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Craftsman Staunton 98mm Chess Pieces

Craftsman Staunton 98mm Chess Pieces

by Sterling Chess
$469.00

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Description

Craftsman Staunton 98mm Chess Pieces

The Craftsman chessmen are dedicated to the master artisans who designed them, and the knight is where that dedication shows. It wears a mohawk mane, cut in symmetry with the simplicity of the rest of the army.

Everything else is quiet. King, queen, bishops and rooks are plain Staunton shapes carrying no ornament, and that restraint leaves the horse room to be the thing you notice.

The knight is no ornament for a shelf either. This design of chess knight was also observed in the Sinquefield Cup tournament.

The king measures 98mm, and every piece is heavily weighted at the base, making them a delight to hold and play with. Five dark options carry the pattern, and they arrive in two builds.

Look for it in our staunton chess pieces.

 Craftsman Staunton chess pieces in rosewood and boxwood

Key features

  • A Craftsman Staunton built around a mohawk maned knight, with the rest of the army kept deliberately plain
  • Plain, simple shapes standing under that knight, so the one worked piece is the one your eye goes to
  • Simple bases, simple collars and no fussy detail anywhere, so the army is quick to set up and quick to read
  • Heavily weighted at the base whichever timber you take, making the chessmen a delight to hold and to play with
  • A weighted build on the Rosewood, Ebonised and Golden Rosewood options, which are the lighter three of the five
  • A double weighted build on Bud Rosewood and on Ebony Wood, a different build and not a superior one
  • The set includes four queens, so both colours have a spare standing ready the moment a pawn goes through
  • The chessmen ship on their own, with no board under them and nothing supplied to keep them in

About the pieces

The Craftsman is a plain Staunton with one loud piece in it. That mohawk mane answers the plainness of the other chessmen, and the balance between the two is the whole idea.

In play the plainness pays. A full board reads cleanly, bishop and rook are never mistaken for one another at a glance, and the horse tells you where the action is.

Weighting is heavy at the base on every option, and that is the reason they are a delight to hold. Pieces settle where you put them and a quick game does not leave the position wandering.

The five options are not one set in different clothes. Three of them are weighted and two are double weighted, so the Bud Rosewood and Ebony Wood armies sit heavier in the hand than the other three.

These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm. The king is broad at the foot, so the back rank stands well across that window and the wider end leaves a little more board showing.

 Ebony wood Craftsman Staunton chessmen with their mohawk maned knights

Weighted or double weighted

One design, two builds. Rosewood, Ebonised and Golden Rosewood are weighted. Bud Rosewood and Ebony Wood are double weighted. Nothing else about the chessmen moves between them.

The weighted three come to 1,200 grams and the double weighted pair to 1,550 grams. That gap is the one real difference between the five, and it is felt the moment a piece is lifted.

Everything after that is a question of looks. All five options are photographed on this listing, so put them side by side and take the one you would rather look at.

Neither build is an upgrade on the other. A heavier army suits a player who likes to feel a piece land; a lighter one suits quick hands and a long session. Same design, same scale, two answers.

Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.

Our expert take

A mohawk mane on an otherwise quiet army is a confident piece of design, and it is what I would buy this set for. It is the first thing anybody picks up off the board.

I would settle the build before the timber. The double weighted pair are the heavier army and the weighted three are the lighter one, and that is a preference about hands, not a question of quality.

Four queens matter more than they sound. Two spares mean a promotion never stops the game while somebody hunts through the captured pieces for an upturned rook.

Where it does not work is in a room that wants everything quiet. If the horse is too much for the place you are putting it, look through our minimalist chess pieces for something plainer.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Golden rosewood Craftsman Staunton chess pieces beside the boxwood light army

Frequently asked questions
Do all five options weigh the same?

No. There are two builds here. Rosewood, Ebonised and Golden Rosewood come to 1,200 grams; the Bud Rosewood and the Ebony Wood are the double weighted pair, at 1,550 grams.

What is a mohawk mane?

It is the crest on the horse, cut as a single raised ridge along the neck. The shape is the signature of this series and it is the only flourish anywhere in the army.

Has this knight been seen in serious play?

Yes. This design of knight was seen at the Sinquefield Cup tournament.

Are there spare queens?

Yes. Four queens are packed, so each colour has a second one waiting when a pawn gets through.

How many pieces are supplied?

34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.

Is a board or a storage box included?

No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

98mm high (3.9 inch), 41mm base

Queen

82mm high (3.2 inch), 38mm base

Bishop

76mm high (3.0 inch), 36mm base

Knight

70mm high (2.8 inch), 36mm base

Rook

60mm high (2.4 inch), 34mm base

Pawn

53mm high (2.1 inch), 30mm base

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebonised option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebony Wood option

Ebony wood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, all five options

98mm

Weighting, Rosewood option

Weighted

Weighting, Bud Rosewood option

Double Weighted

Weighting, Ebonised option

Weighted

Weighting, Ebony Wood option

Double Weighted

Weighting, Golden Rosewood option

Weighted

Total weight, Rosewood option

1,200 grams (2.65 lbs)

Total weight, Bud Rosewood option

1,550 grams (3.4 lbs)

Total weight, Ebonised option

1,200 grams (2.65 lbs)

Total weight, Ebony Wood option

1,550 grams (3.4 lbs)

Total weight, Golden Rosewood option

1,200 grams (2.65 lbs)

Recommended square size

50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.17 inch)

Piece count

34, including four queens

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, including a spare queen of each colour
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.

