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The 1849 Staunton is the pattern every other pattern is measured against. John Jaques of London produced it to be manufactured at scale and identified at a glance, and within a few decades it had displaced everything else in serious play.
This is the tournament sized reproduction: a 95mm king on a 40mm base, heavily weighted with lead to 1,440g, in genuine ebony against boxwood. Crown stamps on the kingside rook and knight follow the period practice.
It sits among our reproduction chess pieces, and it is the size to buy if you want the 1849 pattern to actually play on.
We carry the same pattern at 115mm as well, and the choice between them is a choice about what the set is for. The 115mm version of the 1849 pattern is a display piece: taller, heavier, and needing 60mm squares that most people do not have.
This one is built to be played on. At 95mm on a 40mm base it is tournament standard, it sits correctly on the 50mm to 55mm boards that clubs and homes actually own, and at 1,440g it is heavy enough to feel serious without being unwieldy.
The pattern is identical. What changes is scale, weight and the board you need under it. Both sit across our Staunton chess pieces.
Weighting is usually described in vague terms, but the material matters. Lead is denser than the iron used in cheaper sets, so the same mass fits into a smaller cavity and sits lower in the base.
Lower mass means a lower centre of gravity, which is why a lead weighted piece rights itself when nudged rather than tipping. At 1,440g across 34 pieces this set averages around 42g, and it is the distribution of that weight rather than the number itself that gives it stability during a scramble.
The kingside rook and knight carry a crown stamp, on both the black and the white side. It is a period feature with a practical use that has not gone away.
Castling rights depend on which rook is which, and after a long middlegame with rooks doubled and shuffled along the back rank, players genuinely lose track. The stamp settles it instantly. It matters equally when setting a position up from a diagram, where placing the wrong rook makes the position illegal.
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. At 50mm the set is snug and the back rank is full; at 55mm it has room and the position reads more openly. Either is correct and it is a matter of taste.
The 1849 pattern was designed to be legible at a glance, and it works best on a board that does not fight it. A plain or lightly figured surface serves it better than a heavily grained one. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
If you want the 1849 pattern and you intend to play on it, this is the one to buy rather than the 115mm version. Tournament height, genuine ebony, and lead rather than iron weighting, which sits lower in the base and is why the pieces right themselves instead of toppling in a scramble. The kingside crown stamps are a period detail that earns its place, settling castling rights and diagram setups without argument. The only real caveat is what it is not: at 95mm it has less presence on a table than the larger reproduction, so if the set is mainly going to be looked at, the 115mm is the better buy.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. At 50mm the set is snug, at 55mm it has more room. Both are correct for a 40mm king base.
Same pattern, different scale. This one is tournament sized and fits a standard board; the 115mm version of the 1849 pattern is taller, heavier and needs 60mm squares.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed black.
A crown stamp on the kingside rook and knight, on both colours. It is a period feature that makes castling rights and diagram setups unambiguous.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
95mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
40mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
74mm (2.9 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
67mm (2.6 inch) |
|
Knight height |
60mm (2.3 inch) |
|
Rook height |
52mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch), bishop and knight |
|
Pawn height |
45mm (1.8 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
28mm (1.1 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Heavily weighted with lead, thick green felt on every base |
|
Stamping |
Crown stamp on the kingside rook and knight, both colours |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,440g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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 1849 Staunton is the pattern every other pattern is measured against. John Jaques of London produced it to be manufactured at scale and identified at a glance, and within a few decades it had displaced everything else in serious play.
This is the tournament sized reproduction: a 95mm king on a 40mm base, heavily weighted with lead to 1,440g, in genuine ebony against boxwood. Crown stamps on the kingside rook and knight follow the period practice.
It sits among our reproduction chess pieces, and it is the size to buy if you want the 1849 pattern to actually play on.
We carry the same pattern at 115mm as well, and the choice between them is a choice about what the set is for. The 115mm version of the 1849 pattern is a display piece: taller, heavier, and needing 60mm squares that most people do not have.
This one is built to be played on. At 95mm on a 40mm base it is tournament standard, it sits correctly on the 50mm to 55mm boards that clubs and homes actually own, and at 1,440g it is heavy enough to feel serious without being unwieldy.
The pattern is identical. What changes is scale, weight and the board you need under it. Both sit across our Staunton chess pieces.
Weighting is usually described in vague terms, but the material matters. Lead is denser than the iron used in cheaper sets, so the same mass fits into a smaller cavity and sits lower in the base.
Lower mass means a lower centre of gravity, which is why a lead weighted piece rights itself when nudged rather than tipping. At 1,440g across 34 pieces this set averages around 42g, and it is the distribution of that weight rather than the number itself that gives it stability during a scramble.
The kingside rook and knight carry a crown stamp, on both the black and the white side. It is a period feature with a practical use that has not gone away.
Castling rights depend on which rook is which, and after a long middlegame with rooks doubled and shuffled along the back rank, players genuinely lose track. The stamp settles it instantly. It matters equally when setting a position up from a diagram, where placing the wrong rook makes the position illegal.
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. At 50mm the set is snug and the back rank is full; at 55mm it has room and the position reads more openly. Either is correct and it is a matter of taste.
The 1849 pattern was designed to be legible at a glance, and it works best on a board that does not fight it. A plain or lightly figured surface serves it better than a heavily grained one. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
If you want the 1849 pattern and you intend to play on it, this is the one to buy rather than the 115mm version. Tournament height, genuine ebony, and lead rather than iron weighting, which sits lower in the base and is why the pieces right themselves instead of toppling in a scramble. The kingside crown stamps are a period detail that earns its place, settling castling rights and diagram setups without argument. The only real caveat is what it is not: at 95mm it has less presence on a table than the larger reproduction, so if the set is mainly going to be looked at, the 115mm is the better buy.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm. At 50mm the set is snug, at 55mm it has more room. Both are correct for a 40mm king base.
Same pattern, different scale. This one is tournament sized and fits a standard board; the 115mm version of the 1849 pattern is taller, heavier and needs 60mm squares.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed black.
A crown stamp on the kingside rook and knight, on both colours. It is a period feature that makes castling rights and diagram setups unambiguous.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
95mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
40mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
74mm (2.9 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
67mm (2.6 inch) |
|
Knight height |
60mm (2.3 inch) |
|
Rook height |
52mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
36mm (1.4 inch), bishop and knight |
|
Pawn height |
45mm (1.8 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
28mm (1.1 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Heavily weighted with lead, thick green felt on every base |
|
Stamping |
Crown stamp on the kingside rook and knight, both colours |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,440g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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.
