🚀FREE Shipping On All Orders Australia Wide🚀
🚀FREE Shipping On All Orders Australia Wide🚀
Skip to content
Imperator Staunton chess pieces in bud rosewood, 108mm king

Imperator Staunton 108mm Chess Pieces

by Sterling Chess
$759.00

✔ Australian Owned & Operated
✔ FREE Shipping On All Orders
✔ 100 Day FREE Returns
✔ Authorised Australian Dealer
✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931

Notify me when back in stock

Description

Imperator Staunton 108mm Chess Pieces

The Imperator is named for a commander's army, and an army is exactly what the set is drawn to look like.

Every piece stands on a base ringed with a rope carving, pawns as well as pieces, so the whole force is tied together by one detail at foot level.

The knights are the showpieces, drawn with a bold and aggressive posture that gives the front of the board some genuine menace.

Above the rope band the shapes are heirloom quality Staunton, so nothing about the set is hard to read across a table.

This is a 108mm army, a large playing size without being a giant, and every piece is triple weighted. It lives in our wood chess pieces.

 Imperator Staunton chessmen in bud rosewood and boxwood

Key features

  • A 108mm king, large enough for serious play without turning the set into a display piece
  • A rope carving running around the base of every piece, king to pawn, as one unifying detail
  • Knights given a bold, aggressive posture, and drawn as the showpieces of the army
  • Triple weighted, at 2,000 grams in total, and the figure is the same in both timber options
  • Two timbers on one pattern: bud rosewood with boxwood, or ebony with boxwood
  • Heirloom quality Staunton shapes, so the outline stays familiar even with the rope detail added
  • Cut for a large square window, which is worth measuring against your board before you order
  • 34 chess pieces in the box, with no board and no storage box supplied alongside them

About the pieces

The rope carving is the thing to understand about this set. It is not reserved for the showpieces; the pawns are given the same band as the king.

That does something specific in play. Because the detail sits at foot level and repeats on every piece, the army reads as one force rather than as a collection of separate shapes.

Above that line the shapes are conventional Staunton, which is what keeps the set usable. The rope is decoration added to a familiar outline, not a replacement for it.

The knights break the pattern on purpose. They are the one place the set raises its voice, and their aggressive stance is what you notice first when the pieces come out of the box.

The board wants to be a large one: squares of 55mm to 65mm, and the upper end if it is still to buy. At the tight end the board between the feet narrows sharply, and the rope detail is the first thing lost.

 Ebony and boxwood Imperator Staunton chessmen

Choosing between the two timbers

Only half the board is actually in question. The light army is boxwood either way, so the rope band shows on it identically, and the choice is about what the carving does on the dark half.

On ebony the band sits as a clean line of shadow against a near black body. On bud rosewood the dark army comes up a deep red brown, and the same band catches the light as a raised line of colour.

The rest is common ground. The weight, the weighting grade, the boxwood light army and the square window are identical, so the timber is the whole decision.

Be clear about what you are buying, though. Above the foot this is a conventional Staunton and nothing more, so if the rope band does not appeal there is very little else here to win you over.

Check your squares before ordering. If the board you own is cut smaller than this window, buy the board with the pieces rather than after them.

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.

Put simply: bud rosewood if you want the rope to glow, ebony if you want it to cut.

Our expert take

The Imperator earns its place on one detail that is carried right down to the pawns.

Running the rope band all the way down to the front rank spends carving time on pieces that will never be examined closely, and that is what makes the whole board feel like one army instead of a king with attendants.

At this weight there is one condition attached: it needs a large square and a permanent home. Anyone after something smaller or easier to carry about should start with our tournament chess pieces.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Triple weighted Imperator Staunton chessmen in bud rosewood and boxwood

Frequently asked questions
What size squares do these pieces need?

A large square: 55mm to 65mm, and aim high in that range if the board is not bought yet. At the top of it there is board showing around each base, while at the tight end the rope detail gets crowded out.

What is the rope detail?

A carved band at the foot of all six shapes. It is the feature that gives the set its character, and it is why the pawns look like they belong with the king.

Is there any difference in play between the two timbers?

None at all. Same pattern, same height, same weighting and the same recommended squares. The dark timber is the only thing that changes.

How heavy is the set?

2,000 grams in either option, and triple weighted. Pieces land and stop where they are put, and the army does not shuffle about if the table is bumped.

How many pieces are supplied?

34 chess pieces. What is in the box is listed in full below.

Is a board or a storage box included?

Neither. This listing is the chessmen alone, so the board and any storage are separate choices.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

108mm high (4.3 inch), 48mm base

Queen

93mm high (3.7 inch), 47mm base

Bishop

81mm high (3.2 inch), 41mm base

Knight

78mm high (3.1 inch), 41mm base

Rook

65mm high (2.6 inch), 41mm base

Pawn

56mm high (2.2 inch), 37mm base

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebony option

Ebony dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, both timbers

108mm

Weighting

Triple weighted

Recommended square size

55mm to 65mm (2.16 inch to 2.56 inch)

Total weight of pieces

2,000 grams (4.4 lbs)

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.

