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This is the compact end of the bridle knight, and the proportions are what make it interesting. A 91mm king is short by our standards, but it sits on a 42mm base, which is what you would normally find under a king 12mm to 15mm taller. The set is broad and low rather than tall and tapered.
The queen goes further: her base is 43mm, a millimetre wider than the king's. That is genuinely unusual, and on the board it means the two royal pieces occupy the same footprint and are told apart by the crown rather than by bulk.
Genuine ebony heartwood against boxwood, weighted to 1,200g. It is the smallest bridle pattern we carry and the least expensive of the ebony ones. It sits in our Staunton chess pieces range.
The bridle knight runs across several of our sets and they sit at different heights: 95mm, 103mm, 107mm in three timbers, and 123mm at the top. At 91mm this one is the shortest, and it is the only one that would suit someone who finds a full sized set too imposing on a small table.
What it does not give up is footprint. Because the base is 42mm rather than the 38mm you might expect at this height, it still wants 55mm squares, the same as the 103mm and 107mm patterns. If you were hoping a shorter set would let you use a smaller board, it will not.
On timber it is genuine ebony heartwood, which is the same dark side as the ebony patterns at 107mm and 123mm and rather more than most sets at this price offer. Compare the family across our wood chess pieces range.
Height and base diameter usually move together. Drop the king and the foot comes in with it, which is why a 91mm set normally sits comfortably on 50mm squares. This one does not follow that rule: the base stays at 42mm, so the pieces are stouter and the back rank is fuller than the height suggests.
The practical effects are both real. Stability is excellent, better than any tall narrow set can manage, and the pieces feel more substantial in the hand than 1,200g across 34 would imply. Against that, you need the same board you would need for a set 15mm taller, and on 50mm squares the officers will touch.
The bridle is cut as a raised band running from behind the ear, down across the cheek and over the muzzle, with a browband above the eye. It is a nineteenth century English idea and it gives the knight a harnessed, working look rather than the bare heroic head most Staunton sets inherit.
At 72mm these knights are on the small side for the detail, so the strap is cut shallower here than it is on the 123mm version of the pattern. It still reads clearly in the hand. Each knight is carved freehand, so the four in your set will differ a little in the run of the strap and the set of the head, while every other piece is turned against a metal profile and comes out consistent.
The dark side is ebony heartwood, not boxwood dyed or stained black. That distinction matters more over time than it does on day one: a dyed piece carries its colour on the surface, and years of handling lift it off the high points, while ebony shows the same dark timber all the way through.
It is also denser, which is part of where the hand feel comes from. Keep the set out of direct sun and wipe it with a dry cloth. No board ships with these pieces. Square sizes are listed on every board in our chess boards collection, and the wider chess pieces collection lists the recommendation on each set.
This is the set for someone who wants the bridle knight and genuine ebony but not the table presence of a 107mm or 123mm set. At 91mm it is noticeably more compact, and the wide 42mm base keeps it feeling substantial rather than dainty, which is the trap most short sets fall into. Two honest caveats. It still needs 55mm squares despite the height, so it will not solve a small board problem. And at 72mm the knights are small enough that the bridle strap is cut shallower than on the taller patterns, so if the carving is your main reason for buying, the bigger versions show it better. For everything else, this is the most sensible ebony bridle in the range.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. That is driven by the 42mm king base, not the 91mm height. A shorter king does not mean a smaller board here, and on 50mm squares the back rank will crowd.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed or stained black. The colour runs through the timber, so it will not wear off the high points over years of handling.
Height, mostly. This is 91mm where the others run 95mm to 123mm. The base stays wide at 42mm, so it needs the same 55mm squares, and the smaller knights carry the bridle strap in a shallower cut.
It is how the pattern is turned: 43mm for the queen against 42mm for the king. On the board the two royals occupy the same footprint and are told apart by the crown rather than by bulk.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
91mm (3.58 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.65 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
43mm |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
60mm (2.4 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,200g 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.
