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The 1935 Moscow match between Botvinnik and Flohr was drawn, and it put Botvinnik on the path to the world title. The set they played on is one of the more detailed Soviet patterns, and it does three things no English Staunton does.
The bases are squat and wide. The finials are turned in the opposing colour. And the bishop has no mitre cut at all, so it is identified by its shape alone rather than by the slot every Western bishop carries.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, triple weighted to 1,456g. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
Most Soviet patterns simplified the English Staunton to speed up production: fewer collars, plainer profiles, less carving. This one went the other way and is unusually detailed for its origin.
What it keeps from the Soviet tradition is the geometry. A 45mm base under a 101mm king is squat by English standards, which is how these sets stayed upright on club tables. The contrasting finials are the other borrowed habit, and they make the royal pieces read instantly across a room.
The missing bishop mitre is the detail that surprises people. Compare against the conventional patterns in our Staunton chess pieces to see how much work that slot normally does.
The diagonal slot in a bishop's head is so standard that most players never consciously look at it, they just register bishop. Remove it and identification falls entirely to the silhouette: a tapered body with a rounded finial and nothing else.
Soviet designers were working in a context where religious iconography was unwelcome, and the mitre is a bishop's hat. Whether the omission here is ideological or simply stylistic is not settled, but the effect on play is real. Expect a few games of second glances before the shape alone is enough.
The finial on top of the royal pieces is turned in the opposing timber, so the ebony king wears a boxwood cap and the boxwood king an ebony one. It is a Russian and Soviet habit that English makers never adopted.
It looks like decoration and it is also useful. A small light point on a dark piece catches the eye at distance far better than an all black silhouette does, which matters on a crowded board under indifferent club lighting. Once you have played on a set that does it, all black royals look slightly mute.
Squares of 60mm. That is larger than a 101mm king would normally need, and the squat 45mm base is why. On a 55mm board the wide feet run together and the set loses the openness it was designed for.
Sixty millimetre boards are a specialist size, so confirm what you have before ordering. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
This is the most detailed Soviet pattern we carry and the details are the reason to buy it. The contrasting finials are genuinely useful as well as handsome, lifting the royal pieces out of an all black back rank in a way that matters under poor light. The mitreless bishop is the part to think about: it removes the single fastest identification cue on the board, and while most people adjust within a few games, some never stop double checking. Triple weighted genuine ebony at 1,456g is honest value at this price. It wants 60mm squares, more than the 101mm king suggests, because of those squat bases.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 60mm. The squat 45mm base drives that rather than the 101mm height, and a 55mm board runs the wide feet together.
It is faithful to the original Soviet pattern. Identification falls to the silhouette instead, which takes a few games to become automatic.
The cap on the royal pieces is turned in the opposing timber, so a dark king wears a light finial. It is a Soviet convention and it makes the royals much easier to pick out at distance.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed black.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
101mm (4.0 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
45mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
80mm (3.1 inch) |
|
Knight height |
70mm (2.7 inch) |
|
Rook height |
59mm (2.3 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.4 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
51mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.3 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Triple weighted, green felt bases |
|
Finish |
Natural buff polish |
|
Detailing |
Contrasting colour finials, bishops without a mitre cut |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,456g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm |
|
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 1935 Moscow match between Botvinnik and Flohr was drawn, and it put Botvinnik on the path to the world title. The set they played on is one of the more detailed Soviet patterns, and it does three things no English Staunton does.
The bases are squat and wide. The finials are turned in the opposing colour. And the bishop has no mitre cut at all, so it is identified by its shape alone rather than by the slot every Western bishop carries.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, triple weighted to 1,456g. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
Most Soviet patterns simplified the English Staunton to speed up production: fewer collars, plainer profiles, less carving. This one went the other way and is unusually detailed for its origin.
What it keeps from the Soviet tradition is the geometry. A 45mm base under a 101mm king is squat by English standards, which is how these sets stayed upright on club tables. The contrasting finials are the other borrowed habit, and they make the royal pieces read instantly across a room.
The missing bishop mitre is the detail that surprises people. Compare against the conventional patterns in our Staunton chess pieces to see how much work that slot normally does.
The diagonal slot in a bishop's head is so standard that most players never consciously look at it, they just register bishop. Remove it and identification falls entirely to the silhouette: a tapered body with a rounded finial and nothing else.
Soviet designers were working in a context where religious iconography was unwelcome, and the mitre is a bishop's hat. Whether the omission here is ideological or simply stylistic is not settled, but the effect on play is real. Expect a few games of second glances before the shape alone is enough.
The finial on top of the royal pieces is turned in the opposing timber, so the ebony king wears a boxwood cap and the boxwood king an ebony one. It is a Russian and Soviet habit that English makers never adopted.
It looks like decoration and it is also useful. A small light point on a dark piece catches the eye at distance far better than an all black silhouette does, which matters on a crowded board under indifferent club lighting. Once you have played on a set that does it, all black royals look slightly mute.
Squares of 60mm. That is larger than a 101mm king would normally need, and the squat 45mm base is why. On a 55mm board the wide feet run together and the set loses the openness it was designed for.
Sixty millimetre boards are a specialist size, so confirm what you have before ordering. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
This is the most detailed Soviet pattern we carry and the details are the reason to buy it. The contrasting finials are genuinely useful as well as handsome, lifting the royal pieces out of an all black back rank in a way that matters under poor light. The mitreless bishop is the part to think about: it removes the single fastest identification cue on the board, and while most people adjust within a few games, some never stop double checking. Triple weighted genuine ebony at 1,456g is honest value at this price. It wants 60mm squares, more than the 101mm king suggests, because of those squat bases.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 60mm. The squat 45mm base drives that rather than the 101mm height, and a 55mm board runs the wide feet together.
It is faithful to the original Soviet pattern. Identification falls to the silhouette instead, which takes a few games to become automatic.
The cap on the royal pieces is turned in the opposing timber, so a dark king wears a light finial. It is a Soviet convention and it makes the royals much easier to pick out at distance.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed black.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
101mm (4.0 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
45mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
84mm (3.3 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
80mm (3.1 inch) |
|
Knight height |
70mm (2.7 inch) |
|
Rook height |
59mm (2.3 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.4 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
51mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.3 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Triple weighted, green felt bases |
|
Finish |
Natural buff polish |
|
Detailing |
Contrasting colour finials, bishops without a mitre cut |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,456g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm |
|
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.
