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Genuine ebony on a board that fits an ordinary table. Ebony (Diospyros ebenum) is the dark timber most people picture when they think of a serious chess board, and it is usually found on large ones. This is 45.7cm across, which puts it on a coffee table, a desk corner or a dining table with room left over on every side.
The light squares are maple (Acer oblongum), pale and close grained, and against near black ebony the contrast is about as hard as timber gets. Squares are 45mm, so eight of them make a playing grid 36cm across with roughly 4.8cm of board around the outside. At 22mm in section this is a proper timber playing surface rather than something that folds or rolls.
It weighs 3,000g, enough to keep it planted without making it awkward to move, and it wants a set with a base in the low to middle thirties rather than a full sized tournament pattern. Larger surfaces and other timbers run across our chess boards collection.
Several boards on the site run these 45mm squares at a similar footprint, so the difference between them is timber, not size. The 46cm bud rosewood and maple board pairs a deep red brown bud rosewood with maple, a warmer and softer contrast that keeps more visible grain in the dark squares. Our 45cm Spanish board takes the same square size at a slimmer 12mm and is lighter in the hand. This board goes the other way, to near black ebony, which is the flattest and darkest of the three and gives the sharpest separation from the maple.
The 43cm ebony and maple board with a sheesham border is the closest relative of all, since it uses the same two timbers at 43cm. It adds a sheesham border around the play, which the board here does not have, and it is built lighter at 15mm through and 2,100g. This one is 22mm and 3,000g, so the trade between them is a framed edge on one side against a deeper, heavier surface on the other.
Against the compact boards that come bundled underneath a set, this is a different proposition. Those are cut thin to keep a package light. Twenty two millimetres on a 45.7cm board is more section than that footprint usually carries, which is what you feel when you set a piece down on it rather than something you can see in a photograph.
Base diameter is the number that decides the fit, not the height of the king. Two sets standing at the same height often differ by eight or ten millimetres at the foot, and the foot is what has to share the square. On 45mm squares the sensible target is a king base somewhere between about 30mm and 38mm.
The reasoning is proportional and worth doing rather than taking on trust. A base covering roughly three quarters of its square leaves a clear margin of timber all round, and three quarters of 45mm is about 34mm. That is the middle of the useful window. Push towards 38mm and the back rank fills handsomely but tightly, with only a few millimetres showing between neighbouring feet. Drop much below 30mm and the army starts to look small against 36cm of playing grid, particularly late in a game.
Compact reproduction and analysis patterns are the natural match. The Reproduction French Lardy Compact 76mm stands on a 31mm base and is drawn for 40mm to 45mm squares, so it lands almost exactly where this board wants it. The Laughing Knight 78mm sits on a 30mm base and is cut for 45mm squares, the same story with a different knight. A full tournament set footing at 40mm or more belongs on a 50mm or 55mm square board instead.
Ebony is worth naming precisely because so much of what looks like it is not. Diospyros ebenum is a dense, close grained timber that runs genuinely near black rather than dark brown, with very little visible figure in it. Ebonised timber, which is a lighter species dyed dark, reads similarly in a photograph and differently in the hand, and the two age in opposite directions.
What that flatness gives you is legibility. With almost no grain to look at in the dark squares, the eye reads the position rather than the surface, and against pale maple the chequer separates instantly even in poor light or at an angle. A rosewood board keeps more warmth and more to look at; an ebony board keeps the game in front of you and gets out of the way.
On a compact board that argument carries extra weight. At 45mm squares the pieces sit closer together than they would on a full sized surface, so anything that helps a crowded middlegame resolve at a glance is doing real work rather than decorative work.
This is the size that solves the room problem. A 45.7cm board sits comfortably on a coffee table, on the corner of a desk or at one end of a dining table, and it leaves space beside it for captured material and a clock without either player leaning. Anyone who has tried to find a permanent home for a 58cm board will understand the appeal immediately.
At 3,000g it has real weight for its size, so it stays where it is put on a stable surface and does not need anything underneath it to stop it sliding. It is still light enough to lift with one hand and stand on a shelf when the game is over, which is the balance a board this size ought to strike.
Care is undemanding. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and vents, wipe it with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, and do not stand glasses on the playing area. Store it flat rather than leaning against a wall. As with any handmade item the finished weight can vary by up to 10 percent either way, and the grain on the board that arrives will be its own.