Description

Craftsman Staunton 98mm Chess Pieces

The Craftsman chessmen are dedicated to the master artisans who designed them, and the knight is where that dedication shows. It wears a mohawk mane, cut in symmetry with the simplicity of the rest of the army.

Everything else is quiet. King, queen, bishops and rooks are plain Staunton shapes carrying no ornament, and that restraint leaves the horse room to be the thing you notice.

The knight is no ornament for a shelf either. This design of chess knight was also observed in the Sinquefield Cup tournament.

The king measures 98mm, and every piece is heavily weighted at the base, making them a delight to hold and play with. Five dark options carry the pattern, and they arrive in two builds.

Look for it in our staunton chess pieces.

 Craftsman Staunton chess pieces in rosewood and boxwood

Key features

  • A Craftsman Staunton built around a mohawk maned knight, with the rest of the army kept deliberately plain
  • Plain, simple shapes standing under that knight, so the one worked piece is the one your eye goes to
  • Simple bases, simple collars and no fussy detail anywhere, so the army is quick to set up and quick to read
  • Heavily weighted at the base whichever timber you take, making the chessmen a delight to hold and to play with
  • A weighted build on the Rosewood, Ebonised and Golden Rosewood options, which are the lighter three of the five
  • A double weighted build on Bud Rosewood and on Ebony Wood, a different build and not a superior one
  • The set includes four queens, so both colours have a spare standing ready the moment a pawn goes through
  • The chessmen ship on their own, with no board under them and nothing supplied to keep them in

About the pieces

The Craftsman is a plain Staunton with one loud piece in it. That mohawk mane answers the plainness of the other chessmen, and the balance between the two is the whole idea.

In play the plainness pays. A full board reads cleanly, bishop and rook are never mistaken for one another at a glance, and the horse tells you where the action is.

Weighting is heavy at the base on every option, and that is the reason they are a delight to hold. Pieces settle where you put them and a quick game does not leave the position wandering.

The five options are not one set in different clothes. Three of them are weighted and two are double weighted, so the Bud Rosewood and Ebony Wood armies sit heavier in the hand than the other three.

These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm. The king is broad at the foot, so the back rank stands well across that window and the wider end leaves a little more board showing.

 Ebony wood Craftsman Staunton chessmen with their mohawk maned knights

Weighted or double weighted

One design, two builds. Rosewood, Ebonised and Golden Rosewood are weighted. Bud Rosewood and Ebony Wood are double weighted. Nothing else about the chessmen moves between them.

The weighted three come to 1,200 grams and the double weighted pair to 1,550 grams. That gap is the one real difference between the five, and it is felt the moment a piece is lifted.

Everything after that is a question of looks. All five options are photographed on this listing, so put them side by side and take the one you would rather look at.

Neither build is an upgrade on the other. A heavier army suits a player who likes to feel a piece land; a lighter one suits quick hands and a long session. Same design, same scale, two answers.

Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.

Our expert take

A mohawk mane on an otherwise quiet army is a confident piece of design, and it is what I would buy this set for. It is the first thing anybody picks up off the board.

I would settle the build before the timber. The double weighted pair are the heavier army and the weighted three are the lighter one, and that is a preference about hands, not a question of quality.

Four queens matter more than they sound. Two spares mean a promotion never stops the game while somebody hunts through the captured pieces for an upturned rook.

Where it does not work is in a room that wants everything quiet. If the horse is too much for the place you are putting it, look through our minimalist chess pieces for something plainer.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Golden rosewood Craftsman Staunton chess pieces beside the boxwood light army

Frequently asked questions
Do all five options weigh the same?

No. There are two builds here. Rosewood, Ebonised and Golden Rosewood come to 1,200 grams; the Bud Rosewood and the Ebony Wood are the double weighted pair, at 1,550 grams.

What is a mohawk mane?

It is the crest on the horse, cut as a single raised ridge along the neck. The shape is the signature of this series and it is the only flourish anywhere in the army.

Has this knight been seen in serious play?

Yes. This design of knight was seen at the Sinquefield Cup tournament.

Are there spare queens?

Yes. Four queens are packed, so each colour has a second one waiting when a pawn gets through.

How many pieces are supplied?

34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.

Is a board or a storage box included?

No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

98mm high (3.9 inch), 41mm base

Queen

82mm high (3.2 inch), 38mm base

Bishop

76mm high (3.0 inch), 36mm base

Knight

70mm high (2.8 inch), 36mm base

Rook

60mm high (2.4 inch), 34mm base

Pawn

53mm high (2.1 inch), 30mm base

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebonised option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebony Wood option

Ebony wood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, all five options

98mm

Weighting, Rosewood option

Weighted

Weighting, Bud Rosewood option

Double Weighted

Weighting, Ebonised option

Weighted

Weighting, Ebony Wood option

Double Weighted

Weighting, Golden Rosewood option

Weighted

Total weight, Rosewood option

1,200 grams (2.65 lbs)

Total weight, Bud Rosewood option

1,550 grams (3.4 lbs)

Total weight, Ebonised option

1,200 grams (2.65 lbs)

Total weight, Ebony Wood option

1,550 grams (3.4 lbs)

Total weight, Golden Rosewood option

1,200 grams (2.65 lbs)

Recommended square size

50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.17 inch)

Piece count

34, including four queens

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, including a spare queen of each colour
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.