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The knights on this set are known as dragon knights, and the name is earned. The head is cut with a heavy jaw, a pronounced brow and a mane worked into overlapping ridges, so the profile reads as something reptilian rather than equine at anything past arm's length.
They belong to a Bohemian Staunton pattern from the 1950s, reproduced in collaboration with the collector Michael Ladzinski. A later version of the same design, with the knight recut into what collectors call a chicken head, was used at the 1970 Siegen Olympiad where Bobby Fischer played.
Three finishes are offered against natural boxwood, including a stained crimson that no other set in our reproduction chess pieces carries.
This design sits downstream of two patterns we also carry. The Dubrovnik gave it the soft turned transitions and the general proportions; the Romanian Hungarian National Tournament set gave it the wide-based, practical approach to a club piece. What is entirely its own is the knight.
The stained crimson option is the other reason to look. Chess sets are almost universally dark against pale, and a deep red side against natural boxwood is genuinely uncommon. It reads warm and unusual without being novelty.
The trade is weight. At 900g this is the lightest wooden set in this part of the range, around 26g a piece. Anyone wanting mass should compare against the heavier options in the reproduction chess pieces.
Bohemian workshops in the 1950s were producing tournament equipment for a central European circuit, and the knight carving that emerged there is unlike either the English or the Soviet approach. The jaw is dropped and heavy, the brow projects, and the mane is cut as a series of overlapping ridges rather than a single crest. Collectors have called them dragon knights for decades.
The pattern was revised later, with the knight recut into a lighter, more angular head that acquired the nickname chicken head, and it was that version which appeared at the 1970 Siegen Olympiad. Fischer played that event, which is how a modest Bohemian club design ended up with a place in chess history.
Ebonised boxwood gives the conventional high contrast dark side and is the option most buyers will default to. Bud rosewood is denser looking and more figured, with a deep reddish brown that reads warm against the boxwood, and it is the most expensive of the three.
Stained crimson is the one worth pausing on. It is boxwood taken to a deep red rather than to black or brown, so the set reads as red against cream instead of dark against pale. On a board it looks like nothing else, and it suits a room where a black and white set would disappear. All three share identical dimensions and the same 900g.
The 37mm king base puts this set on 50mm to 55mm squares. That is a narrow base for a 99mm king, a ratio of 37 percent, so the pieces are slim and the board stays open even with the full back rank in place.
No board ships with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match either end of the range directly.
The dragon knight is the reason to buy this, and it is a genuinely distinctive carving rather than a marketing name. The stained crimson option is the other draw, because a red side against natural boxwood is uncommon and it looks considered rather than gimmicky. Two caveats, both about scale. At 900g and roughly 26g a piece this is a light set, and a 37mm base under a 99mm king is narrow, so the pieces are slimmer and less planted than the height suggests. Buy it for the carving and the colour, not for heft.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm, from the 37mm king base. That is a narrow base for a 99mm king, so the board stays open even with the full back rank in place.
A knight carved with a heavy dropped jaw, a projecting brow and a mane cut as overlapping ridges. The profile reads as reptilian rather than equine from a distance, and collectors have used the name for decades.
Dimensions and weight are identical across all three. Ebonised gives conventional high contrast. Bud rosewood is deeper and more figured. Stained crimson takes the dark side to a deep red instead of black, which is uncommon and reads warm against the boxwood.
A later revision of this pattern, with the knight recut into what collectors call a chicken head, was used at the 1970 Siegen Olympiad where Bobby Fischer played. This reproduction is of the earlier dragon knight version.
900g across 34 pieces, around 26g a piece. That is light for a 99mm king. Heavier reproductions are available across our reproduction chess pieces.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
99mm (3.89 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch) |
|
Queen height |
78mm (3.07 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
70mm (2.75 inch) |
|
Knight height |
67mm (2.63 inch) |
|
Rook height |
54mm (2.12 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
33mm (1.29 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
49mm (1.92 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
30mm (1.18 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised, stained crimson or bud rosewood boxwood, by option |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt bases |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
900g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in the finish option you select
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.
