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Player's Choice is named for who it is aimed at, and the dimensions back the name up. At 53.3cm across with 55mm squares it is built around the sizes serious players actually use, rather than around what fits neatly into a gift carton.
Sheesham takes the dark squares, an Indian rosewood with a warm brown grain and darker streaks running through it. Maple takes the light ones, pale and tight grained, and the two sit apart clearly under a lamp without the hard glare of a bright white surface. The board is 20mm through and around 5,600g, with the whole underside felted in green velvet so it stays put and stays quiet.
It comes plain or with notation along the edges, and both are cut for pieces with a king base of 40mm to 45mm. Smaller and larger surfaces sit across our chess boards collection.
Its sibling is the 48cm board with 50mm squares. Same timbers, same green velvet underside, both handmade, and the same two options of plain or notation. The difference is 5mm of square and about 5cm of board.
That sounds small and is not. A 55mm square takes a king base up to 45mm, which is where the heavier weighted patterns live, and the 48cm board tops out at 40mm. If the set you own or the set you want has a broad base, this is the board that suits it; if it has a slim one, the smaller board will look better proportioned and cost less to own.
There is a second difference worth knowing before you choose. Player's Choice is the larger board but the thinner one, at 20mm against 22mm, while its greater area still makes it the heavier of the two at around 5,600g. It sits among our tournament chess boards.
55mm is a generous square. It gives a weighted set with a broad base room to stand without the bases meeting at the corners, and it keeps the diagonals readable in the middlegame when a position is crowded and you are trying to see a bishop three squares away rather than count to it.
The trade is table space. At 53.3cm this needs a proper surface, with room left over for captured pieces and a clock beside it. On a small side table it will hang over the edges. On a dining table or a dedicated games table it looks right, which is really what a 21 inch board is for: it is a piece of equipment that stays set up, not one that gets carried to a cafe.
In play the 5,600g does the work. Set a heavy piece down firmly and nothing moves, and the felted underside keeps the board from creeping across a polished table over the course of a long game.
The notation option carries the coordinates along the edges of the playing area: files a to h across, ranks 1 to 8 up the side. It is the same board in every other respect, 53.3cm across on 55mm squares at 20mm and around 5,600g.
Coordinates earn their place the moment you start writing games down. Recording a score sheet, replaying an annotated game from a book, following an engine line, or coaching someone who is still working out where f5 is all get quicker when the board tells you rather than making you count. For a player working through openings at home it removes a small friction that repeats hundreds of times an evening.
The plain version is there for the opposite preference. A board that sits out as furniture between games looks calmer without lettering around it, and nothing about how the two play is different. Buy the notation if you write moves down, the plain board if you do not.
Player's Choice is cut for pieces with a king base between 40mm and 45mm. The rule behind that number is worth knowing because it applies to every board you will ever buy: the king base wants to cover around three quarters of the square, leaving a visible margin of timber around it. Three quarters of 55mm is roughly 41mm, so the window sits where it does for a reason.
A base above 45mm starts to crowd the back rank, with bases meeting at the corners and the square edges lost behind them. A base well under 40mm leaves the pieces looking small and marooned, and a board that reads as mostly empty timber from a seated distance. Between those two the set and the board look like they were made together.
Broad based patterns with a king around 103mm are the natural match here. The Fierce Knight Staunton 103mm pieces and the Dominator Staunton Weighted Ebony 103mm pieces both stand on a 45mm base, at the top of the window and cut for 55mm squares, the Fierce Knight in bud rosewood, rosewood or ebonised boxwood and the Dominator in genuine ebony and triple weighted. More options at this scale across our Staunton chess pieces.
