewood and it behaves like one. No two dark pieces match exactly, because the grain runs differently through each blank and the colour shifts between a mid brown and a deeper red depending on where in the log the piece was cut. Set the sixteen dark pieces up together and that variation reads as depth rather than inconsistency.
Boxwood on the light side does the opposite job. It is dense and almost featureless, which is why carvers have used it for fine detail work for centuries. The knight head and the crown work on the queen stay legible at this scale because boxwood does not fight the chisel.
Square size matters more than overall size. A 66mm king wants squares between 40mm and 50mm, which gives the 30mm base room to sit centrally with clear space around it. Go smaller and the pieces crowd each other; go much larger and the set looks lost on the surface.
Most folding and compact inlaid designs fall inside that range, so the Collector Series pairs easily with them. If you are buying at the same time, check the square measurement rather than the overall dimensions, and browse the Sterling Chess chess boards collection for options in the right size.
There is a difference between a set that lives in a cupboard and one that stays on the table. The Collector Series is built for the second job. It is small enough not to dominate a side table, the felted bases mean it can be moved without marking whatever is underneath, and at around 500g the whole set travels in a bag without weighing it down.
That also makes it a straightforward gift. It reads as a proper wooden chess set rather than a novelty, and the two spare queens mean a newer player is not improvising with an upturned rook the first time a pawn reaches the eighth rank.
The timber pairing is the real strength here. Genuine sheesham rosewood on the dark side and close grained boxwood on the light side is not something you commonly find at the accessible end of a wooden range, and the two spare queens are a thoughtful inclusion at this scale. The caveat is mass: roughly 500g spread across 34 pieces averages about 15 grams each, so these are lightly weighted and will never feel like a double weighted tournament set.
Buy them for a home board, a first wooden set or a gift, and look further up the range if you want pieces that plant themselves on the square and stay put when the board gets knocked.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Home players, families and anyone buying a first wooden set. The 66mm king and the light overall weight make them easy to handle and easy to store, which suits casual and social play more than serious club competition. They also work well as a gift for someone who has only ever played on a plastic set.
Squares between 40mm and 50mm. That leaves clear space around the 30mm king base without the pieces looking undersized. Measure a single square rather than the overall dimensions, since those include the border.
The set includes two spare queens, one in sheesham and one in boxwood. They cover pawn promotion, which comes up often enough that improvising with a captured piece gets old quickly.
Wipe them with a dry, soft cloth and keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. The polish is a surface finish, so avoid household cleaners and solvents. A light application of furniture wax once a year is enough to stop the timber drying out.
No. This is a pieces only listing, so neither a board nor a storage box is included. Pair them with any playing surface carrying 40mm to 50mm squares, or browse the full chess pieces collection to compare sizes across the range.
Spec |
Detail |
Series |
Collector Series |
King height |
66mm (2.6 inches) |
King base diameter |
30mm (1.2 inches) |
Dark pieces |
Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) |
Light pieces |
Boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
Number of pieces |
34, including two spare queens |
Recommended square size |
40mm to 50mm |
Set weight |
Approximately 500g |
Base finish |
Thick green felt |
Surface finish |
Polished |
Board |
Not included |
Storage box |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in sheesham and 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.
The Collector Series in sheesham and boxwood is a compact Staunton set for people who want real timber under their hand without committing to a full tournament footprint. The 66mm king suits smaller boards, coffee tables and shelves where a 95mm set would crowd the squares. It is a sensible first wooden set from our Staunton chess pieces range, and an easy second set to leave out where the family will actually use it.
The dark pieces are turned from sheesham, an Indian rosewood with a warm reddish brown grain that varies from piece to piece. The light side is boxwood, close grained and pale, which holds crisp detail on the knight manes and the bishop mitres. Both are polished rather than lacquered, so the timber keeps a soft sheen instead of a hard gloss.
Thirty four pieces ship in the set, which means two spare queens rather than the usual thirty two. Bases are finished with thick green felt, so the pieces glide instead of scraping and the playing surface stays unmarked.
