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The original of this set was made in the USSR around 1940 and, as far as anyone can establish, never used in competition. Collectors place it at the Moscow club or the 1940 USSR Championship on photographic evidence, and it remains one of the more elusive Soviet patterns.
The reproduction pairs genuine ebony with a light side finished in ivory white rather than left as natural boxwood. That is a deliberate high contrast choice and it is what gives the set its look.
A 103mm king on a 44mm base, heavily weighted to 1,700g. It sits in our luxury chess pieces collection.
Almost every set we sell uses natural boxwood on the light side, which is close to cream and mellows to a warm honey over years. This one is finished in ivory white instead, which is opaque and stays where it is.
The gain is contrast. Against genuine ebony, ivory white is about as far apart as two chess pieces get, and the board reads with real clarity even in poor light. It is a deliberately theatrical pairing rather than a subtle one.
The cost is grain. A painted light side covers the boxwood figure, so the white pieces read as form rather than as timber. If you want the wood to show on both sides, look at the natural boxwood options across our wood chess pieces range.
Most reproductions we carry trace to a specific event: a championship, a match, a congress. This one does not, and that is the interesting thing about it.
The original appears to have been made for club use rather than competition, which is why it turns up in photographs of the Moscow club rather than in tournament records. For a collector that makes it harder to authenticate and more unusual to own. For a player it simply means the pattern was designed to be used rather than displayed, which shows in the wide base and the heavy weighting.
The pieces carry a high gloss lacquer polish rather than the buff finish used on most of the range. It is a harder surface with considerably more shine, and on the ivory white side it is what makes the colour read as clean rather than chalky.
Lacquer behaves like a shell. It resists handling marks well and it will chip if pieces are dropped on a hard surface or stored loose where they knock together. Keep them dry, out of direct sun, and stored so they are not rattling against each other.
Squares of 60mm. The 44mm king base and 40mm officers are wide for the height, and on 55mm the back rank fills too completely for the set to read.
The maker supplies an ownership certificate with the set. No board is included; our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and for a set this high in contrast a plain board keeps the attention on the pieces rather than competing with them.
The ivory white light side is the whole character of this set and it divides people. Against genuine ebony the contrast is about as strong as chess pieces get, and the board reads with unusual clarity in poor light, which is a real advantage. What you trade is the grain: the white pieces read as shape rather than as timber, and if you love boxwood figure you will not love this. At 1,700g of heavily weighted genuine ebony it is a substantial set regardless. Two practical notes: it wants 60mm squares, and the lacquer finish is harder but more chip prone than the buff polish used elsewhere in the range.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 60mm. With a 44mm king base and 40mm officers the set needs more square than its 103mm height alone would suggest.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces. The light pieces are boxwood finished in ivory white.
It follows the original 1940 set and it gives maximum contrast against the ebony. The trade is that the boxwood grain is covered, so the light pieces read as form rather than timber.
The maker supplies an ownership certificate. No board or storage is included.
Keep the pieces dry, out of direct sun, and stored so they are not knocking against each other. Lacquer resists handling marks well but will chip on impact.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
103mm (4.05 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
44mm (1.73 inch) |
|
Queen height |
89mm (3.50 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.65 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
76mm (2.99 inch) |
|
Knight height |
75mm (2.95 inch) |
|
Rook height |
61mm (2.40 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
40mm (1.57 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
56mm (2.20 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
35mm (1.37 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Ivory white finished boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Heavily weighted, turned collar rings, thick green felts |
|
Finish |
High gloss lacquer polish |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,700g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm |
|
Included |
Ownership certificate from the maker |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
Ownership certificate from the maker
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 original of this set was made in the USSR around 1940 and, as far as anyone can establish, never used in competition. Collectors place it at the Moscow club or the 1940 USSR Championship on photographic evidence, and it remains one of the more elusive Soviet patterns.
The reproduction pairs genuine ebony with a light side finished in ivory white rather than left as natural boxwood. That is a deliberate high contrast choice and it is what gives the set its look.
A 103mm king on a 44mm base, heavily weighted to 1,700g. It sits in our luxury chess pieces collection.
Almost every set we sell uses natural boxwood on the light side, which is close to cream and mellows to a warm honey over years. This one is finished in ivory white instead, which is opaque and stays where it is.
The gain is contrast. Against genuine ebony, ivory white is about as far apart as two chess pieces get, and the board reads with real clarity even in poor light. It is a deliberately theatrical pairing rather than a subtle one.
The cost is grain. A painted light side covers the boxwood figure, so the white pieces read as form rather than as timber. If you want the wood to show on both sides, look at the natural boxwood options across our wood chess pieces range.
Most reproductions we carry trace to a specific event: a championship, a match, a congress. This one does not, and that is the interesting thing about it.
The original appears to have been made for club use rather than competition, which is why it turns up in photographs of the Moscow club rather than in tournament records. For a collector that makes it harder to authenticate and more unusual to own. For a player it simply means the pattern was designed to be used rather than displayed, which shows in the wide base and the heavy weighting.
The pieces carry a high gloss lacquer polish rather than the buff finish used on most of the range. It is a harder surface with considerably more shine, and on the ivory white side it is what makes the colour read as clean rather than chalky.
Lacquer behaves like a shell. It resists handling marks well and it will chip if pieces are dropped on a hard surface or stored loose where they knock together. Keep them dry, out of direct sun, and stored so they are not rattling against each other.
Squares of 60mm. The 44mm king base and 40mm officers are wide for the height, and on 55mm the back rank fills too completely for the set to read.
The maker supplies an ownership certificate with the set. No board is included; our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and for a set this high in contrast a plain board keeps the attention on the pieces rather than competing with them.
The ivory white light side is the whole character of this set and it divides people. Against genuine ebony the contrast is about as strong as chess pieces get, and the board reads with unusual clarity in poor light, which is a real advantage. What you trade is the grain: the white pieces read as shape rather than as timber, and if you love boxwood figure you will not love this. At 1,700g of heavily weighted genuine ebony it is a substantial set regardless. Two practical notes: it wants 60mm squares, and the lacquer finish is harder but more chip prone than the buff polish used elsewhere in the range.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 60mm. With a 44mm king base and 40mm officers the set needs more square than its 103mm height alone would suggest.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces. The light pieces are boxwood finished in ivory white.
It follows the original 1940 set and it gives maximum contrast against the ebony. The trade is that the boxwood grain is covered, so the light pieces read as form rather than timber.
The maker supplies an ownership certificate. No board or storage is included.
Keep the pieces dry, out of direct sun, and stored so they are not knocking against each other. Lacquer resists handling marks well but will chip on impact.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
103mm (4.05 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
44mm (1.73 inch) |
|
Queen height |
89mm (3.50 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.65 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
76mm (2.99 inch) |
|
Knight height |
75mm (2.95 inch) |
|
Rook height |
61mm (2.40 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
40mm (1.57 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
56mm (2.20 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
35mm (1.37 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Ivory white finished boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Heavily weighted, turned collar rings, thick green felts |
|
Finish |
High gloss lacquer polish |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,700g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm |
|
Included |
Ownership certificate from the maker |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
Ownership certificate from the maker
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.