The strength here is the timber at the size. Genuine ebony against maple gives the hardest contrast available in wood, and getting it on a 45.7cm board at 22mm of section means a compact surface that still feels like a real board rather than a scaled down one. The caveat is the square size, and it is the first thing to check: 45mm squares cap the king base at around 38mm, so a full tournament set footing at 40mm or more will crowd this back rank and belongs on a larger board. It suits a player working with limited table space who would rather spend on materials than on footprint, and it suits anyone pairing it with a compact reproduction pattern in the low thirties at the base. If you want the same timbers with a framed edge, the 43cm ebony board with a sheesham border is the closest alternative.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own. It suits a set with a king base of roughly 30mm to 38mm, which covers compact and mid sized patterns rather than full tournament ones.
Genuine ebony, Diospyros ebenum, on the dark squares, with maple (Acer oblongum) on the light. Ebonised timber is a lighter species dyed dark and is a different material, though the two can look similar in a photograph.
Aim for a king base in the low to middle thirties. Measure the widest part of the base rather than going by the height of the set, because height alone will mislead you by several millimetres.
Same 45mm squares and a very similar footprint. The bud rosewood board runs a deep red brown with visible grain and a warmer, softer contrast. This one goes near black, which is flatter to look at and sharper to read a position on.
In most cases yes. At 45.7cm square it takes up a little more room than a large serving tray, and at 3,000g it can be lifted with one hand and moved to a shelf between games.
Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth, and store it flat rather than on its edge. Avoid leaving anything wet standing on the playing surface.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
45.7cm x 45.7cm (18 inch) |
|
Square size |
45mm (1.75 inch) |
|
Playing grid |
36cm across eight squares |
|
Board thickness |
22mm (0.9 inch) |
|
Board weight |
3,000g |
|
Weight tolerance |
Handmade, up to 10 percent either way |
|
Dark squares |
Genuine ebony (Diospyros ebenum) |
|
Light squares |
Maple (Acer oblongum) |
|
Recommended king base |
About 30mm to 38mm (1.2 inch to 1.5 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
One 45.7cm ebony and maple chess board with 45mm squares
Playing pieces 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.
Genuine ebony on a board that fits an ordinary table. Ebony (Diospyros ebenum) is the dark timber most people picture when they think of a serious chess board, and it is usually found on large ones. This is 45.7cm across, which puts it on a coffee table, a desk corner or a dining table with room left over on every side.
The light squares are maple (Acer oblongum), pale and close grained, and against near black ebony the contrast is about as hard as timber gets. Squares are 45mm, so eight of them make a playing grid 36cm across with roughly 4.8cm of board around the outside. At 22mm in section this is a proper timber playing surface rather than something that folds or rolls.
It weighs 3,000g, enough to keep it planted without making it awkward to move, and it wants a set with a base in the low to middle thirties rather than a full sized tournament pattern. Larger surfaces and other timbers run across our chess boards collection.
Several boards on the site run these 45mm squares at a similar footprint, so the difference between them is timber, not size. The 46cm bud rosewood and maple board pairs a deep red brown bud rosewood with maple, a warmer and softer contrast that keeps more visible grain in the dark squares. Our 45cm Spanish board takes the same square size at a slimmer 12mm and is lighter in the hand. This board goes the other way, to near black ebony, which is the flattest and darkest of the three and gives the sharpest separation from the maple.
The 43cm ebony and maple board with a sheesham border is the closest relative of all, since it uses the same two timbers at 43cm. It adds a sheesham border around the play, which the board here does not have, and it is built lighter at 15mm through and 2,100g. This one is 22mm and 3,000g, so the trade between them is a framed edge on one side against a deeper, heavier surface on the other.
Against the compact boards that come bundled underneath a set, this is a different proposition. Those are cut thin to keep a package light. Twenty two millimetres on a 45.7cm board is more section than that footprint usually carries, which is what you feel when you set a piece down on it rather than something you can see in a photograph.
Base diameter is the number that decides the fit, not the height of the king. Two sets standing at the same height often differ by eight or ten millimetres at the foot, and the foot is what has to share the square. On 45mm squares the sensible target is a king base somewhere between about 30mm and 38mm.
