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Wilhelm Steinitz became the first world champion in 1886, and this is the Jaques pattern from twenty years earlier that he played through his rise. Original examples turn up at auction rather than at retail, which is what a reproduction like this exists for.
Two details separate it from a modern Staunton. The knights are cut close to the 1885 Pre Hartston pattern, longer in the neck and more sharply modelled about the muzzle than the compact modern head. And the bishop carries a vertical mitre slot rather than the angled cut that became standard later.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, heavily weighted at 1,250g, with crown stamps on the kingside pieces. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The Staunton pattern has been quietly refined for a hundred and sixty years, and most of that refinement went into the knight. Modern knights are compact, with a short powerful neck and a rounded muzzle, because that shape survives handling and is quicker to carve consistently.
The 1865 knight is a longer, more equine animal. The neck extends further, the head sits lower and further forward, and the carving around the mouth and mane is more articulated. It looks better and it is more fragile, which is exactly why the pattern drifted away from it.
The other difference is the bishop. A vertical mitre slot reads as a straight cut down the head where a modern bishop is cut at an angle. Compare it against the modern profiles in our Staunton chess pieces to see how far the pattern has travelled.
The kingside rook and knight carry a small crown stamp. It is a period feature and it has a genuinely practical use that survives into modern play.
Castling rights depend on which rook is which, and after a long middlegame with rooks doubled and shuffled along the back rank, players lose track. The stamp settles it instantly. It also matters to anyone setting up a position from a diagram, where placing the correct rook on the correct square is the difference between a legal position and a wrong one.
Ebonised boxwood dominates this price band because ebony is expensive and a 95mm set uses a lot of it. Getting genuine ebony at full tournament height without moving into four figures is the notable thing about this listing.
The difference shows in weight and in light. At 1,250g this set is heavier than an ebonised equivalent of the same dimensions, because the timber itself is denser. Under a lamp, ebony holds a soft sheen where dyed boxwood tends to look flat.
The 42mm king base wants 55mm squares. That leaves a clean margin of open square around the king and keeps the position readable when the board is crowded.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and for a set with this much detail in the carving a plain or lightly figured board serves it better than a heavily grained one, which competes with the pieces for attention.
The knight is the whole argument for this set. The 1885 Pre Hartston head is a more articulated, more equine carving than anything modern, and once you have played with it a compact modern knight starts to look like a compromise, which historically is exactly what it is. Add genuine ebony at full tournament height, which is unusual at this level, and heavy lead weighting at 1,250g. Two caveats. The longer knight neck is structurally more delicate than a modern head, so this is not the set to leave where it will be knocked about. And no board is included, so budget for one at 55mm squares.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. That suits the 42mm king base and leaves a clean margin of open square around each piece when the board is crowded.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces. It is not boxwood dyed black, and at 1,250g the set is noticeably heavier than an ebonised equivalent.
A crown stamp on the kingside rook and knight. It is a period feature that makes castling rights unambiguous and helps when setting up a position from a diagram.
Heavily weighted with lead and finished with thick green felt on every base.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
95mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.65 inch) |
|
Queen height |
77mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
67mm (2.65 inch) |
|
Knight height |
58mm (2.29 inch) |
|
Rook height |
54mm (2.12 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
35mm (1.40 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
45mm (1.80 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
28mm (1.10 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 |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,250g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
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.
Wilhelm Steinitz became the first world champion in 1886, and this is the Jaques pattern from twenty years earlier that he played through his rise. Original examples turn up at auction rather than at retail, which is what a reproduction like this exists for.
Two details separate it from a modern Staunton. The knights are cut close to the 1885 Pre Hartston pattern, longer in the neck and more sharply modelled about the muzzle than the compact modern head. And the bishop carries a vertical mitre slot rather than the angled cut that became standard later.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, heavily weighted at 1,250g, with crown stamps on the kingside pieces. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The Staunton pattern has been quietly refined for a hundred and sixty years, and most of that refinement went into the knight. Modern knights are compact, with a short powerful neck and a rounded muzzle, because that shape survives handling and is quicker to carve consistently.
The 1865 knight is a longer, more equine animal. The neck extends further, the head sits lower and further forward, and the carving around the mouth and mane is more articulated. It looks better and it is more fragile, which is exactly why the pattern drifted away from it.
The other difference is the bishop. A vertical mitre slot reads as a straight cut down the head where a modern bishop is cut at an angle. Compare it against the modern profiles in our Staunton chess pieces to see how far the pattern has travelled.
The kingside rook and knight carry a small crown stamp. It is a period feature and it has a genuinely practical use that survives into modern play.
Castling rights depend on which rook is which, and after a long middlegame with rooks doubled and shuffled along the back rank, players lose track. The stamp settles it instantly. It also matters to anyone setting up a position from a diagram, where placing the correct rook on the correct square is the difference between a legal position and a wrong one.
Ebonised boxwood dominates this price band because ebony is expensive and a 95mm set uses a lot of it. Getting genuine ebony at full tournament height without moving into four figures is the notable thing about this listing.
The difference shows in weight and in light. At 1,250g this set is heavier than an ebonised equivalent of the same dimensions, because the timber itself is denser. Under a lamp, ebony holds a soft sheen where dyed boxwood tends to look flat.
The 42mm king base wants 55mm squares. That leaves a clean margin of open square around the king and keeps the position readable when the board is crowded.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and for a set with this much detail in the carving a plain or lightly figured board serves it better than a heavily grained one, which competes with the pieces for attention.
The knight is the whole argument for this set. The 1885 Pre Hartston head is a more articulated, more equine carving than anything modern, and once you have played with it a compact modern knight starts to look like a compromise, which historically is exactly what it is. Add genuine ebony at full tournament height, which is unusual at this level, and heavy lead weighting at 1,250g. Two caveats. The longer knight neck is structurally more delicate than a modern head, so this is not the set to leave where it will be knocked about. And no board is included, so budget for one at 55mm squares.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. That suits the 42mm king base and leaves a clean margin of open square around each piece when the board is crowded.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces. It is not boxwood dyed black, and at 1,250g the set is noticeably heavier than an ebonised equivalent.
A crown stamp on the kingside rook and knight. It is a period feature that makes castling rights unambiguous and helps when setting up a position from a diagram.
Heavily weighted with lead and finished with thick green felt on every base.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
95mm (3.75 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.65 inch) |
|
Queen height |
77mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
67mm (2.65 inch) |
|
Knight height |
58mm (2.29 inch) |
|
Rook height |
54mm (2.12 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
35mm (1.40 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
45mm (1.80 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
28mm (1.10 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 |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,250g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
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.
