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Henry Chavet made chess pieces for professional use, supplying players across North America and Europe, and this is a reproduction of one of the Chavet variants used in championship play through the 1980s and 1990s.
What players liked about the design is what it leaves out. Nothing on this army protrudes sharply, which sounds like a small thing and is not: pieces without sharp points are more comfortable to hold, quicker to move and considerably harder to chip.
Both armies are turned from boxwood. The dark side is ebonised to a near black, and the light side is artificially aged to the appearance of vintage chessmen.
The king stands 98mm and the complete 34 pieces come to 1,060 grams, which is ordinary club weight for a king that tall.
You will find it in our tournament chess pieces.
This design was drawn from the playing side rather than the display side, and everything else about it follows from that one decision.
Chavet was supplying professionals, and the design reflects what a player wants from equipment handled several hundred times in a game: shapes that are unambiguous at a glance, an outline that sits comfortably in the fingers, and nothing that can catch, snap or dig in.
That last point is the one to understand. A decorative Staunton puts a fine spike on the king, cuts a deep slot in the bishop's mitre and gives the rook crisp battlement corners. All of it is the first to break.
Round those decisions off and you get a set that survives being used hard and is more pleasant to pick up while it does. Every feature that could have been added was considered and left off.
These want squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the roomier end is the one we would choose. On the tighter setting the opening ranks sit closer together, which on a tournament pattern looks entirely natural rather than crowded.
Both armies here start from the same block. Boxwood is close grained and hard and it turns cleanly, which is why it is the standard light timber on quality sets.
Here it is used for the dark side as well, ebonised to a near black rather than replaced with a naturally dark species.
The light side is treated the other way. Rather than being left a fresh cream, it is artificially aged to give the appearance of vintage chessmen, so it arrives with the warm tone an old set acquires over decades.
Against the ebonised dark army the contrast is clear without being severe, and the set looks like equipment that has already seen service.
The two armies are therefore one timber worked two ways rather than two species put together.
The thing to be clear about before ordering is that the contrast is clear but not maximal. If you need a position readable from the far side of a room, a naturally dark timber against bright boxwood will do that better.
Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what makes turned hardwood check, and dust with a dry soft cloth. Skip oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners entirely, because there is nothing to be gained by putting anything on the light army.
What you are buying here is a playing set first and everything else second. The clean lines and the absence of sharp points are what a manufacturer supplying professionals arrived at after watching sets get used hard.
The aged light army is the part that makes it. The set looks settled from the first game rather than conspicuously new, which suits a pattern with a tournament pedigree behind it.
Two things to be clear about. This is a plain set and it is meant to be, so if you want a carved mane and a knight worth turning over in your hand, you will find it austere. And the contrast is clear but not maximal. Anyone after presence should start instead with our luxury chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55mm to 60mm, and the roomier of the two is the one we would choose. On the tighter setting the opening ranks sit closer together, which on a tournament pattern looks entirely natural. Under that, the set is outside what it is cut for.
Henry Chavet manufactured chess pieces for professional use, supplying players in North America and Europe. This is a reproduction of one of the Chavet variants used in championship play in the 1980s and 1990s.
It was drawn for players who would handle the pieces hundreds of times a game. Nothing protrudes sharply, which makes them more comfortable to hold, quicker to move and much harder to chip.
Both armies are turned from boxwood and then treated differently. The dark side is ebonised, brought to a near black. The light side is artificially aged to give the appearance of vintage chessmen, rather than left a fresh cream.
It is clear at a table, and it is deliberately not maximal. If a position readable from the far side of a room is your first requirement, a naturally dark timber against bright boxwood will beat it.
The complete 34 pieces come to 1,060 grams, which is ordinary club weight for a king this tall and enough to keep a piece where it is placed. No board is included, so it is chosen separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 41mm base |
|
Queen |
84mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base |
|
Bishop |
71mm high (2.8 inch), 37mm base |
|
Knight |
68mm high (2.7 inch), 37mm base |
|
Rook |
57mm high (2.2 inch), 36mm base |
|
Pawn |
52mm high (2.0 inch), 33mm base |
|
Dark chess pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light chess pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,060 grams (2.3 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, ebonised boxwood dark army against an antiqued boxwood light army
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
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.