The reasoning is proportional and worth doing rather than taking on trust. A base covering roughly three quarters of its square leaves a clear margin of timber all round, and three quarters of 45mm is about 34mm. That is the middle of the useful window. Push towards 38mm and the back rank fills handsomely but tightly, with only a few millimetres showing between neighbouring feet. Drop much below 30mm and the army starts to look small against 36cm of playing grid, particularly late in a game.
Compact reproduction and analysis patterns are the natural match. The Reproduction French Lardy Compact 76mm stands on a 31mm base and is drawn for 40mm to 45mm squares, so it lands almost exactly where this board wants it. The Laughing Knight 78mm sits on a 30mm base and is cut for 45mm squares, the same story with a different knight. A full tournament set footing at 40mm or more belongs on a 50mm or 55mm square board instead.
Ebony is worth naming precisely because so much of what looks like it is not. Diospyros ebenum is a dense, close grained timber that runs genuinely near black rather than dark brown, with very little visible figure in it. Ebonised timber, which is a lighter species dyed dark, reads similarly in a photograph and differently in the hand, and the two age in opposite directions.
What that flatness gives you is legibility. With almost no grain to look at in the dark squares, the eye reads the position rather than the surface, and against pale maple the chequer separates instantly even in poor light or at an angle. A rosewood board keeps more warmth and more to look at; an ebony board keeps the game in front of you and gets out of the way.
On a compact board that argument carries extra weight. At 45mm squares the pieces sit closer together than they would on a full sized surface, so anything that helps a crowded middlegame resolve at a glance is doing real work rather than decorative work.
This is the size that solves the room problem. A 45.7cm board sits comfortably on a coffee table, on the corner of a desk or at one end of a dining table, and it leaves space beside it for captured material and a clock without either player leaning. Anyone who has tried to find a permanent home for a 58cm board will understand the appeal immediately.
At 3,000g it has real weight for its size, so it stays where it is put on a stable surface and does not need anything underneath it to stop it sliding. It is still light enough to lift with one hand and stand on a shelf when the game is over, which is the balance a board this size ought to strike.
Care is undemanding. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and vents, wipe it with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, and do not stand glasses on the playing area. Store it flat rather than leaning against a wall. As with any handmade item the finished weight can vary by up to 10 percent either way, and the grain on the board that arrives will be its own.
The strength here is the timber at the size. Genuine ebony against maple gives the hardest contrast available in wood, and getting it on a 45.7cm board at 22mm of section means a compact surface that still feels like a real board rather than a scaled down one. The caveat is the square size, and it is the first thing to check: 45mm squares cap the king base at around 38mm, so a full tournament set footing at 40mm or more will crowd this back rank and belongs on a larger board. It suits a player working with limited table space who would rather spend on materials than on footprint, and it suits anyone pairing it with a compact reproduction pattern in the low thirties at the base. If you want the same timbers with a framed edge, the 43cm ebony board with a sheesham border is the closest alternative.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own. It suits a set with a king base of roughly 30mm to 38mm, which covers compact and mid sized patterns rather than full tournament ones.
Genuine ebony, Diospyros ebenum, on the dark squares, with maple (Acer oblongum) on the light. Ebonised timber is a lighter species dyed dark and is a different material, though the two can look similar in a photograph.
Aim for a king base in the low to middle thirties. Measure the widest part of the base rather than going by the height of the set, because height alone will mislead you by several millimetres.
Same 45mm squares and a very similar footprint. The bud rosewood board runs a deep red brown with visible grain and a warmer, softer contrast. This one goes near black, which is flatter to look at and sharper to read a position on.
In most cases yes. At 45.7cm square it takes up a little more room than a large serving tray, and at 3,000g it can be lifted with one hand and moved to a shelf between games.
Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth, and store it flat rather than on its edge. Avoid leaving anything wet standing on the playing surface.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
45.7cm x 45.7cm (18 inch) |
|
Square size |
45mm (1.75 inch) |
|
Playing grid |
36cm across eight squares |
|
Board thickness |
22mm (0.9 inch) |
|
Board weight |
3,000g |
|
Weight tolerance |
Handmade, up to 10 percent either way |
|
Dark squares |
Genuine ebony (Diospyros ebenum) |
|
Light squares |
Maple (Acer oblongum) |
|
Recommended king base |
About 30mm to 38mm (1.2 inch to 1.5 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
One 45.7cm ebony and maple chess board with 45mm squares
Playing pieces 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.
