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Look at the two tallest pieces in this set and the Soviet origin is immediately obvious. The king is 98mm; the queen is 90mm. Eight millimetres between them, on identical 40mm bases. English sets of the same era would put twice that gap between the two.
This is a reproduction of the Botvinnik style sets used in early Soviet tournament play in the 1930s, named for the collection of Dr Antonio Fabiano Ferreira Filho, a Brazilian collector who held one. The pattern is squat, close ranked and built for a crowded board.
Genuine ebony on the dark side and antique boxwood on the light, with 1,240g across 34 pieces. It sits within our reproduction chess pieces.
The English Staunton tradition builds a hierarchy: the king dominates, the queen follows some way behind, and the officers step down in clear stages. It photographs well and it makes the board easy to read from a distance.
Soviet designers compressed that hierarchy. Here the king and queen share a base diameter and sit within 8mm of each other, and the bishop at 80mm is not far behind. On the board it produces a dense, unified back rank that some players find powerful and others find harder to scan quickly.
It is also a light set at 1,240g. If you want a Soviet pattern with more mass, or an English pattern with a clearer hierarchy, compare against the rest of the reproduction chess pieces.
Soviet chess in the 1930s was a state project as much as a sport, and equipment was produced through regional workshops working to broadly shared conventions rather than a single registered design. What those workshops shared was a preference for compact pieces with wide feet, short knights, and a queen scaled close to the king.
Mikhail Botvinnik came up through exactly this period, winning the Soviet Championship in 1931 and 1933, and sets of this style are strongly associated with the tournaments of those years. The design here reproduces that pattern rather than any single surviving set, which is the usual and honest position for a reproduction of this era.
The dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood rather than ebonised timber. It is dense and close grained, it takes a deep natural black without any dye, and it holds carved detail cleanly. On a set this size it also contributes most of the 1,240g without ballast doing all the work.
The light side is antique boxwood, oxidised to a mellow tone instead of left bright. Against ebony the contrast is still clear, but the light pieces read as warm rather than white. It is the pairing that makes the set look like something that has been played with rather than something just unpacked.
The 40mm king base puts this set on 50mm squares. Because the queen shares that base and the bishop is only slightly narrower at 35mm, the back rank fills more than the king height alone would suggest, so going smaller is not advisable.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match the 50mm requirement directly, and the wider chess pieces collection lists square sizing on every set.
What makes this set worth having is that it does not compromise the Soviet proportions to make them more palatable. A 90mm queen beside a 98mm king on matched 40mm bases is the pattern as it actually was, and genuine ebony rather than ebonised timber is unusual at this size. The caveats are that it is light at roughly 36g a piece, and that the compressed hierarchy makes the back rank harder to scan than an English set if you are used to one. We would recommend it to a player already interested in Soviet era equipment rather than as a first wooden set.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm. That comes from the 40mm king base rather than the 98mm height. Because the queen shares the same base, going smaller will crowd the back rank.
That is the Soviet convention this set reproduces. Workshops of the 1930s scaled the queen close to the king and put both on the same base diameter, which is a real difference from the English Staunton tradition.
Yes, the dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood (Diospyros ebenum) rather than ebonised or dyed timber. The light pieces are antique boxwood.
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.
1,240g across 34 pieces, around 36g a piece. That is moderate rather than heavy. Heavier options are available across the luxury chess pieces collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
98mm (3.87 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
40mm (1.58 inch) |
|
Queen height |
90mm (3.54 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
40mm (1.58 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
80mm (3.14 inch) |
|
Knight height |
67mm (2.64 inch) |
|
Rook height |
53mm (2.08 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (1.95 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony (Diospyros ebenum) |
|
Light pieces |
Antique boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick felt bases |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,240g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in genuine ebony and antique 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.
Look at the two tallest pieces in this set and the Soviet origin is immediately obvious. The king is 98mm; the queen is 90mm. Eight millimetres between them, on identical 40mm bases. English sets of the same era would put twice that gap between the two.
This is a reproduction of the Botvinnik style sets used in early Soviet tournament play in the 1930s, named for the collection of Dr Antonio Fabiano Ferreira Filho, a Brazilian collector who held one. The pattern is squat, close ranked and built for a crowded board.
Genuine ebony on the dark side and antique boxwood on the light, with 1,240g across 34 pieces. It sits within our reproduction chess pieces.
The English Staunton tradition builds a hierarchy: the king dominates, the queen follows some way behind, and the officers step down in clear stages. It photographs well and it makes the board easy to read from a distance.
Soviet designers compressed that hierarchy. Here the king and queen share a base diameter and sit within 8mm of each other, and the bishop at 80mm is not far behind. On the board it produces a dense, unified back rank that some players find powerful and others find harder to scan quickly.
It is also a light set at 1,240g. If you want a Soviet pattern with more mass, or an English pattern with a clearer hierarchy, compare against the rest of the reproduction chess pieces.
Soviet chess in the 1930s was a state project as much as a sport, and equipment was produced through regional workshops working to broadly shared conventions rather than a single registered design. What those workshops shared was a preference for compact pieces with wide feet, short knights, and a queen scaled close to the king.
Mikhail Botvinnik came up through exactly this period, winning the Soviet Championship in 1931 and 1933, and sets of this style are strongly associated with the tournaments of those years. The design here reproduces that pattern rather than any single surviving set, which is the usual and honest position for a reproduction of this era.
The dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood rather than ebonised timber. It is dense and close grained, it takes a deep natural black without any dye, and it holds carved detail cleanly. On a set this size it also contributes most of the 1,240g without ballast doing all the work.
The light side is antique boxwood, oxidised to a mellow tone instead of left bright. Against ebony the contrast is still clear, but the light pieces read as warm rather than white. It is the pairing that makes the set look like something that has been played with rather than something just unpacked.
The 40mm king base puts this set on 50mm squares. Because the queen shares that base and the bishop is only slightly narrower at 35mm, the back rank fills more than the king height alone would suggest, so going smaller is not advisable.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match the 50mm requirement directly, and the wider chess pieces collection lists square sizing on every set.
What makes this set worth having is that it does not compromise the Soviet proportions to make them more palatable. A 90mm queen beside a 98mm king on matched 40mm bases is the pattern as it actually was, and genuine ebony rather than ebonised timber is unusual at this size. The caveats are that it is light at roughly 36g a piece, and that the compressed hierarchy makes the back rank harder to scan than an English set if you are used to one. We would recommend it to a player already interested in Soviet era equipment rather than as a first wooden set.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm. That comes from the 40mm king base rather than the 98mm height. Because the queen shares the same base, going smaller will crowd the back rank.
That is the Soviet convention this set reproduces. Workshops of the 1930s scaled the queen close to the king and put both on the same base diameter, which is a real difference from the English Staunton tradition.
Yes, the dark pieces are genuine ebony heartwood (Diospyros ebenum) rather than ebonised or dyed timber. The light pieces are antique boxwood.
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.
1,240g across 34 pieces, around 36g a piece. That is moderate rather than heavy. Heavier options are available across the luxury chess pieces collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
98mm (3.87 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
40mm (1.58 inch) |
|
Queen height |
90mm (3.54 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
40mm (1.58 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
80mm (3.14 inch) |
|
Knight height |
67mm (2.64 inch) |
|
Rook height |
53mm (2.08 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (1.95 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony (Diospyros ebenum) |
|
Light pieces |
Antique boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick felt bases |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,240g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in genuine ebony and antique 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.