This is the compact end of the bridle knight, and the proportions are what make it interesting. A 91mm king is short by our standards, but it sits on a 42mm base, which is what you would normally find under a king 12mm to 15mm taller. The set is broad and low rather than tall and tapered.
The queen goes further: her base is 43mm, a millimetre wider than the king's. That is genuinely unusual, and on the board it means the two royal pieces occupy the same footprint and are told apart by the crown rather than by bulk.
Genuine ebony heartwood against boxwood, weighted to 1,200g. It is the smallest bridle pattern we carry and the least expensive of the ebony ones. It sits in our Staunton chess pieces range.
The bridle knight runs across several of our sets and they sit at different heights: 95mm, 103mm, 107mm in three timbers, and 123mm at the top. At 91mm this one is the shortest, and it is the only one that would suit someone who finds a full sized set too imposing on a small table.
What it does not give up is footprint. Because the base is 42mm rather than the 38mm you might expect at this height, it still wants 55mm squares, the same as the 103mm and 107mm patterns. If you were hoping a shorter set would let you use a smaller board, it will not.
On timber it is genuine ebony heartwood, which is the same dark side as the ebony patterns at 107mm and 123mm and rather more than most sets at this price offer. Compare the family across our wood chess pieces range.
Height and base diameter usually move together. Drop the king and the foot comes in with it, which is why a 91mm set normally sits comfortably on 50mm squares. This one does not follow that rule: the base stays at 42mm, so the pieces are stouter and the back rank is fuller than the height suggests.
The practical effects are both real. Stability is excellent, better than any tall narrow set can manage, and the pieces feel more substantial in the hand than 1,200g across 34 would imply. Against that, you need the same board you would need for a set 15mm taller, and on 50mm squares the officers will touch.
The bridle is cut as a raised band running from behind the ear, down across the cheek and over the muzzle, with a browband above the eye. It is a nineteenth century English idea and it gives the knight a harnessed, working look rather than the bare heroic head most Staunton sets inherit.
At 72mm these knights are on the small side for the detail, so the strap is cut shallower here than it is on the 123mm version of the pattern. It still reads clearly in the hand. Each knight is carved freehand, so the four in your set will differ a little in the run of the strap and the set of the head, while every other piece is turned against a metal profile and comes out consistent.
The dark side is ebony heartwood, not boxwood dyed or stained black. That distinction matters more over time than it does on day one: a dyed piece carries its colour on the surface, and years of handling lift it off the high points, while ebony shows the same dark timber all the way through.
It is also denser, which is part of where the hand feel comes from. Keep the set out of direct sun and wipe it with a dry cloth. No board ships with these pieces. Square sizes are listed on every board in our chess boards collection, and the wider chess pieces collection lists the recommendation on each set.
This is the set for someone who wants the bridle knight and genuine ebony but not the table presence of a 107mm or 123mm set. At 91mm it is noticeably more compact, and the wide 42mm base keeps it feeling substantial rather than dainty, which is the trap most short sets fall into. Two honest caveats. It still needs 55mm squares despite the height, so it will not solve a small board problem. And at 72mm the knights are small enough that the bridle strap is cut shallower than on the taller patterns, so if the carving is your main reason for buying, the bigger versions show it better. For everything else, this is the most sensible ebony bridle in the range.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. That is driven by the 42mm king base, not the 91mm height. A shorter king does not mean a smaller board here, and on 50mm squares the back rank will crowd.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed or stained black. The colour runs through the timber, so it will not wear off the high points over years of handling.
Height, mostly. This is 91mm where the others run 95mm to 123mm. The base stays wide at 42mm, so it needs the same 55mm squares, and the smaller knights carry the bridle strap in a shallower cut.
It is how the pattern is turned: 43mm for the queen against 42mm for the king. On the board the two royals occupy the same footprint and are told apart by the crown rather than by bulk.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
91mm (3.58 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.65 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
43mm |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
60mm (2.4 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,200g 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.
