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The rook on this set stands 67mm. The knight beside it stands 68mm. One millimetre apart, on identical 35mm bases, which means the corner piece and the carved piece read as equals across the back rank.
That is unusual. A Staunton rook is normally the shortest of the four minor officers by a clear margin, cut down to a stubby castellated cylinder. Bringing it up to the knight's height gives the corners of the board real weight and changes the whole silhouette of the rank.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, iron weighted to 1,140g on a 95mm king. It sits in our Staunton chess pieces.
Most Staunton sets taper hard toward the corners. The rook is treated as the least important minor piece visually, sitting somewhere between the pawn and the bishop, and the back rank slopes away at each end.
Raising the rook to knight height flattens that. What you get is a rank that reads as a solid block rather than a shape, and corners that hold the eye instead of releasing it. Whether you find that better or merely different is a matter of taste worth deciding before you order.
The other thing worth knowing is that this is genuine ebony at a price where most sets in the Staunton chess pieces are ebonised. That is where the money in this listing has gone.
The Staunton design gives every piece a height that reflects its perceived importance, and the rook lost that argument in 1849. It is a simple turned cylinder with castellations cut into the top, quick to make and easy to identify, and making it short keeps the back rank from looking like a wall.
The cost of that decision is that rooks recede. In a crowded middlegame the corner pieces are the easiest to overlook, and a short rook behind a pawn chain can genuinely disappear from view. Bringing it up to 67mm on a 35mm base fixes that at the cost of a less graceful line.
The dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood rather than ebonised boxwood, which is the more expensive way to get a black side and the reason this set costs more than its dimensions suggest. Ebony is dense and close grained, so the carved knight holds a clean edge and the turned collars stay sharp under handling.
It also contributes real mass. At 1,140g the set averages around 34g a piece, and while an iron stud in each base does part of the work, the timber itself is carrying more of it than a set of ebonised boxwood at the same dimensions would.
The 41mm king base puts this set on 55mm squares, standard tournament sizing. The tall rook makes that recommendation firmer than usual: on a smaller board a rank of full height corner pieces closes the board up considerably.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match the 55mm requirement directly.
Two things make this worth the money. It is genuine ebony rather than ebonised at a price where that is unusual, and the rook standing level with the knight is a real design decision that keeps the corners of the board visible in a crowded position. The caveats are taste and stock. A flat, blocky back rank is less elegant than a tapered one and some players will dislike it on sight. And it is currently out of stock at our supplier, so it is worth checking availability before you build a board around it.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm, standard tournament sizing. That comes from the 41mm king base, and the tall rooks make the recommendation firmer than usual because they fill the corners more than a conventional set does.
At 67mm it stands within a millimetre of the 68mm knight, on the same 35mm base. Most Staunton sets make the rook much shorter. Bringing it up keeps the corner pieces visible in a crowded middlegame.
Yes, the dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood rather than ebonised or dyed timber. At this price that is uncommon; most sets in our Staunton chess pieces at similar money use ebonised boxwood.
1,140g across 34 pieces, around 34g a piece, weighted with an iron stud in each base. The ebony itself carries more of that weight than a stained timber would.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
95mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
41mm (1.62 inch) |
|
Queen height |
78mm (3.08 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
38mm (1.50 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (2.98 inch) |
|
Knight height |
68mm (2.70 inch) |
|
Rook height |
67mm (2.64 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
35mm (1.40 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (1.96 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
29mm (1.17 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted with an iron stud in each base, green felt |
|
Finish |
Hand buff polished |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,140g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in genuine ebony and boxwood
2 spare queens, one per 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 rook on this set stands 67mm. The knight beside it stands 68mm. One millimetre apart, on identical 35mm bases, which means the corner piece and the carved piece read as equals across the back rank.
That is unusual. A Staunton rook is normally the shortest of the four minor officers by a clear margin, cut down to a stubby castellated cylinder. Bringing it up to the knight's height gives the corners of the board real weight and changes the whole silhouette of the rank.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, iron weighted to 1,140g on a 95mm king. It sits in our Staunton chess pieces.
Most Staunton sets taper hard toward the corners. The rook is treated as the least important minor piece visually, sitting somewhere between the pawn and the bishop, and the back rank slopes away at each end.
Raising the rook to knight height flattens that. What you get is a rank that reads as a solid block rather than a shape, and corners that hold the eye instead of releasing it. Whether you find that better or merely different is a matter of taste worth deciding before you order.
The other thing worth knowing is that this is genuine ebony at a price where most sets in the Staunton chess pieces are ebonised. That is where the money in this listing has gone.
The Staunton design gives every piece a height that reflects its perceived importance, and the rook lost that argument in 1849. It is a simple turned cylinder with castellations cut into the top, quick to make and easy to identify, and making it short keeps the back rank from looking like a wall.
The cost of that decision is that rooks recede. In a crowded middlegame the corner pieces are the easiest to overlook, and a short rook behind a pawn chain can genuinely disappear from view. Bringing it up to 67mm on a 35mm base fixes that at the cost of a less graceful line.
The dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood rather than ebonised boxwood, which is the more expensive way to get a black side and the reason this set costs more than its dimensions suggest. Ebony is dense and close grained, so the carved knight holds a clean edge and the turned collars stay sharp under handling.
It also contributes real mass. At 1,140g the set averages around 34g a piece, and while an iron stud in each base does part of the work, the timber itself is carrying more of it than a set of ebonised boxwood at the same dimensions would.
The 41mm king base puts this set on 55mm squares, standard tournament sizing. The tall rook makes that recommendation firmer than usual: on a smaller board a rank of full height corner pieces closes the board up considerably.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match the 55mm requirement directly.
Two things make this worth the money. It is genuine ebony rather than ebonised at a price where that is unusual, and the rook standing level with the knight is a real design decision that keeps the corners of the board visible in a crowded position. The caveats are taste and stock. A flat, blocky back rank is less elegant than a tapered one and some players will dislike it on sight. And it is currently out of stock at our supplier, so it is worth checking availability before you build a board around it.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm, standard tournament sizing. That comes from the 41mm king base, and the tall rooks make the recommendation firmer than usual because they fill the corners more than a conventional set does.
At 67mm it stands within a millimetre of the 68mm knight, on the same 35mm base. Most Staunton sets make the rook much shorter. Bringing it up keeps the corner pieces visible in a crowded middlegame.
Yes, the dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood rather than ebonised or dyed timber. At this price that is uncommon; most sets in our Staunton chess pieces at similar money use ebonised boxwood.
1,140g across 34 pieces, around 34g a piece, weighted with an iron stud in each base. The ebony itself carries more of that weight than a stained timber would.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
95mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
41mm (1.62 inch) |
|
Queen height |
78mm (3.08 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
38mm (1.50 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (2.98 inch) |
|
Knight height |
68mm (2.70 inch) |
|
Rook height |
67mm (2.64 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
35mm (1.40 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (1.96 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
29mm (1.17 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted with an iron stud in each base, green felt |
|
Finish |
Hand buff polished |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,140g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in genuine ebony and boxwood
2 spare queens, one per 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.