The knights on this set are known as dragon knights, and the name is earned. The head is cut with a heavy jaw, a pronounced brow and a mane worked into overlapping ridges, so the profile reads as something reptilian rather than equine at anything past arm's length.
They belong to a Bohemian Staunton pattern from the 1950s, reproduced in collaboration with the collector Michael Ladzinski. A later version of the same design, with the knight recut into what collectors call a chicken head, was used at the 1970 Siegen Olympiad where Bobby Fischer played.
Three finishes are offered against natural boxwood, including a stained crimson that no other set in our reproduction chess pieces carries.
This design sits downstream of two patterns we also carry. The Dubrovnik gave it the soft turned transitions and the general proportions; the Romanian Hungarian National Tournament set gave it the wide-based, practical approach to a club piece. What is entirely its own is the knight.
The stained crimson option is the other reason to look. Chess sets are almost universally dark against pale, and a deep red side against natural boxwood is genuinely uncommon. It reads warm and unusual without being novelty.
The trade is weight. At 900g this is the lightest wooden set in this part of the range, around 26g a piece. Anyone wanting mass should compare against the heavier options in the reproduction chess pieces.
Bohemian workshops in the 1950s were producing tournament equipment for a central European circuit, and the knight carving that emerged there is unlike either the English or the Soviet approach. The jaw is dropped and heavy, the brow projects, and the mane is cut as a series of overlapping ridges rather than a single crest. Collectors have called them dragon knights for decades.
The pattern was revised later, with the knight recut into a lighter, more angular head that acquired the nickname chicken head, and it was that version which appeared at the 1970 Siegen Olympiad. Fischer played that event, which is how a modest Bohemian club design ended up with a place in chess history.
Ebonised boxwood gives the conventional high contrast dark side and is the option most buyers will default to. Bud rosewood is denser looking and more figured, with a deep reddish brown that reads warm against the boxwood, and it is the most expensive of the three.
Stained crimson is the one worth pausing on. It is boxwood taken to a deep red rather than to black or brown, so the set reads as red against cream instead of dark against pale. On a board it looks like nothing else, and it suits a room where a black and white set would disappear. All three share identical dimensions and the same 900g.
The 37mm king base puts this set on 50mm to 55mm squares. That is a narrow base for a 99mm king, a ratio of 37 percent, so the pieces are slim and the board stays open even with the full back rank in place.
No board ships with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can match either end of the range directly.
The dragon knight is the reason to buy this, and it is a genuinely distinctive carving rather than a marketing name. The stained crimson option is the other draw, because a red side against natural boxwood is uncommon and it looks considered rather than gimmicky. Two caveats, both about scale. At 900g and roughly 26g a piece this is a light set, and a 37mm base under a 99mm king is narrow, so the pieces are slimmer and less planted than the height suggests. Buy it for the carving and the colour, not for heft.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 55mm, from the 37mm king base. That is a narrow base for a 99mm king, so the board stays open even with the full back rank in place.
A knight carved with a heavy dropped jaw, a projecting brow and a mane cut as overlapping ridges. The profile reads as reptilian rather than equine from a distance, and collectors have used the name for decades.
Dimensions and weight are identical across all three. Ebonised gives conventional high contrast. Bud rosewood is deeper and more figured. Stained crimson takes the dark side to a deep red instead of black, which is uncommon and reads warm against the boxwood.
A later revision of this pattern, with the knight recut into what collectors call a chicken head, was used at the 1970 Siegen Olympiad where Bobby Fischer played. This reproduction is of the earlier dragon knight version.
900g across 34 pieces, around 26g a piece. That is light for a 99mm king. Heavier reproductions are available across our reproduction chess pieces.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
99mm (3.89 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch) |
|
Queen height |
78mm (3.07 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
70mm (2.75 inch) |
|
Knight height |
67mm (2.63 inch) |
|
Rook height |
54mm (2.12 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
33mm (1.29 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
49mm (1.92 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
30mm (1.18 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised, stained crimson or bud rosewood boxwood, by option |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt bases |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
900g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in the finish option you select
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.
