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These pieces reproduce the Soviet tournament sets that dominated the board through the 1950s, the decade in which Mikhail Botvinnik held the world title. They suit club players who want a full size set with real presence, and collectors drawn to the plainer, more purposeful side of Staunton design. At a 112mm king they sit at the larger end of our chess pieces collection.
Both sides start from the same timber. Boxwood, Gardenia latifolia, is turned and carved, then one half is ebonised to a deep and even black while the other is left natural under a lacquer finish. The king stands 112mm on a 45mm base, and all 34 pieces together weigh 1480g.
Soviet tournament design of the period favoured function over ornament. Short knights, low collars and broad bases were chosen because they read clearly across a board and stayed upright through a long time scramble. That restraint is what this reproduction is chasing.
Reproduction sets divide roughly into two camps. One chases the ornamental English patterns of the late nineteenth century, all long collars and deeply cut knight manes. The other follows the tournament sets of the mid twentieth century, where the brief was legibility and stability rather than decoration. These sit firmly in the second camp.
Set against the ebony and bud rosewood reproductions above them, these give up the natural colour of a genuinely dark timber. Ebonising is a finish, not a species, and close inspection will show grain under the black where solid ebony would show none. What you gain is even colour across all sixteen dark pieces, which ebony rarely delivers, and a considerably more accessible position in the range.
If you would rather compare the period patterns side by side before deciding, our reproduction chess pieces collection gathers them in one place.
The 1480g total spreads across 34 pieces, which places this set in the moderately weighted band rather than at the heavily weighted tournament extreme. A 112mm king on a 45mm base carries a low centre of mass by geometry alone, so pieces stay settled when a neighbouring square is played.
The practical effect is a set you can move quickly without disturbing the position around it. That matters far more in a club game with a clock running than it does on a display board, and it is the quality most often missed when a set is judged on looks alone.
Soviet pattern pieces are often described as plain, which undersells them. The knight is the tell. In place of a flowing mane it carries a short, squared crop and a heavy jaw, a shape that was easier to produce consistently in quantity and, as a consequence, unmistakable at a glance from the far side of the board.
The bishops carry a simple angled mitre cut rather than a deep slot, and the rooks are straight sided with shallow crenellations. Every choice serves the same end, which is a piece you identify instantly and never have to look at twice. Alongside the more decorative options in our wood chess pieces collection, the restraint reads as deliberate rather than sparse.
These are sold as pieces only. The standard sizing guide puts the square at roughly 1.25 to 1.3 times the king base diameter, so a 45mm base wants squares of about 57mm to 60mm. On that spacing a full opening position still leaves visible timber between neighbouring pieces and the board never looks crowded.
Go much below 55mm and the pieces will jostle in the centre files. Go beyond 60mm and the set begins to look lost on the surface. Our chess boards collection lists square size on every product, so you can match the spacing before you order.
The specification here is honest about what it is. Boxwood on both sides, ebonised on one, a 112mm king on a 45mm base, and 1480g across 34 pieces, which puts the balance in the moderate band rather than at the heavily weighted end some club players prefer.
The caveat is the finish. Ebonised boxwood shows grain under the black, so anyone expecting the dead flat surface of genuine ebony should look further up the range. For a player who wants a full size Soviet tournament pattern with two spare queens included, this is a sensible place to land.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Club players who want a full size set for regular play, and collectors interested in mid twentieth century Soviet tournament design. The 112mm king sits at the larger end of standard tournament sizing, so the set also holds its own on a sideboard between games.
No. This is a pieces only listing, and a storage box is not included either. The pieces suit any board carrying 57mm to 60mm squares, so most full size tournament boards will take them without adjustment.
Both colours are turned from the same timber, boxwood, and one half is then stained black through a process called ebonising. It is not ebony. The advantage is even colour across all sixteen dark pieces, and the trade off is that faint grain remains visible under the finish.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, since dry heat is what causes turned hardwood to crack. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid furniture polish and any solvent based cleaner, both of which will lift the lacquer.
They are plainer by design. The Soviet pattern trims the collars and shortens the knight where a nineteenth century English pattern elaborates both. If you prefer the more ornate carving, the wider Staunton chess pieces collection covers both traditions.
Yes. The set runs to 34 pieces, which is the standard 32 plus one extra queen per colour. That means you can promote a pawn without turning a captured rook upside down to stand in.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
112mm (4.4 inches) |
King base diameter |
45mm (1.77 inches) |
Number of pieces |
34, including two spare queens |
Piece material |
Ebonised boxwood and natural boxwood, Gardenia latifolia |
Finish |
Lacquered |
Total set weight |
1480g |
Design |
Reproduction 1950s Botvinnik era Soviet tournament pattern |
Recommended square size |
57mm to 60mm |
Chess board |
Not included |
Storage box |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in ebonised boxwood and natural 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.
