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This is a board sold on its own, made in Spain, and the surface is the reason to buy it. The board is 55cm square with 55mm squares, so eight squares give a 44cm playing grid, and the timber pairing is yours to choose: black dyed poplar against olive, black dyed poplar against white erable, grey ash burl against white erable, blue ash burl against white erable, or red ash burl against maple.
All of them are veneer. That is what allows the swirling figure of a burl to run across a full rank of squares, and it is why a board of this footprint still weighs between 2,900g and 3,072g rather than something you need two hands and a plan for. It can be lifted off a table one handed and shelved upright between games.
Finish and thickness are not shared across the group, so the sections below set out what changes with each pairing. The recommended king base is 40mm to 45mm on every one of them. Other square sizes and timbers sit across our chess boards collection.
The timber boards on this site divide fairly cleanly. On one side sit the deep, heavy boards in sheesham, ebony and bud rosewood, where the mass is the argument. On the other sit the Spanish boards, of which this is one, where the argument is the surface: dyed poplar, ash burl and olive laid as veneer, in figure a plain plank will not give you.
A close comparison is our 53cm sheesham and maple board with 55mm squares, which shares this board's 55mm squares and the same 40mm to 45mm king base recommendation. That one is sheesham and maple at 53cm, and it carries considerably more weight. This one is larger across, lighter to handle and far more decorative. Neither is the upgrade; they answer different questions.
Step up a size in the same Spanish range and you reach the 60cm board with 60mm squares, cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm. The pieces decide between them rather than taste, because 45mm sits at the top of this board's window and at the foot of that one's. Anything larger belongs on the bigger board.
The measurement that decides fit is the diameter of the king's base, not the height of the king. Two sets that stand at the same height can differ by ten millimetres at the foot, and it is the foot that has to share a 55mm square. Every pairing on this board is recommended for a king base of 40mm to 45mm.
At that ratio the king covers roughly three quarters of its square and the pawns keep a clear margin around them. Go below the window and the army looks stranded in the middle of the board; go above it and adjacent bases begin to touch, which makes a crowded middlegame harder to read at a glance.
The Reproduction 1849 Original Staunton in heavy ebony stands 95mm to the king on a 40mm base, which puts it at the lower end of the window and makes it a straightforward fit here. If you are pairing this board with a set you already own, measure the widest point of the king's base with a ruler before ordering. The height quoted on a set is not a reliable guide to its footprint.
Finish is not shared across this listing. The black dyed poplar pairings, with olive and with white erable, are matte: the surface reads as timber rather than lacquer, and it does not throw a lamp back at you. The ash burl pairings, in grey, blue and red, are hi-gloss.
Gloss deepens figure. Burl is a chaotic, unpredictable grain, and a shiny surface makes it look wet and noticeably darker, which is most of the reason to choose it. It also picks up fingerprints and reflects a ceiling light, so it rewards a room where you control the lighting. Matte is the calmer choice for a board that stays out on a table under whatever light the room happens to have.
One difference sits underneath the finish rather than on it. The red ash burl and maple pairing is built to 12mm where the rest of the listing is 13mm. It is a millimetre, not a redesign, and the footprint, the squares and the recommended base are unchanged, but the figure is listed against each pairing in the specification below so you can see exactly what you are ordering.
A 55cm board needs more room than the number suggests. Captured pieces have to go somewhere and two players need forearm space either side, so measure the table before ordering rather than after the carton arrives. On most dining tables it leaves a comfortable margin; on a small side table it will not.
The weight is what separates this from a folding travel board without turning it into furniture. Between 2,900g and 3,072g depending on the pairing, it stays where it is put on a smooth table and still moves between rooms easily. These are handmade items, so the finished weight can vary by up to 10 percent either way.
Care is simple. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat vents, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and do not stand a drink on the playing surface. The hi-gloss pairings show fingerprints sooner than the matte ones, so they want wiping down more often, which is worth knowing before you choose.
