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The Emperor Series is a Staunton pattern with real size to it, and every piece in the army has been given a character of its own. The knights show it best, with a grandeur to the head that leaves them looking ready for a fight.
The king stands 94mm and the dark army is ebony, a timber that is dark all by itself and needs no help to arrive black.
For all the detail it is built as a practical set. The shapes are easy to tell apart at a glance, which is what you want once the board is full.
These are cut for 55mm squares, so the board is the thing to settle before the pieces get here.
You will find it in our staunton chess pieces.
The scale is substantial. The king fills its square properly and the queen stands tall beside him, with bishops and rooks built to the same generous pattern underneath the pair.
The dark side is ebony, which is dark in the timber itself, and the light side is boxwood. Set out on a board the two armies read plainly apart, and that separation is half the appeal of an ebony set.
Picking a piece up tells you the rest. There is a real heft to these men, enough that setting one down on its square feels deliberate rather than casual.
There are 34 men here rather than 32, because an extra queen is packed for each colour, so a promoted pawn never has to be stood in for. Everything else, the board included, is bought separately.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 55mm. The king is wide at the foot, and on that square the back rank fills out handsomely with bare board still showing between the men.
A player who wants a chess set to be a physical object is the buyer here. It is heavy, it is dark, and it makes a table look as though something serious is going on at it.
As a gift it lands well for the same reason. The set feels more substantial in the hand than any photograph of it can suggest, which is the kind of surprise a present ought to carry.
Where it does not work is on a small board. Anything under 55mm tightens the gap between the king and queen, the widest pair in the army, standing together at the centre of the rank.
It is not a set for carrying about either. This one stays on a table, and the heft that makes it good to play with is the same heft that makes it awkward in a bag.
Looking after them is a simple job. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.
What I like about this one is the way it changes a table. Set it up on a proper board and it looks as though something is at stake, and that is most of the reason to buy an ebony army in the first place.
It is not an ornament, though. The design is a practical one underneath all that, and the set gets better once there are pieces off the board and a real position to look at.
The honest warning is the board. These want a generous square and will not sit comfortably on a tight one, so measure what you have before you order. If the board is already chosen and it is a small one, buy for the board.
If a lighter or a plainer army is nearer what you had in mind, begin instead in our minimalist chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55mm squares. The king and queen are the broadest pieces here, and they stand side by side, so a tighter board pinches that central pair first.
It means the men are heavy for their size, at 1,350 grams for the set, and the weight is there to hold them stable on the board. A nudged table does not turn into a reset position.
The dark army is ebony, which is a naturally dark timber, so the colour is in the wood itself. The light army beside it is boxwood.
Both. It is substantial enough to be worth leaving standing on a table between games, and the shapes stay easy to follow once a game is running.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the recommended square size in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
94mm high (3.7 inch), 43mm base |
|
Queen |
83mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base |
|
Bishop |
77mm high (3.0 inch), 38mm base |
|
Knight |
71mm high (2.8 inch), 37mm base |
|
Rook |
60mm high (2.4 inch), 37mm base |
|
Pawn |
54mm high (2.1 inch), 30mm base |
|
Material |
Ebony wood and boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood |
|
King height |
94mm |
|
Weighting |
Double Weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,350 grams (3 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour
Chess board not included
Storage box not included
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 Emperor Series is a Staunton pattern with real size to it, and every piece in the army has been given a character of its own. The knights show it best, with a grandeur to the head that leaves them looking ready for a fight.
The king stands 94mm and the dark army is ebony, a timber that is dark all by itself and needs no help to arrive black.
For all the detail it is built as a practical set. The shapes are easy to tell apart at a glance, which is what you want once the board is full.
These are cut for 55mm squares, so the board is the thing to settle before the pieces get here.
You will find it in our staunton chess pieces.
The scale is substantial. The king fills its square properly and the queen stands tall beside him, with bishops and rooks built to the same generous pattern underneath the pair.
The dark side is ebony, which is dark in the timber itself, and the light side is boxwood. Set out on a board the two armies read plainly apart, and that separation is half the appeal of an ebony set.
Picking a piece up tells you the rest. There is a real heft to these men, enough that setting one down on its square feels deliberate rather than casual.
There are 34 men here rather than 32, because an extra queen is packed for each colour, so a promoted pawn never has to be stood in for. Everything else, the board included, is bought separately.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 55mm. The king is wide at the foot, and on that square the back rank fills out handsomely with bare board still showing between the men.
A player who wants a chess set to be a physical object is the buyer here. It is heavy, it is dark, and it makes a table look as though something serious is going on at it.
As a gift it lands well for the same reason. The set feels more substantial in the hand than any photograph of it can suggest, which is the kind of surprise a present ought to carry.
Where it does not work is on a small board. Anything under 55mm tightens the gap between the king and queen, the widest pair in the army, standing together at the centre of the rank.
It is not a set for carrying about either. This one stays on a table, and the heft that makes it good to play with is the same heft that makes it awkward in a bag.
Looking after them is a simple job. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.
What I like about this one is the way it changes a table. Set it up on a proper board and it looks as though something is at stake, and that is most of the reason to buy an ebony army in the first place.
It is not an ornament, though. The design is a practical one underneath all that, and the set gets better once there are pieces off the board and a real position to look at.
The honest warning is the board. These want a generous square and will not sit comfortably on a tight one, so measure what you have before you order. If the board is already chosen and it is a small one, buy for the board.
If a lighter or a plainer army is nearer what you had in mind, begin instead in our minimalist chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55mm squares. The king and queen are the broadest pieces here, and they stand side by side, so a tighter board pinches that central pair first.
It means the men are heavy for their size, at 1,350 grams for the set, and the weight is there to hold them stable on the board. A nudged table does not turn into a reset position.
The dark army is ebony, which is a naturally dark timber, so the colour is in the wood itself. The light army beside it is boxwood.
Both. It is substantial enough to be worth leaving standing on a table between games, and the shapes stay easy to follow once a game is running.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the recommended square size in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
94mm high (3.7 inch), 43mm base |
|
Queen |
83mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base |
|
Bishop |
77mm high (3.0 inch), 38mm base |
|
Knight |
71mm high (2.8 inch), 37mm base |
|
Rook |
60mm high (2.4 inch), 37mm base |
|
Pawn |
54mm high (2.1 inch), 30mm base |
|
Material |
Ebony wood and boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood |
|
King height |
94mm |
|
Weighting |
Double Weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,350 grams (3 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour
Chess board not included
Storage box not included
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.