These pieces reproduce the Soviet tournament sets that dominated the board through the 1950s, the decade in which Mikhail Botvinnik held the world title. They suit club players who want a full size set with real presence, and collectors drawn to the plainer, more purposeful side of Staunton design. At a 112mm king they sit at the larger end of our chess pieces collection.
Both sides start from the same timber. Boxwood, Gardenia latifolia, is turned and carved, then one half is ebonised to a deep and even black while the other is left natural under a lacquer finish. The king stands 112mm on a 45mm base, and all 34 pieces together weigh 1480g.
Soviet tournament design of the period favoured function over ornament. Short knights, low collars and broad bases were chosen because they read clearly across a board and stayed upright through a long time scramble. That restraint is what this reproduction is chasing.
Reproduction sets divide roughly into two camps. One chases the ornamental English patterns of the late nineteenth century, all long collars and deeply cut knight manes. The other follows the tournament sets of the mid twentieth century, where the brief was legibility and stability rather than decoration. These sit firmly in the second camp.
Set against the ebony and bud rosewood reproductions above them, these give up the natural colour of a genuinely dark timber. Ebonising is a finish, not a species, and close inspection will show grain under the black where solid ebony would show none. What you gain is even colour across all sixteen dark pieces, which ebony rarely delivers, and a considerably more accessible position in the range.
If you would rather compare the period patterns side by side before deciding, our reproduction chess pieces collection gathers them in one place.
The 1480g total spreads across 34 pieces, which places this set in the moderately weighted band rather than at the heavily weighted tournament extreme. A 112mm king on a 45mm base carries a low centre of mass by geometry alone, so pieces stay settled when a neighbouring square is played.
The practical effect is a set you can move quickly without disturbing the position around it. That matters far more in a club game with a clock running than it does on a display board, and it is the quality most often missed when a set is judged on looks alone.
Soviet pattern pieces are often described as plain, which undersells them. The knight is the tell. In place of a flowing mane it carries a short, squared crop and a heavy jaw, a shape that was easier to produce consistently in quantity and, as a consequence, unmistakable at a glance from the far side of the board.
The bishops carry a simple angled mitre cut rather than a deep slot, and the rooks are straight sided with shallow crenellations. Every choice serves the same end, which is a piece you identify instantly and never have to look at twice. Alongside the more decorative options in our wood chess pieces collection, the restraint reads as deliberate rather than sparse.
These are sold as pieces only. The standard sizing guide puts the square at roughly 1.25 to 1.3 times the king base diameter, so a 45mm base wants squares of about 57mm to 60mm. On that spacing a full opening position still leaves visible timber between neighbouring pieces and the board never looks crowded.
Go much below 55mm and the pieces will jostle in the centre files. Go beyond 60mm and the set begins to look lost on the surface. Our chess boards collection lists square size on every product, so you can match the spacing before you order.
The specification here is honest about what it is. Boxwood on both sides, ebonised on one, a 112mm king on a 45mm base, and 1480g across 34 pieces, which puts the balance in the moderate band rather than at the heavily weighted end some club players prefer.
The caveat is the finish. Ebonised boxwood shows grain under the black, so anyone expecting the dead flat surface of genuine ebony should look further up the range. For a player who wants a full size Soviet tournament pattern with two spare queens included, this is a sensible place to land.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Club players who want a full size set for regular play, and collectors interested in mid twentieth century Soviet tournament design. The 112mm king sits at the larger end of standard tournament sizing, so the set also holds its own on a sideboard between games.
No. This is a pieces only listing, and a storage box is not included either. The pieces suit any board carrying 57mm to 60mm squares, so most full size tournament boards will take them without adjustment.
Both colours are turned from the same timber, boxwood, and one half is then stained black through a process called ebonising. It is not ebony. The advantage is even colour across all sixteen dark pieces, and the trade off is that faint grain remains visible under the finish.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, since dry heat is what causes turned hardwood to crack. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid furniture polish and any solvent based cleaner, both of which will lift the lacquer.
They are plainer by design. The Soviet pattern trims the collars and shortens the knight where a nineteenth century English pattern elaborates both. If you prefer the more ornate carving, the wider Staunton chess pieces collection covers both traditions.
Yes. The set runs to 34 pieces, which is the standard 32 plus one extra queen per colour. That means you can promote a pawn without turning a captured rook upside down to stand in.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
112mm (4.4 inches) |
King base diameter |
45mm (1.77 inches) |
Number of pieces |
34, including two spare queens |
Piece material |
Ebonised boxwood and natural boxwood, Gardenia latifolia |
Finish |
Lacquered |
Total set weight |
1480g |
Design |
Reproduction 1950s Botvinnik era Soviet tournament pattern |
Recommended square size |
57mm to 60mm |
Chess board |
Not included |
Storage box |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in ebonised boxwood and natural 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.