The reason to look at this board is the surface: veneer is what makes grey, blue and red ash burl possible across a full 55cm board, and the black dyed poplar pairings give you the same trick in something quieter. At 13mm, and 12mm on the red ash burl and maple pairing, it is a lighter build than the 20mm and 22mm timber boards we carry at a similar footprint, so it will not plant itself on a table the way a thicker board does. The 40mm to 45mm base window also rules out the larger luxury patterns, so measure what you own before ordering. It suits a player with a club standard set who wants some character under the game rather than another plain chequerboard.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own, so the playing set is chosen and bought separately.
Pieces with a king base of 40mm to 45mm. Measure the widest part of the king's base rather than going by the height of the set, then compare it against our Staunton chess pieces.
The black dyed poplar pairings, with olive and with white erable, are matte. The grey ash burl, blue ash burl and red ash burl pairings are hi-gloss.
Almost. The red ash burl and maple pairing is 12mm; the rest of the listing is 13mm. The 55cm footprint, the 55mm squares and the recommended base are the same throughout.
Spain. Each pairing is built as veneer in the timbers named on the option, and the board measures 55cm across in every case.
Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and avoid standing drinks on the playing surface. The hi-gloss pairings show fingerprints more readily and benefit from a more regular wipe.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
55cm x 55cm (21.6 inch) |
|
Square size |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Construction |
Veneer |
|
Origin |
Made in Spain |
|
Black dyed poplar and olive |
Matte finish, 13mm thick, 2,900g |
|
Black dyed poplar and white erable |
Matte finish, 13mm thick, 3,044g |
|
Grey ash burl and white erable |
Hi-gloss finish, 13mm thick, 3,072g |
|
Blue ash burl and white erable |
Hi-gloss finish, 13mm thick, 3,006g |
|
Red ash burl and maple |
Hi-gloss finish, 12mm thick, 2,950g |
|
Recommended king base |
40mm to 45mm (1.5 inch to 1.8 inch) |
|
Weight tolerance |
Handmade, up to 10 percent either way |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
One 55cm veneer chess board with 55mm squares, made in Spain
In your choice of timber pairing and finish
Playing sets are sold separately and are not part of this listing
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.
This is a board sold on its own, made in Spain, and the surface is the reason to buy it. The board is 55cm square with 55mm squares, so eight squares give a 44cm playing grid, and the timber pairing is yours to choose: black dyed poplar against olive, black dyed poplar against white erable, grey ash burl against white erable, blue ash burl against white erable, or red ash burl against maple.
All of them are veneer. That is what allows the swirling figure of a burl to run across a full rank of squares, and it is why a board of this footprint still weighs between 2,900g and 3,072g rather than something you need two hands and a plan for. It can be lifted off a table one handed and shelved upright between games.
Finish and thickness are not shared across the group, so the sections below set out what changes with each pairing. The recommended king base is 40mm to 45mm on every one of them. Other square sizes and timbers sit across our chess boards collection.
The timber boards on this site divide fairly cleanly. On one side sit the deep, heavy boards in sheesham, ebony and bud rosewood, where the mass is the argument. On the other sit the Spanish boards, of which this is one, where the argument is the surface: dyed poplar, ash burl and olive laid as veneer, in figure a plain plank will not give you.
A close comparison is our 53cm sheesham and maple board with 55mm squares, which shares this board's 55mm squares and the same 40mm to 45mm king base recommendation. That one is sheesham and maple at 53cm, and it carries considerably more weight. This one is larger across, lighter to handle and far more decorative. Neither is the upgrade; they answer different questions.
Step up a size in the same Spanish range and you reach the 60cm board with 60mm squares, cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm. The pieces decide between them rather than taste, because 45mm sits at the top of this board's window and at the foot of that one's. Anything larger belongs on the bigger board.
The measurement that decides fit is the diameter of the king's base, not the height of the king. Two sets that stand at the same height can differ by ten millimetres at the foot, and it is the foot that has to share a 55mm square. Every pairing on this board is recommended for a king base of 40mm to 45mm.
At that ratio the king covers roughly three quarters of its square and the pawns keep a clear margin around them. Go below the window and the army looks stranded in the middle of the board; go above it and adjacent bases begin to touch, which makes a crowded middlegame harder to read at a glance.
