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The compact one. The board is 43cm across with 45mm squares, ebony on the dark side against maple (Acer oblongum) on the light, framed by a sheesham border, and the whole thing fits on a side table without hanging over the edges. Eight squares of 45mm make the playing grid 36cm across.
It is also the lighter build of this family. At 15mm in section and 2,100g it is a different object from the 25mm boards at 48cm and 53cm, easier to move and easier to house, with less mass under the hand. That trade is worth understanding before ordering rather than after.
The fitting window is unusually wide: a king base anywhere from 25mm to 40mm. That covers everything from compact reproduction sets to standard club pieces, which makes this a forgiving board to own if you have more than one set. Larger surfaces run across our chess boards collection.
Other boards on the site run the same 45mm squares, and they separate on timber and section rather than on size. The 46cm bud rosewood and maple board pairs a deep red brown with maple rather than near black, is a little larger across at 46cm, and is built heavier at 22mm and around 3,000g. Our 45cm Spanish board runs the same 45mm squares in red ash burl or black anigre against maple, thinner again at 12mm. This board answers both with a harder contrast between ebony and maple and a sheesham frame around the play.
Inside its own family the difference is not just footprint. The 48cm board with 50mm squares shares the ebony, the maple and the sheesham border but is 25mm through, against 15mm here. If what you want is the planted, immovable feel of a thick board, that is the one to look at. If what you want is 45mm squares on a surface you can lift with one hand and put away on a shelf, this is the one.
Against folding and roll up boards at a similar size, this sits well above them. Those are built to travel and they show it at the hinge or the crease. This is a flat timber surface with a framed edge, more affordable than the deeper boards in the same timbers and easier to find a home for than any of them.
Base width, not king height, is the measurement that matters. This board is cut for a king base of 25mm to 40mm, which is a wide window by any standard and worth reading carefully rather than taking as a blanket approval.
The useful rule is that a king base wants to cover around three quarters of its square. Three quarters of 45mm is about 34mm, so the middle of that window is where a set will look properly proportioned here. At the 40mm end there is only a couple of millimetres of visible timber either side of the king, which is playable but tight, and a full back rank will read as crowded. At the 25mm end the pieces are comfortable but small against the squares. Aim for the thirties if you have the choice.
Compact reproduction and analysis patterns are the natural fit. The Reproduction French Lardy Compact 76mm pieces stand on a 31mm base and are drawn for 40mm to 45mm squares, so they land almost exactly where this board wants them. The Laughing Knight 78mm pieces sit on a 30mm base and are cut for 45mm squares, which is the same story with a different knight. More compact patterns sit in our Staunton range.
The chequered area is framed in sheesham, the warm brown timber also sold as golden rose wood, so there are three timbers on the board rather than two. On a compact surface that frame does more work than it does on a large one.
The reason is proportion. A small board with squares running straight to the cut edge looks like a tile. Putting a band of mid brown around the play gives the surface a margin, separates the game from whatever the board is standing on, and adds a middle tone between near black ebony and pale maple. It is the detail that keeps a compact board looking like a considered object rather than a scaled down version of a bigger one.
This is the board for a room that has no room. It sits on a coffee table, a side table or the corner of a desk, it leaves space beside it on any dining table for captured pieces and a clock, and at 2,100g it can be lifted one handed and stood on a shelf between games. Anyone who has tried to find a permanent home for a 53cm board will recognise the appeal.
The counterpart is honest. Fifteen millimetres of section and 2,100g give it noticeably less mass than the deeper boards in the same timbers, so it wants a flat, stable surface and it will move if it is knocked hard. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and do not stand drinks on the playing area. The published weight allows a variance of up to 10 percent either way, as with any handmade item.
The appeal here is a 45mm square board with three timbers and a framed edge that will genuinely fit on furniture people already own, and a 25mm to 40mm base window that takes far more of the sets in circulation than a tightly matched board would. The caveat is the build, and it is the first thing to weigh: at 15mm and 2,100g this is materially lighter than the 48cm and 53cm boards in the same family, which are both 25mm, and lighter than the 46cm bud rosewood board at 22mm. It will not sit with the same immovable feel as any of them, and it is not the board to buy if section thickness is what you are paying for. It suits a player working with limited table space, a second board for analysis, or anyone pairing it with a compact set in the low thirties at the base. Buyers who want the same timbers with real depth underneath should look at the 48cm board in this family instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board alone. It is cut for a king base of 25mm to 40mm, so it suits compact and mid sized patterns rather than the broad footed luxury ones.
A king base in the low thirties is the sweet spot on 45mm squares. The published window runs from 25mm to 40mm, but a 40mm base leaves only a couple of millimetres of visible timber either side and a crowded back rank.
Same ebony, maple and sheesham border. That board is larger at 48cm with 50mm squares and much deeper at 25mm, where this one is 43cm on 45mm squares and 15mm through, so it is lighter to handle and easier to store.
It is 15mm, which is a lighter build than the deeper boards in this family. It sits flat and holds its place on a stable table, but it does not have their mass and it will shift if the table takes a real knock.
In most cases yes. At 43cm square it takes up less room than a large serving tray, and it is light enough to move off the table and onto a shelf when the game is over.
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 leaning against a wall. Timber at this section will follow a warped surface if it is left on one.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
43cm x 43cm (17 inch) |
|
Square size |
45mm (1.75 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
15mm (0.6 inch) |
|
Board weight |
2,100g approximate, up to 10 percent variance |
|
Dark squares |
Ebony |
|
Light squares |
Maple (Acer oblongum) |
|
Border |
Sheesham, also sold as golden rose wood |
|
Recommended king base |
25mm to 40mm (1.0 inch to 1.5 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
One 43cm ebony and maple chess board with a sheesham border and 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.
