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✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
Josef Hartwig taught sculpture at the Bauhaus, and in 1924 he asked a question nobody had thought to ask: why does a chess piece look like a king, a bishop or a horse, when what actually matters is how it moves?
His answer is this set. The pawn and the rook are cubes, because both move in straight lines. The bishop is a cube turned on its corner, presenting a diagonal. The knight is an L, drawn in three dimensions. The queen carries a sphere, the only form that moves in every direction at once.
Nothing is decorative and nothing is arbitrary. Every shape is an instruction. Offered in ebonised or sheesham against natural boxwood, in our reproduction chess pieces, and it is unweighted, unfelted and 32 pieces as the original was.
We carry two abstract reproductions and they answer different questions. The 1966 Lanier Graham set in our reproduction chess pieces reduces every piece to one repeated module and varies only the height, so rank is read by size. This one varies the form itself, and rank is read by geometry.
Hartwig's version is the more demanding of the two and the more interesting. Once you know the code you never forget which piece is which, because the shape tells you what it does rather than what it represents. Before you know the code it is genuinely disorienting.
Both share the same practical caveats: unweighted, unfelted, 32 pieces without spare queens. Neither is a club set, and both are cheaper to own than a Staunton of similar quality because there is far less turning in them.
The Bauhaus ran on the principle that form should follow function and that ornament inherited from tradition was usually just inertia. Applied to furniture, lighting and typography this produced work that still looks modern a century later. Applied to a chess set it produced something stranger.
Hartwig's insight was that the Staunton pieces communicate rank through symbols borrowed from a medieval court, none of which tell a player anything about the game. A crown does not say the king moves one square. So he threw the symbols out and encoded the moves instead. It is a genuinely radical piece of design thinking and it belongs in the same conversation as the Barcelona chair.
The pawn is a small cube, 19mm on every side, and the rook is a larger cube: both move in straight lines, one slowly and one freely. The bishop is a cube rotated so a corner faces you, which presents a diagonal from any angle. The knight is an L, the only piece whose move cannot be drawn as a straight line at all.
The king is a cube with a smaller cube set on top, one step above a pawn in both form and reach. The queen is a cylinder crowned with a sphere, because she is the only piece that moves in every direction. Once explained it takes about one game to become second nature.
The 29mm base on the officers means this set will sit comfortably on 35mm to 45mm squares, which is small. Because the forms are geometric rather than turned, a plain unfigured board suits them far better than a heavily grained one: the set is about clean shapes and a busy surface fights it.
No board is included. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and the smaller plainer boards in the range are the ones to look at here.
This is the most intellectually interesting object we sell. Encoding the move in the form rather than the rank in a symbol is a genuinely original idea and it holds up a century later. Be clear about what you are buying though. It is unweighted, unfelted and 32 pieces with no spare queens, so it will move on a knocked table and it can mark a polished board. And it takes a game or two before you stop having to think about which cube is the rook. Buy it because the idea appeals, not as your playing set.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 35mm to 45mm, from the 29mm officer bases. A plain unfigured board suits the geometric forms much better than a heavily grained one.
By what each shape says about the move. Pawn and rook are cubes for straight lines, the bishop is a cube on its corner presenting a diagonal, the knight is an L, the king is a cube topped with a smaller cube, and the queen carries a sphere for movement in every direction.
No. It is unweighted with no felt on the bases, faithful to the 1924 original. Total set weight is 410g.
32, with no spare queens. That is the original specification. Pawn promotion needs an inverted rook or a piece from another set.
Forms and dimensions are identical. Ebonised is near black for the highest contrast against the boxwood. Sheesham is a warm mid brown with visible grain. Other abstract patterns sit in our chess pieces collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
49mm (1.92 inch) |
|
Queen height |
50mm (1.96 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Knight height |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Rook height |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
19mm (0.74 inch) |
|
King and queen base |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
29mm (1.14 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn base |
19mm (0.74 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood or sheesham, by option |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
|
Weighting |
None. Unweighted and unfelted, as the original |
|
Piece count |
32, with no spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
410g approximate |
|
Design |
Josef Hartwig, Bauhaus, 1924 |
|
Origin |
Hand made in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in the option you select
No spare queens are included with this set
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.
