✔ Australian Owned & Operated
✔ FREE Shipping On All Orders
✔ 100 Day FREE Returns
✔ Authorised Australian Dealer
✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
A board sold on its own, at the size most players settle on once they have owned a few. The board is 48cm across with 50mm squares, ebony on the dark side against maple (Acer oblongum) on the light, framed by a sheesham border. Eight squares of 50mm make the playing grid 40cm across.
Fifty millimetre squares are the club standard, matched here to a king base of 35mm to 40mm. That covers the tournament patterns with a king around 95mm that most people already have in a drawer, which makes this an easy board to buy for pieces you own rather than pieces you still have to choose.
What is less usual is the section. At 25mm this is a deep board for a 48cm footprint, and at 3,268g it has the weight to match. It is a playing surface rather than something that folds, packs or travels. Other sizes sit across our chess boards collection.
The closest thing to it on the site is the 48cm sheesham and maple board, which shares the footprint, the 50mm squares and the same king base window. The differences are timber and depth. That board runs sheesham against maple, a warm mid brown against cream, and it is felted underneath so it can sit straight onto a polished table. This one puts near black ebony against the maple for a harder contrast, adds the sheesham as a frame rather than as the playing squares, and carries 25mm of section against that board's 22mm.
Within its own family the comparison is size, not build. The 53cm board with 55mm squares is the same ebony, maple and sheesham border at the same 25mm, one size up on 55mm squares and a 40mm to 45mm base. If your pieces have a broad foot, that is the board; if they sit at 35mm to 40mm, this one is proportioned for them.
Set against the thin boards that come bundled underneath a set of pieces, this is a different class of object. Those are cut to a price and built to be lifted with one hand. This is a surface bought on its own terms, with the intention that the pieces standing on it will change over the years and the board will not.
Match on the diameter of the king's base rather than the height of the king. Height decides how a set looks; base width decides whether it fits. This board is cut for a king base of 35mm to 40mm.
The reasoning is proportional. A king base that covers roughly three quarters of its square leaves a clear margin of timber visible all round, and three quarters of 50mm is 37.5mm, which is why the window sits either side of that figure. Wider than 40mm and the back rank crowds, with bases touching at the corners and square edges disappearing behind them. Much under 35mm and the position starts to read as mostly empty board.
Club and tournament patterns with a king around 95mm are the natural match. The Tournament Staunton German Knight Sheesham 96mm pieces stand on a 38mm base, close to the middle of the window and the safest single recommendation here. The Reproduction 1849 Original Staunton Heavy Ebony 95mm pieces sit on a 40mm base right at the top of it, which fills the squares more and suits anyone who prefers a board that looks fully occupied. There are more patterns at that scale in our Staunton range.
Most boards at this size are a two timber object: one dark square, one light, edge to edge. This one adds a sheesham frame around the outside of the play, so there is a warm mid brown between the near black ebony and the pale maple.
The effect is easiest to describe by what it removes. Without a border, the chequer pattern runs straight to the cut edge and the board reads as a graphic sitting on the table. With one, the play has a defined boundary and the eye stays inside it. The frame also gives the board a front and a back to be squared up against a table edge, which is a small thing until you have set up a game on a board that does not have one.
This is the size that fits an ordinary dining table with room to spare. At 48cm square there is space either side for captured pieces and a clock, and two players can sit at it without either one leaning. It is also the size that suits a club night at home, where the board comes out for an evening and does not need a dedicated room.
The 3,268g is what separates it from a folding board. It does not skid when a piece is put down hard and it does not need a cloth under it to stay still, although it is heavy enough that moving it is a two hand job rather than something done absent mindedly. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and it will hold its colour. The published weight allows a variance of up to 10 percent either way, as with any handmade item.
The strength here is that it puts a 25mm section under a 48cm surface, which is more timber than boards this size usually carry, and pairs it with the 50mm squares that most club sets are drawn for. The honest limit is the same square size read from the other side: 50mm caps the king base at about 40mm, so a broad based luxury pattern bought for it will look cramped on arrival and belongs on a 55mm board instead. Worth knowing too that each board is finished by hand, so the grain and the exact colour of the one that arrives will not match the photography square for square. It suits a player who already owns pieces in the 35mm to 40mm range and wants a permanent surface for them, and it suits anyone needing something that folds away rather poorly. If your table is smaller, the 43cm board with 45mm squares is the same family at 43cm.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This is the board on its own. It is cut for a king base of 35mm to 40mm, which covers most club and tournament patterns with a king around 95mm.
Aim for a king base between 35mm and 40mm. Base width matters more than king height, so check the base figure on the listing rather than going by how tall the set looks.
A frame of sheesham timber, also sold as golden rose wood, running around the outside of the chequered area. The playing squares themselves are ebony and maple.
Same ebony, maple and sheesham frame, and the same 25mm section. That board is larger at 53cm with 55mm squares and takes a 40mm to 45mm base, so it is the one for broader footed sets.
Yes. The 50mm squares are standard club sizing and the weight keeps everything steady through a fast finish. It is a fixed board rather than something to carry to a venue.
Wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, and avoid leaving anything wet on the surface. Timber this thick dislikes rapid swings in humidity.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
48cm x 48cm (19 inch) |
|
Square size |
50mm (1.9 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
25mm (1 inch) |
|
Board weight |
3,268g 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 |
35mm to 40mm (1.3 inch to 1.5 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
One 48cm ebony and maple chess board with a sheesham border and 50mm 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.
