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The Herman Ohme series is a faithful reproduction of an original design cast in black and white plastic, and what it reproduces is a modern profile. Minimalist is the honest word for it: outline and proportion, with the ornament left off.
The king reaches 92mm, which is a full sized piece, and the queen comes up so close behind it that the two of them read as a pair at the middle of the rank.
The pieces are weighted, with 850 grams spread across the whole army, so a man settles where you put him and nothing wanders when the table gets knocked.
There are two dark timbers to pick from, ebonised boxwood or golden rosewood, and boxwood makes the light side under either one.
It belongs with our minimalist chess pieces.
Scale is the first thing to say. This is a full sized army despite how plain it looks, so nothing has been shrunk to make the design work and the pieces sit in the hand the way a proper set should.
The hierarchy is where the design is unusual. King and queen stand nearly level, and the pieces under them fall away by uneven amounts to tall pawns, so the army still reads as one family with the detail stripped out.
In play it is quick. Plain surfaces mean there is nothing to catch a sleeve and nothing to snap off, and the set carries enough substance to stay honest through a long game without being heavy to shift about.
Both armies are hand polished to their finish, which is the only flourish this design allows itself. The surfaces are smooth and even, and there is nothing cut into them to catch the light or the eye.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm, and either end of that window is comfortable. The feet are narrow for a set this tall, so bare board shows around every man even at the tighter end.
Boxwood makes the light army whichever you choose, so the decision in front of you is only about the dark side. The height and the weight are the same either way, and both options are cut for the same squares.
The ebonised option takes its boxwood down to something very close to black. It draws the hardest line between the two armies, and on a design this plain that is the thing that lets the shapes read from across a room.
The golden rosewood option is the warmer one. It carries a grain pattern the ebonised army does not show, so the dark side has some movement in it and the set sits easily in a room that already has timber in it.
So the decision comes down to whether you want anything to look at besides the outline. Golden rosewood gives you that. Ebonised gives you the stricter reading of a minimalist idea, which is arguably the purer one.
Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. 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.
Start with the caveat, because it decides this one. The Ohme is plain by intent, and a buyer who wants a knight with real character in the head should go straight to our staunton chess pieces instead.
What you get for giving that up is an outline. King and queen standing almost level is an odd and rather handsome thing to look at, and on a plain board with nothing else competing it holds the eye.
It plays properly, though. The scale is full size, the weighting is there and one piece is never mistaken for another, so none of the looks have been bought at the expense of the chess. I would keep it set up in a living room.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This reproduces the Herman Ohme design faithfully, and the modern profile it carries is a plain one by intent. If the traditional Staunton shapes are the reason you are buying, this will not be the one.
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. Either end works here, because the feet are narrow and there is bare board showing around each piece even on the smaller square.
Yes. The set is weighted and comes to 850 grams in total, which is enough to keep a man where you put him through a fast game without tiring your hand.
Ebonised boxwood gives you a near black dark army and the sharpest contrast. Golden rosewood gives you a warm brown with a grain pattern in it and a gentler difference between the sides.
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 square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
92mm high (3.6 inch), 35mm base |
|
Queen |
90mm high (3.5 inch), 35mm base on the Ebonised option, 34mm on the Golden Rosewood |
|
Bishop |
78mm high (3.1 inch), 31mm base |
|
Knight |
73mm high (2.9 inch), 32mm base |
|
Rook |
64mm high (2.5 inch), 31mm base |
|
Pawn |
54mm high (2.1 inch), 29mm base |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Golden Rosewood option |
Golden rosewood (sheesham) dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
King height, both timbers |
92mm |
|
Weighting |
Weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
850 grams (1.9 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, 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 Herman Ohme series is a faithful reproduction of an original design cast in black and white plastic, and what it reproduces is a modern profile. Minimalist is the honest word for it: outline and proportion, with the ornament left off.
The king reaches 92mm, which is a full sized piece, and the queen comes up so close behind it that the two of them read as a pair at the middle of the rank.
The pieces are weighted, with 850 grams spread across the whole army, so a man settles where you put him and nothing wanders when the table gets knocked.
There are two dark timbers to pick from, ebonised boxwood or golden rosewood, and boxwood makes the light side under either one.
It belongs with our minimalist chess pieces.
Scale is the first thing to say. This is a full sized army despite how plain it looks, so nothing has been shrunk to make the design work and the pieces sit in the hand the way a proper set should.
The hierarchy is where the design is unusual. King and queen stand nearly level, and the pieces under them fall away by uneven amounts to tall pawns, so the army still reads as one family with the detail stripped out.
In play it is quick. Plain surfaces mean there is nothing to catch a sleeve and nothing to snap off, and the set carries enough substance to stay honest through a long game without being heavy to shift about.
Both armies are hand polished to their finish, which is the only flourish this design allows itself. The surfaces are smooth and even, and there is nothing cut into them to catch the light or the eye.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 55mm, and either end of that window is comfortable. The feet are narrow for a set this tall, so bare board shows around every man even at the tighter end.
Boxwood makes the light army whichever you choose, so the decision in front of you is only about the dark side. The height and the weight are the same either way, and both options are cut for the same squares.
The ebonised option takes its boxwood down to something very close to black. It draws the hardest line between the two armies, and on a design this plain that is the thing that lets the shapes read from across a room.
The golden rosewood option is the warmer one. It carries a grain pattern the ebonised army does not show, so the dark side has some movement in it and the set sits easily in a room that already has timber in it.
So the decision comes down to whether you want anything to look at besides the outline. Golden rosewood gives you that. Ebonised gives you the stricter reading of a minimalist idea, which is arguably the purer one.
Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. 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.
Start with the caveat, because it decides this one. The Ohme is plain by intent, and a buyer who wants a knight with real character in the head should go straight to our staunton chess pieces instead.
What you get for giving that up is an outline. King and queen standing almost level is an odd and rather handsome thing to look at, and on a plain board with nothing else competing it holds the eye.
It plays properly, though. The scale is full size, the weighting is there and one piece is never mistaken for another, so none of the looks have been bought at the expense of the chess. I would keep it set up in a living room.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This reproduces the Herman Ohme design faithfully, and the modern profile it carries is a plain one by intent. If the traditional Staunton shapes are the reason you are buying, this will not be the one.
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. Either end works here, because the feet are narrow and there is bare board showing around each piece even on the smaller square.
Yes. The set is weighted and comes to 850 grams in total, which is enough to keep a man where you put him through a fast game without tiring your hand.
Ebonised boxwood gives you a near black dark army and the sharpest contrast. Golden rosewood gives you a warm brown with a grain pattern in it and a gentler difference between the sides.
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 square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
92mm high (3.6 inch), 35mm base |
|
Queen |
90mm high (3.5 inch), 35mm base on the Ebonised option, 34mm on the Golden Rosewood |
|
Bishop |
78mm high (3.1 inch), 31mm base |
|
Knight |
73mm high (2.9 inch), 32mm base |
|
Rook |
64mm high (2.5 inch), 31mm base |
|
Pawn |
54mm high (2.1 inch), 29mm base |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Golden Rosewood option |
Golden rosewood (sheesham) dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
King height, both timbers |
92mm |
|
Weighting |
Weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
850 grams (1.9 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, 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.