Josef Hartwig taught sculpture at the Bauhaus, and in 1924 he asked a question nobody had thought to ask: why does a chess piece look like a king, a bishop or a horse, when what actually matters is how it moves?
His answer is this set. The pawn and the rook are cubes, because both move in straight lines. The bishop is a cube turned on its corner, presenting a diagonal. The knight is an L, drawn in three dimensions. The queen carries a sphere, the only form that moves in every direction at once.
Nothing is decorative and nothing is arbitrary. Every shape is an instruction. Offered in ebonised or sheesham against natural boxwood, in our reproduction chess pieces, and it is unweighted, unfelted and 32 pieces as the original was.
We carry two abstract reproductions and they answer different questions. The 1966 Lanier Graham set in our reproduction chess pieces reduces every piece to one repeated module and varies only the height, so rank is read by size. This one varies the form itself, and rank is read by geometry.
Hartwig's version is the more demanding of the two and the more interesting. Once you know the code you never forget which piece is which, because the shape tells you what it does rather than what it represents. Before you know the code it is genuinely disorienting.
Both share the same practical caveats: unweighted, unfelted, 32 pieces without spare queens. Neither is a club set, and both are cheaper to own than a Staunton of similar quality because there is far less turning in them.
The Bauhaus ran on the principle that form should follow function and that ornament inherited from tradition was usually just inertia. Applied to furniture, lighting and typography this produced work that still looks modern a century later. Applied to a chess set it produced something stranger.
Hartwig's insight was that the Staunton pieces communicate rank through symbols borrowed from a medieval court, none of which tell a player anything about the game. A crown does not say the king moves one square. So he threw the symbols out and encoded the moves instead. It is a genuinely radical piece of design thinking and it belongs in the same conversation as the Barcelona chair.
The pawn is a small cube, 19mm on every side, and the rook is a larger cube: both move in straight lines, one slowly and one freely. The bishop is a cube rotated so a corner faces you, which presents a diagonal from any angle. The knight is an L, the only piece whose move cannot be drawn as a straight line at all.
The king is a cube with a smaller cube set on top, one step above a pawn in both form and reach. The queen is a cylinder crowned with a sphere, because she is the only piece that moves in every direction. Once explained it takes about one game to become second nature.
The 29mm base on the officers means this set will sit comfortably on 35mm to 45mm squares, which is small. Because the forms are geometric rather than turned, a plain unfigured board suits them far better than a heavily grained one: the set is about clean shapes and a busy surface fights it.
No board is included. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and the smaller plainer boards in the range are the ones to look at here.
This is the most intellectually interesting object we sell. Encoding the move in the form rather than the rank in a symbol is a genuinely original idea and it holds up a century later. Be clear about what you are buying though. It is unweighted, unfelted and 32 pieces with no spare queens, so it will move on a knocked table and it can mark a polished board. And it takes a game or two before you stop having to think about which cube is the rook. Buy it because the idea appeals, not as your playing set.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 35mm to 45mm, from the 29mm officer bases. A plain unfigured board suits the geometric forms much better than a heavily grained one.
By what each shape says about the move. Pawn and rook are cubes for straight lines, the bishop is a cube on its corner presenting a diagonal, the knight is an L, the king is a cube topped with a smaller cube, and the queen carries a sphere for movement in every direction.
No. It is unweighted with no felt on the bases, faithful to the 1924 original. Total set weight is 410g.
32, with no spare queens. That is the original specification. Pawn promotion needs an inverted rook or a piece from another set.
Forms and dimensions are identical. Ebonised is near black for the highest contrast against the boxwood. Sheesham is a warm mid brown with visible grain. Other abstract patterns sit in our chess pieces collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
49mm (1.92 inch) |
|
Queen height |
50mm (1.96 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Knight height |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Rook height |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
19mm (0.74 inch) |
|
King and queen base |
29mm (1.14 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
29mm (1.14 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn base |
19mm (0.74 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood or sheesham, by option |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
|
Weighting |
None. Unweighted and unfelted, as the original |
|
Piece count |
32, with no spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
410g approximate |
|
Design |
Josef Hartwig, Bauhaus, 1924 |
|
Origin |
Hand made in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in the option you select
No spare queens are included with this set
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.