A board sold on its own, at the size most players settle on once they have owned a few. The board is 48cm across with 50mm squares, ebony on the dark side against maple (Acer oblongum) on the light, framed by a sheesham border. Eight squares of 50mm make the playing grid 40cm across.
Fifty millimetre squares are the club standard, matched here to a king base of 35mm to 40mm. That covers the tournament patterns with a king around 95mm that most people already have in a drawer, which makes this an easy board to buy for pieces you own rather than pieces you still have to choose.
What is less usual is the section. At 25mm this is a deep board for a 48cm footprint, and at 3,268g it has the weight to match. It is a playing surface rather than something that folds, packs or travels. Other sizes sit across our chess boards collection.
The closest thing to it on the site is the 48cm sheesham and maple board, which shares the footprint, the 50mm squares and the same king base window. The differences are timber and depth. That board runs sheesham against maple, a warm mid brown against cream, and it is felted underneath so it can sit straight onto a polished table. This one puts near black ebony against the maple for a harder contrast, adds the sheesham as a frame rather than as the playing squares, and carries 25mm of section against that board's 22mm.
Within its own family the comparison is size, not build. The 53cm board with 55mm squares is the same ebony, maple and sheesham border at the same 25mm, one size up on 55mm squares and a 40mm to 45mm base. If your pieces have a broad foot, that is the board; if they sit at 35mm to 40mm, this one is proportioned for them.
Set against the thin boards that come bundled underneath a set of pieces, this is a different class of object. Those are cut to a price and built to be lifted with one hand. This is a surface bought on its own terms, with the intention that the pieces standing on it will change over the years and the board will not.
Match on the diameter of the king's base rather than the height of the king. Height decides how a set looks; base width decides whether it fits. This board is cut for a king base of 35mm to 40mm.
The reasoning is proportional. A king base that covers roughly three quarters of its square leaves a clear margin of timber visible all round, and three quarters of 50mm is 37.5mm, which is why the window sits either side of that figure. Wider than 40mm and the back rank crowds, with bases touching at the corners and square edges disappearing behind them. Much under 35mm and the position starts to read as mostly empty board.
Club and tournament patterns with a king around 95mm are the natural match. The Tournament Staunton German Knight Sheesham 96mm pieces stand on a 38mm base, close to the middle of the window and the safest single recommendation here. The Reproduction 1849 Original Staunton Heavy Ebony 95mm pieces sit on a 40mm base right at the top of it, which fills the squares more and suits anyone who prefers a board that looks fully occupied. There are more patterns at that scale in our Staunton range.
Most boards at this size are a two timber object: one dark square, one light, edge to edge. This one adds a sheesham frame around the outside of the play, so there is a warm mid brown between the near black ebony and the pale maple.
The effect is easiest to describe by what it removes. Without a border, the chequer pattern runs straight to the cut edge and the board reads as a graphic sitting on the table. With one, the play has a defined boundary and the eye stays inside it. The frame also gives the board a front and a back to be squared up against a table edge, which is a small thing until you have set up a game on a board that does not have one.
This is the size that fits an ordinary dining table with room to spare. At 48cm square there is space either side for captured pieces and a clock, and two players can sit at it without either one leaning. It is also the size that suits a club night at home, where the board comes out for an evening and does not need a dedicated room.
The 3,268g is what separates it from a folding board. It does not skid when a piece is put down hard and it does not need a cloth under it to stay still, although it is heavy enough that moving it is a two hand job rather than something done absent mindedly. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, wipe it with a dry soft cloth, and it will hold its colour. The published weight allows a variance of up to 10 percent either way, as with any handmade item.
The strength here is that it puts a 25mm section under a 48cm surface, which is more timber than boards this size usually carry, and pairs it with the 50mm squares that most club sets are drawn for. The honest limit is the same square size read from the other side: 50mm caps the king base at about 40mm, so a broad based luxury pattern bought for it will look cramped on arrival and belongs on a 55mm board instead. Worth knowing too that each board is finished by hand, so the grain and the exact colour of the one that arrives will not match the photography square for square. It suits a player who already owns pieces in the 35mm to 40mm range and wants a permanent surface for them, and it suits anyone needing something that folds away rather poorly. If your table is smaller, the 43cm board with 45mm squares is the same family at 43cm.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This is the board on its own. It is cut for a king base of 35mm to 40mm, which covers most club and tournament patterns with a king around 95mm.
Aim for a king base between 35mm and 40mm. Base width matters more than king height, so check the base figure on the listing rather than going by how tall the set looks.
A frame of sheesham timber, also sold as golden rose wood, running around the outside of the chequered area. The playing squares themselves are ebony and maple.
Same ebony, maple and sheesham frame, and the same 25mm section. That board is larger at 53cm with 55mm squares and takes a 40mm to 45mm base, so it is the one for broader footed sets.
Yes. The 50mm squares are standard club sizing and the weight keeps everything steady through a fast finish. It is a fixed board rather than something to carry to a venue.
Wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, and avoid leaving anything wet on the surface. Timber this thick dislikes rapid swings in humidity.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
48cm x 48cm (19 inch) |
|
Square size |
50mm (1.9 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
25mm (1 inch) |
|
Board weight |
3,268g 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 |
35mm to 40mm (1.3 inch to 1.5 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
One 48cm ebony and maple chess board with a sheesham border and 50mm 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.