Henry Chavet made chess pieces for professional use, supplying players across North America and Europe, and this is a reproduction of one of the Chavet variants used in championship play through the 1980s and 1990s.
What players liked about the design is what it leaves out. Nothing on this army protrudes sharply, which sounds like a small thing and is not: pieces without sharp points are more comfortable to hold, quicker to move and considerably harder to chip.
Both armies are turned from boxwood. The dark side is ebonised to a near black, and the light side is artificially aged to the appearance of vintage chessmen.
The king stands 98mm and the complete 34 pieces come to 1,060 grams, which is ordinary club weight for a king that tall.
You will find it in our tournament chess pieces.
This design was drawn from the playing side rather than the display side, and everything else about it follows from that one decision.
Chavet was supplying professionals, and the design reflects what a player wants from equipment handled several hundred times in a game: shapes that are unambiguous at a glance, an outline that sits comfortably in the fingers, and nothing that can catch, snap or dig in.
That last point is the one to understand. A decorative Staunton puts a fine spike on the king, cuts a deep slot in the bishop's mitre and gives the rook crisp battlement corners. All of it is the first to break.
Round those decisions off and you get a set that survives being used hard and is more pleasant to pick up while it does. Every feature that could have been added was considered and left off.
These want squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the roomier end is the one we would choose. On the tighter setting the opening ranks sit closer together, which on a tournament pattern looks entirely natural rather than crowded.
Both armies here start from the same block. Boxwood is close grained and hard and it turns cleanly, which is why it is the standard light timber on quality sets.
Here it is used for the dark side as well, ebonised to a near black rather than replaced with a naturally dark species.
The light side is treated the other way. Rather than being left a fresh cream, it is artificially aged to give the appearance of vintage chessmen, so it arrives with the warm tone an old set acquires over decades.
Against the ebonised dark army the contrast is clear without being severe, and the set looks like equipment that has already seen service.
The two armies are therefore one timber worked two ways rather than two species put together.
The thing to be clear about before ordering is that the contrast is clear but not maximal. If you need a position readable from the far side of a room, a naturally dark timber against bright boxwood will do that better.
Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what makes turned hardwood check, and dust with a dry soft cloth. Skip oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners entirely, because there is nothing to be gained by putting anything on the light army.
What you are buying here is a playing set first and everything else second. The clean lines and the absence of sharp points are what a manufacturer supplying professionals arrived at after watching sets get used hard.
The aged light army is the part that makes it. The set looks settled from the first game rather than conspicuously new, which suits a pattern with a tournament pedigree behind it.
Two things to be clear about. This is a plain set and it is meant to be, so if you want a carved mane and a knight worth turning over in your hand, you will find it austere. And the contrast is clear but not maximal. Anyone after presence should start instead with our luxury chess pieces.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
55mm to 60mm, and the roomier of the two is the one we would choose. On the tighter setting the opening ranks sit closer together, which on a tournament pattern looks entirely natural. Under that, the set is outside what it is cut for.
Henry Chavet manufactured chess pieces for professional use, supplying players in North America and Europe. This is a reproduction of one of the Chavet variants used in championship play in the 1980s and 1990s.
It was drawn for players who would handle the pieces hundreds of times a game. Nothing protrudes sharply, which makes them more comfortable to hold, quicker to move and much harder to chip.
Both armies are turned from boxwood and then treated differently. The dark side is ebonised, brought to a near black. The light side is artificially aged to give the appearance of vintage chessmen, rather than left a fresh cream.
It is clear at a table, and it is deliberately not maximal. If a position readable from the far side of a room is your first requirement, a naturally dark timber against bright boxwood will beat it.
The complete 34 pieces come to 1,060 grams, which is ordinary club weight for a king this tall and enough to keep a piece where it is placed. No board is included, so it is chosen separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 41mm base |
|
Queen |
84mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base |
|
Bishop |
71mm high (2.8 inch), 37mm base |
|
Knight |
68mm high (2.7 inch), 37mm base |
|
Rook |
57mm high (2.2 inch), 36mm base |
|
Pawn |
52mm high (2.0 inch), 33mm base |
|
Dark chess pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light chess pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,060 grams (2.3 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, ebonised boxwood dark army against an antiqued boxwood light army
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
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.