This is the board to buy if you own weighted pieces on a broad base, because 55mm squares and a 40mm to 45mm window are hard to satisfy on the smaller boards most people end up with. The 5,600g is the other half of the argument: it stays put under firm play and the felted underside protects whatever it is standing on. Two caveats worth weighing. It is the larger board but the thinner one at 20mm, against 22mm on the 48cm version, so if section thickness is what you are buying, look at both before deciding. And it wants a real table, because at 53.3cm plus a clock and captured pieces it will not sit sensibly on anything small. Best suited to a club player or a serious home player who wants a permanent playing surface, and poorly suited to anyone who needs to pack it away between games.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. Player's Choice is sold as the board alone. It is cut for pieces with a king base of 40mm to 45mm, which is where most weighted tournament patterns with a king around 100mm to 105mm sit.
File letters and rank numbers along the edges of the playing area. The size, squares, timbers, thickness and weight are identical to the plain board.
Aim for a king base between 40mm and 45mm. Base width matters more than king height, so measure the widest part of the king's base rather than going by the height of the set.
Same timbers and same felted underside. This one is larger at 53.3cm with 55mm squares and takes a wider base, while the 48cm board has 50mm squares and suits a 35mm to 40mm base.
It needs a proper surface. At 53.3cm square you also want room beside it for captured pieces and a clock, so a dining table or a games table rather than a small side table.
A dry or barely damp cloth is enough. Keep it out of direct sunlight, away from heaters, and keep the felted underside dry.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
53.3cm x 53.3cm (21 inch) |
|
Square size |
55mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
20mm (0.78 inch) |
|
Board weight |
5,600g approximate, handmade so it can vary by 10 percent either way |
|
Dark squares |
Sheesham, Dalbergia sissoo |
|
Light squares |
Maple, Acer oblongum |
|
Underside |
Felted in green velvet |
|
Options |
Plain board, or notation with coordinates along the edges |
|
Recommended piece size |
King base 40mm to 45mm (1.5 inch to 1.8 inch) |
|
Pieces |
Not included |
One 53.3cm x 53.3cm sheesham and maple Player's Choice chess board with 55mm squares
Plain or notation, whichever option you select
That is the whole carton. Pieces are sold separately, chosen to suit the 40mm to 45mm base range
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.
Player's Choice is named for who it is aimed at, and the dimensions back the name up. At 53.3cm across with 55mm squares it is built around the sizes serious players actually use, rather than around what fits neatly into a gift carton.
Sheesham takes the dark squares, an Indian rosewood with a warm brown grain and darker streaks running through it. Maple takes the light ones, pale and tight grained, and the two sit apart clearly under a lamp without the hard glare of a bright white surface. The board is 20mm through and around 5,600g, with the whole underside felted in green velvet so it stays put and stays quiet.
It comes plain or with notation along the edges, and both are cut for pieces with a king base of 40mm to 45mm. Smaller and larger surfaces sit across our chess boards collection.
Its sibling is the 48cm board with 50mm squares. Same timbers, same green velvet underside, both handmade, and the same two options of plain or notation. The difference is 5mm of square and about 5cm of board.
That sounds small and is not. A 55mm square takes a king base up to 45mm, which is where the heavier weighted patterns live, and the 48cm board tops out at 40mm. If the set you own or the set you want has a broad base, this is the board that suits it; if it has a slim one, the smaller board will look better proportioned and cost less to own.
There is a second difference worth knowing before you choose. Player's Choice is the larger board but the thinner one, at 20mm against 22mm, while its greater area still makes it the heavier of the two at around 5,600g. It sits among our tournament chess boards.
55mm is a generous square. It gives a weighted set with a broad base room to stand without the bases meeting at the corners, and it keeps the diagonals readable in the middlegame when a position is crowded and you are trying to see a bishop three squares away rather than count to it.
The trade is table space. At 53.3cm this needs a proper surface, with room left over for captured pieces and a clock beside it. On a small side table it will hang over the edges. On a dining table or a dedicated games table it looks right, which is really what a 21 inch board is for: it is a piece of equipment that stays set up, not one that gets carried to a cafe.
In play the 5,600g does the work. Set a heavy piece down firmly and nothing moves, and the felted underside keeps the board from creeping across a polished table over the course of a long game.