The compact one. The board is 43cm across with 45mm squares, ebony on the dark side against maple (Acer oblongum) on the light, framed by a sheesham border, and the whole thing fits on a side table without hanging over the edges. Eight squares of 45mm make the playing grid 36cm across.
It is also the lighter build of this family. At 15mm in section and 2,100g it is a different object from the 25mm boards at 48cm and 53cm, easier to move and easier to house, with less mass under the hand. That trade is worth understanding before ordering rather than after.
The fitting window is unusually wide: a king base anywhere from 25mm to 40mm. That covers everything from compact reproduction sets to standard club pieces, which makes this a forgiving board to own if you have more than one set. Larger surfaces run across our chess boards collection.
Other boards on the site run the same 45mm squares, and they separate on timber and section rather than on size. The 46cm bud rosewood and maple board pairs a deep red brown with maple rather than near black, is a little larger across at 46cm, and is built heavier at 22mm and around 3,000g. Our 45cm Spanish board runs the same 45mm squares in red ash burl or black anigre against maple, thinner again at 12mm. This board answers both with a harder contrast between ebony and maple and a sheesham frame around the play.
Inside its own family the difference is not just footprint. The 48cm board with 50mm squares shares the ebony, the maple and the sheesham border but is 25mm through, against 15mm here. If what you want is the planted, immovable feel of a thick board, that is the one to look at. If what you want is 45mm squares on a surface you can lift with one hand and put away on a shelf, this is the one.
Against folding and roll up boards at a similar size, this sits well above them. Those are built to travel and they show it at the hinge or the crease. This is a flat timber surface with a framed edge, more affordable than the deeper boards in the same timbers and easier to find a home for than any of them.
Base width, not king height, is the measurement that matters. This board is cut for a king base of 25mm to 40mm, which is a wide window by any standard and worth reading carefully rather than taking as a blanket approval.
The useful rule is that a king base wants to cover around three quarters of its square. Three quarters of 45mm is about 34mm, so the middle of that window is where a set will look properly proportioned here. At the 40mm end there is only a couple of millimetres of visible timber either side of the king, which is playable but tight, and a full back rank will read as crowded. At the 25mm end the pieces are comfortable but small against the squares. Aim for the thirties if you have the choice.
Compact reproduction and analysis patterns are the natural fit. The Reproduction French Lardy Compact 76mm pieces stand on a 31mm base and are drawn for 40mm to 45mm squares, so they land almost exactly where this board wants them. The Laughing Knight 78mm pieces sit on a 30mm base and are cut for 45mm squares, which is the same story with a different knight. More compact patterns sit in our Staunton range.
The chequered area is framed in sheesham, the warm brown timber also sold as golden rose wood, so there are three timbers on the board rather than two. On a compact surface that frame does more work than it does on a large one.
The reason is proportion. A small board with squares running straight to the cut edge looks like a tile. Putting a band of mid brown around the play gives the surface a margin, separates the game from whatever the board is standing on, and adds a middle tone between near black ebony and pale maple. It is the detail that keeps a compact board looking like a considered object rather than a scaled down version of a bigger one.
This is the board for a room that has no room. It sits on a coffee table, a side table or the corner of a desk, it leaves space beside it on any dining table for captured pieces and a clock, and at 2,100g it can be lifted one handed and stood on a shelf between games. Anyone who has tried to find a permanent home for a 53cm board will recognise the appeal.
The counterpart is honest. Fifteen millimetres of section and 2,100g give it noticeably less mass than the deeper boards in the same timbers, so it wants a flat, stable surface and it will move if it is knocked hard. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and do not stand drinks on the playing area. The published weight allows a variance of up to 10 percent either way, as with any handmade item.
The appeal here is a 45mm square board with three timbers and a framed edge that will genuinely fit on furniture people already own, and a 25mm to 40mm base window that takes far more of the sets in circulation than a tightly matched board would. The caveat is the build, and it is the first thing to weigh: at 15mm and 2,100g this is materially lighter than the 48cm and 53cm boards in the same family, which are both 25mm, and lighter than the 46cm bud rosewood board at 22mm. It will not sit with the same immovable feel as any of them, and it is not the board to buy if section thickness is what you are paying for. It suits a player working with limited table space, a second board for analysis, or anyone pairing it with a compact set in the low thirties at the base. Buyers who want the same timbers with real depth underneath should look at the 48cm board in this family instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board alone. It is cut for a king base of 25mm to 40mm, so it suits compact and mid sized patterns rather than the broad footed luxury ones.
A king base in the low thirties is the sweet spot on 45mm squares. The published window runs from 25mm to 40mm, but a 40mm base leaves only a couple of millimetres of visible timber either side and a crowded back rank.
Same ebony, maple and sheesham border. That board is larger at 48cm with 50mm squares and much deeper at 25mm, where this one is 43cm on 45mm squares and 15mm through, so it is lighter to handle and easier to store.
It is 15mm, which is a lighter build than the deeper boards in this family. It sits flat and holds its place on a stable table, but it does not have their mass and it will shift if the table takes a real knock.
In most cases yes. At 43cm square it takes up less room than a large serving tray, and it is light enough to move off the table and onto a shelf when the game is over.
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 leaning against a wall. Timber at this section will follow a warped surface if it is left on one.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
43cm x 43cm (17 inch) |
|
Square size |
45mm (1.75 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
15mm (0.6 inch) |
|
Board weight |
2,100g approximate, up to 10 percent variance |
|
Dark squares |
Ebony |
|
Light squares |
Maple (Acer oblongum) |
|
Border |
Sheesham, also sold as golden rose wood |
|
Recommended king base |
25mm to 40mm (1.0 inch to 1.5 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
One 43cm ebony and maple chess board with a sheesham border and 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.