Most wooden Staunton sets sold in Australia are built around a 95mm king and a 55mm square, which is the tournament standard. The Collector Series works to a smaller scale. At 66mm the king is closer to what fits a folding board or a compact inlaid board, and that makes it a practical choice for anyone whose playing space is a kitchen table rather than a club hall.
The trade for that compact size is an honest one. You get genuine sheesham and boxwood rather than stained hardwood or moulded resin, hand turning on every piece, and felted bases, all at the accessible end of the wider wood chess pieces range. What you do not get is the heft of a double weighted tournament set, and the carving is clean rather than highly ornamented.
The Collector Series is also offered in an ebonised boxwood finish for buyers who prefer a black and cream contrast to the natural reddish brown of sheesham. Both are the same series at the same scale, so the choice between them is purely one of colour and grain.
Sheesham is a true rosewood and it behaves like one. No two dark pieces match exactly, because the grain runs differently through each blank and the colour shifts between a mid brown and a deeper red depending on where in the log the piece was cut. Set the sixteen dark pieces up together and that variation reads as depth rather than inconsistency.
Boxwood on the light side does the opposite job. It is dense and almost featureless, which is why carvers have used it for fine detail work for centuries. The knight head and the crown work on the queen stay legible at this scale because boxwood does not fight the chisel.
Square size matters more than overall size. A 66mm king wants squares between 40mm and 50mm, which gives the 30mm base room to sit centrally with clear space around it. Go smaller and the pieces crowd each other; go much larger and the set looks lost on the surface.
Most folding and compact inlaid designs fall inside that range, so the Collector Series pairs easily with them. If you are buying at the same time, check the square measurement rather than the overall dimensions, and browse the Sterling Chess chess boards collection for options in the right size.
There is a difference between a set that lives in a cupboard and one that stays on the table. The Collector Series is built for the second job. It is small enough not to dominate a side table, the felted bases mean it can be moved without marking whatever is underneath, and at around 500g the whole set travels in a bag without weighing it down.
That also makes it a straightforward gift. It reads as a proper wooden chess set rather than a novelty, and the two spare queens mean a newer player is not improvising with an upturned rook the first time a pawn reaches the eighth rank.
The timber pairing is the real strength here. Genuine sheesham rosewood on the dark side and close grained boxwood on the light side is not something you commonly find at the accessible end of a wooden range, and the two spare queens are a thoughtful inclusion at this scale. The caveat is mass: roughly 500g spread across 34 pieces averages about 15 grams each, so these are lightly weighted and will never feel like a double weighted tournament set.
Buy them for a home board, a first wooden set or a gift, and look further up the range if you want pieces that plant themselves on the square and stay put when the board gets knocked.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Home players, families and anyone buying a first wooden set. The 66mm king and the light overall weight make them easy to handle and easy to store, which suits casual and social play more than serious club competition. They also work well as a gift for someone who has only ever played on a plastic set.
Squares between 40mm and 50mm. That leaves clear space around the 30mm king base without the pieces looking undersized. Measure a single square rather than the overall dimensions, since those include the border.
The set includes two spare queens, one in sheesham and one in boxwood. They cover pawn promotion, which comes up often enough that improvising with a captured piece gets old quickly.
Wipe them with a dry, soft cloth and keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. The polish is a surface finish, so avoid household cleaners and solvents. A light application of furniture wax once a year is enough to stop the timber drying out.
No. This is a pieces only listing, so neither a board nor a storage box is included. Pair them with any playing surface carrying 40mm to 50mm squares, or browse the full chess pieces collection to compare sizes across the range.
Spec |
Detail |
Series |
Collector Series |
King height |
66mm (2.6 inches) |
King base diameter |
30mm (1.2 inches) |
Dark pieces |
Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) |
Light pieces |
Boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
Number of pieces |
34, including two spare queens |
Recommended square size |
40mm to 50mm |
Set weight |
Approximately 500g |
Base finish |
Thick green felt |
Surface finish |
Polished |
Board |
Not included |
Storage box |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in sheesham and 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.