The Reproduction 1849 Original Staunton in heavy ebony stands 95mm to the king on a 40mm base, which puts it at the lower end of the window and makes it a straightforward fit here. If you are pairing this board with a set you already own, measure the widest point of the king's base with a ruler before ordering. The height quoted on a set is not a reliable guide to its footprint.
Finish is not shared across this listing. The black dyed poplar pairings, with olive and with white erable, are matte: the surface reads as timber rather than lacquer, and it does not throw a lamp back at you. The ash burl pairings, in grey, blue and red, are hi-gloss.
Gloss deepens figure. Burl is a chaotic, unpredictable grain, and a shiny surface makes it look wet and noticeably darker, which is most of the reason to choose it. It also picks up fingerprints and reflects a ceiling light, so it rewards a room where you control the lighting. Matte is the calmer choice for a board that stays out on a table under whatever light the room happens to have.
One difference sits underneath the finish rather than on it. The red ash burl and maple pairing is built to 12mm where the rest of the listing is 13mm. It is a millimetre, not a redesign, and the footprint, the squares and the recommended base are unchanged, but the figure is listed against each pairing in the specification below so you can see exactly what you are ordering.
A 55cm board needs more room than the number suggests. Captured pieces have to go somewhere and two players need forearm space either side, so measure the table before ordering rather than after the carton arrives. On most dining tables it leaves a comfortable margin; on a small side table it will not.
The weight is what separates this from a folding travel board without turning it into furniture. Between 2,900g and 3,072g depending on the pairing, it stays where it is put on a smooth table and still moves between rooms easily. These are handmade items, so the finished weight can vary by up to 10 percent either way.
Care is simple. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat vents, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and do not stand a drink on the playing surface. The hi-gloss pairings show fingerprints sooner than the matte ones, so they want wiping down more often, which is worth knowing before you choose.
The reason to look at this board is the surface: veneer is what makes grey, blue and red ash burl possible across a full 55cm board, and the black dyed poplar pairings give you the same trick in something quieter. At 13mm, and 12mm on the red ash burl and maple pairing, it is a lighter build than the 20mm and 22mm timber boards we carry at a similar footprint, so it will not plant itself on a table the way a thicker board does. The 40mm to 45mm base window also rules out the larger luxury patterns, so measure what you own before ordering. It suits a player with a club standard set who wants some character under the game rather than another plain chequerboard.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own, so the playing set is chosen and bought separately.
Pieces with a king base of 40mm to 45mm. Measure the widest part of the king's base rather than going by the height of the set, then compare it against our Staunton chess pieces.
The black dyed poplar pairings, with olive and with white erable, are matte. The grey ash burl, blue ash burl and red ash burl pairings are hi-gloss.
Almost. The red ash burl and maple pairing is 12mm; the rest of the listing is 13mm. The 55cm footprint, the 55mm squares and the recommended base are the same throughout.
Spain. Each pairing is built as veneer in the timbers named on the option, and the board measures 55cm across in every case.
Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and avoid standing drinks on the playing surface. The hi-gloss pairings show fingerprints more readily and benefit from a more regular wipe.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
55cm x 55cm (21.6 inch) |
|
Square size |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Construction |
Veneer |
|
Origin |
Made in Spain |
|
Black dyed poplar and olive |
Matte finish, 13mm thick, 2,900g |
|
Black dyed poplar and white erable |
Matte finish, 13mm thick, 3,044g |
|
Grey ash burl and white erable |
Hi-gloss finish, 13mm thick, 3,072g |
|
Blue ash burl and white erable |
Hi-gloss finish, 13mm thick, 3,006g |
|
Red ash burl and maple |
Hi-gloss finish, 12mm thick, 2,950g |
|
Recommended king base |
40mm to 45mm (1.5 inch to 1.8 inch) |
|
Weight tolerance |
Handmade, up to 10 percent either way |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
One 55cm veneer chess board with 55mm squares, made in Spain
In your choice of timber pairing and finish
Playing sets are sold separately and are not part of this listing
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.