Description

Imperator Staunton 108mm Chess Pieces

The Imperator is named for a commander's army, and an army is exactly what the set is drawn to look like.

Every piece stands on a base ringed with a rope carving, pawns as well as pieces, so the whole force is tied together by one detail at foot level.

The knights are the showpieces, drawn with a bold and aggressive posture that gives the front of the board some genuine menace.

Above the rope band the shapes are heirloom quality Staunton, so nothing about the set is hard to read across a table.

This is a 108mm army, a large playing size without being a giant, and every piece is triple weighted. It lives in our wood chess pieces.

 Imperator Staunton chessmen in bud rosewood and boxwood

Key features

  • A 108mm king, large enough for serious play without turning the set into a display piece
  • A rope carving running around the base of every piece, king to pawn, as one unifying detail
  • Knights given a bold, aggressive posture, and drawn as the showpieces of the army
  • Triple weighted, at 2,000 grams in total, and the figure is the same in both timber options
  • Two timbers on one pattern: bud rosewood with boxwood, or ebony with boxwood
  • Heirloom quality Staunton shapes, so the outline stays familiar even with the rope detail added
  • Cut for a large square window, which is worth measuring against your board before you order
  • 34 chess pieces in the box, with no board and no storage box supplied alongside them

About the pieces

The rope carving is the thing to understand about this set. It is not reserved for the showpieces; the pawns are given the same band as the king.

That does something specific in play. Because the detail sits at foot level and repeats on every piece, the army reads as one force rather than as a collection of separate shapes.

Above that line the shapes are conventional Staunton, which is what keeps the set usable. The rope is decoration added to a familiar outline, not a replacement for it.

The knights break the pattern on purpose. They are the one place the set raises its voice, and their aggressive stance is what you notice first when the pieces come out of the box.

The board wants to be a large one: squares of 55mm to 65mm, and the upper end if it is still to buy. At the tight end the board between the feet narrows sharply, and the rope detail is the first thing lost.

 Ebony and boxwood Imperator Staunton chessmen

Choosing between the two timbers

Only half the board is actually in question. The light army is boxwood either way, so the rope band shows on it identically, and the choice is about what the carving does on the dark half.

On ebony the band sits as a clean line of shadow against a near black body. On bud rosewood the dark army comes up a deep red brown, and the same band catches the light as a raised line of colour.

The rest is common ground. The weight, the weighting grade, the boxwood light army and the square window are identical, so the timber is the whole decision.

Be clear about what you are buying, though. Above the foot this is a conventional Staunton and nothing more, so if the rope band does not appeal there is very little else here to win you over.

Check your squares before ordering. If the board you own is cut smaller than this window, buy the board with the pieces rather than after them.

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.

Put simply: bud rosewood if you want the rope to glow, ebony if you want it to cut.

Our expert take

The Imperator earns its place on one detail that is carried right down to the pawns.

Running the rope band all the way down to the front rank spends carving time on pieces that will never be examined closely, and that is what makes the whole board feel like one army instead of a king with attendants.

At this weight there is one condition attached: it needs a large square and a permanent home. Anyone after something smaller or easier to carry about should start with our tournament chess pieces.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Triple weighted Imperator Staunton chessmen in bud rosewood and boxwood

Frequently asked questions
What size squares do these pieces need?

A large square: 55mm to 65mm, and aim high in that range if the board is not bought yet. At the top of it there is board showing around each base, while at the tight end the rope detail gets crowded out.

What is the rope detail?

A carved band at the foot of all six shapes. It is the feature that gives the set its character, and it is why the pawns look like they belong with the king.

Is there any difference in play between the two timbers?

None at all. Same pattern, same height, same weighting and the same recommended squares. The dark timber is the only thing that changes.

How heavy is the set?

2,000 grams in either option, and triple weighted. Pieces land and stop where they are put, and the army does not shuffle about if the table is bumped.

How many pieces are supplied?

34 chess pieces. What is in the box is listed in full below.

Is a board or a storage box included?

Neither. This listing is the chessmen alone, so the board and any storage are separate choices.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

108mm high (4.3 inch), 48mm base

Queen

93mm high (3.7 inch), 47mm base

Bishop

81mm high (3.2 inch), 41mm base

Knight

78mm high (3.1 inch), 41mm base

Rook

65mm high (2.6 inch), 41mm base

Pawn

56mm high (2.2 inch), 37mm base

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Ebony option

Ebony dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

King height, both timbers

108mm

Weighting

Triple weighted

Recommended square size

55mm to 65mm (2.16 inch to 2.56 inch)

Total weight of pieces

2,000 grams (4.4 lbs)

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.