The notation option carries the coordinates along the edges of the playing area: files a to h across, ranks 1 to 8 up the side. It is the same board in every other respect, 53.3cm across on 55mm squares at 20mm and around 5,600g.
Coordinates earn their place the moment you start writing games down. Recording a score sheet, replaying an annotated game from a book, following an engine line, or coaching someone who is still working out where f5 is all get quicker when the board tells you rather than making you count. For a player working through openings at home it removes a small friction that repeats hundreds of times an evening.
The plain version is there for the opposite preference. A board that sits out as furniture between games looks calmer without lettering around it, and nothing about how the two play is different. Buy the notation if you write moves down, the plain board if you do not.
Player's Choice is cut for pieces with a king base between 40mm and 45mm. The rule behind that number is worth knowing because it applies to every board you will ever buy: the king base wants to cover around three quarters of the square, leaving a visible margin of timber around it. Three quarters of 55mm is roughly 41mm, so the window sits where it does for a reason.
A base above 45mm starts to crowd the back rank, with bases meeting at the corners and the square edges lost behind them. A base well under 40mm leaves the pieces looking small and marooned, and a board that reads as mostly empty timber from a seated distance. Between those two the set and the board look like they were made together.
Broad based patterns with a king around 103mm are the natural match here. The Fierce Knight Staunton 103mm pieces and the Dominator Staunton Weighted Ebony 103mm pieces both stand on a 45mm base, at the top of the window and cut for 55mm squares, the Fierce Knight in bud rosewood, rosewood or ebonised boxwood and the Dominator in genuine ebony and triple weighted. More options at this scale across our Staunton chess pieces.
This is the board to buy if you own weighted pieces on a broad base, because 55mm squares and a 40mm to 45mm window are hard to satisfy on the smaller boards most people end up with. The 5,600g is the other half of the argument: it stays put under firm play and the felted underside protects whatever it is standing on. Two caveats worth weighing. It is the larger board but the thinner one at 20mm, against 22mm on the 48cm version, so if section thickness is what you are buying, look at both before deciding. And it wants a real table, because at 53.3cm plus a clock and captured pieces it will not sit sensibly on anything small. Best suited to a club player or a serious home player who wants a permanent playing surface, and poorly suited to anyone who needs to pack it away between games.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. Player's Choice is sold as the board alone. It is cut for pieces with a king base of 40mm to 45mm, which is where most weighted tournament patterns with a king around 100mm to 105mm sit.
File letters and rank numbers along the edges of the playing area. The size, squares, timbers, thickness and weight are identical to the plain board.
Aim for a king base between 40mm and 45mm. Base width matters more than king height, so measure the widest part of the king's base rather than going by the height of the set.
Same timbers and same felted underside. This one is larger at 53.3cm with 55mm squares and takes a wider base, while the 48cm board has 50mm squares and suits a 35mm to 40mm base.
It needs a proper surface. At 53.3cm square you also want room beside it for captured pieces and a clock, so a dining table or a games table rather than a small side table.
A dry or barely damp cloth is enough. Keep it out of direct sunlight, away from heaters, and keep the felted underside dry.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
53.3cm x 53.3cm (21 inch) |
|
Square size |
55mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Board thickness |
20mm (0.78 inch) |
|
Board weight |
5,600g approximate, handmade so it can vary by 10 percent either way |
|
Dark squares |
Sheesham, Dalbergia sissoo |
|
Light squares |
Maple, Acer oblongum |
|
Underside |
Felted in green velvet |
|
Options |
Plain board, or notation with coordinates along the edges |
|
Recommended piece size |
King base 40mm to 45mm (1.5 inch to 1.8 inch) |
|
Pieces |
Not included |
One 53.3cm x 53.3cm sheesham and maple Player's Choice chess board with 55mm squares
Plain or notation, whichever option you select
That is the whole carton. Pieces are sold separately, chosen to suit the 40mm to 45mm base range
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.
