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The 1961 Soviet Championship in Baku produced one of the most photographed piece patterns of the Soviet era, and this reproduction brings it back in sheesham and boxwood. It suits the club player who wants a full sized tournament piece with genuine history behind it, and the collector who has been chasing an original for years. It sits among the more characterful lines in our chess pieces collection.
The dark pieces are turned from sheesham, an Indian rosewood with a warm reddish grain that deepens as it is handled. The light pieces are boxwood, close grained and pale. Thirty four chessmen come in at roughly 1450g together, so this is a heavily weighted complement rather than a light one.
The reproduction was developed with collector Michael Ladzinski, working from the pattern that appears in tournament photography of Tal, Spassky, Karpov and Keres. The lathe work carries the markers of the original: defined collar rings, wide bases, and rooks turned without cuts in the turrets.
Most Soviet reproductions on the market copy the Dubrovnik or the Zagreb, which are the two patterns everyone already knows. The Baku is reproduced far less often, and that is a large part of the appeal. It reads as unmistakably Soviet at a glance without being the obvious choice.
Against the ebony reproductions further up the range, sheesham gives away a little in density and in the depth of the dark colour. What it gives back is grain. Ebony reads as flat black under most lighting, while sheesham shows figure, so no two sets look quite the same.
That places these among the more accessible hand turned reproductions in our wood chess pieces collection, without dropping to a machine finished standard.
At roughly 1450g for 34 pieces, this is a heavily weighted complement rather than a lightly weighted one. The practical difference shows in fast games and on any table that gets knocked. A weighted king stays where it is put, and the pieces do not skate when a hand passes across the board.
Every base is wrapped in thick green felt. That does two jobs. It keeps the timber from marking a lacquered or veneered playing surface, and it takes the click out of each move, which matters more than most buyers expect once they have played on pieces without it.
The turning is where this pattern earns its reputation. Collar rings on the king and queen are cut with a definition that survives the finish, and the curves through the body of each piece run continuously rather than in steps. The rooks are turned without cuts in the turrets, which is faithful to the originals and gives the piece a solid, blunt profile.
The knights are the exception to all that lathe work, because they are carved rather than turned. Each one has a divergent style on either side, so the head is not a mirror image of itself. It is a small thing, and it is the first detail an experienced eye looks for on any reproduction.
These are chess pieces sold on their own, so the board is a separate decision. With a 103mm king on a 39mm base, they want 55mm squares, which is the standard tournament size and the most widely stocked. On 50mm squares they will fit, but the board feels crowded once the middlegame opens up. On 57mm squares they play well and simply read a little smaller.
A useful rule is that the king base should sit at around 70 to 75 percent of the square width. At 39mm on a 55mm square that works out to roughly 71 percent, which is close to ideal. Our chess boards collection lists the square size on every board, so you can match before you buy.
The strength here is the pattern. The Baku is documented in tournament photography from the 1961 Soviet Championship and it is reproduced far less often than the Dubrovnik, so it does something the more familiar Soviet patterns cannot.
The honest caveat is the timber and the packaging. Sheesham is neither waterproof nor UV resistant, so pieces left in direct sun will fade unevenly, and these ship without a board or a storage box, which means both are still to be sorted.
We would point a club player who wants one considered set to keep for the next decade at these, and send a first time buyer somewhere simpler.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Club and home players who want a full sized tournament piece with genuine Soviet design lineage, and collectors building a run of reproductions. The 103mm king is a standard competitive height, so nothing about them is display only.
No. These are chess pieces only. Neither a board nor a storage box is included, so you will need to pair them with a board that has 55mm squares and arrange storage separately.
55mm squares are the recommended match for a 103mm king with a 39mm base. Boards with 50mm squares will hold the pieces but feel tight in a crowded position, and 57mm squares give more room at the cost of the pieces looking slightly small.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from damp, because neither timber is UV resistant or waterproof. Wipe them with a dry soft cloth. A light application of a furniture wax once or twice a year keeps the sheesham from drying out.
Sheesham sits below ebony and bud rosewood on density and on depth of colour, and above the plainer stained options on grain character. Our reproduction chess pieces collection groups them together so you can compare king heights and timbers side by side.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
103mm |
King base diameter |
39mm |
Queen height |
87mm |
Bishop height |
83mm |
Knight height |
79mm |
Rook height |
68mm |
Pawn height |
60mm |
Dark pieces material |
Sheesham |
Light pieces material |
Boxwood |
Number of pieces |
34 chessmen |
Extra queens |
2, one per colour |
Total weight |
Approx 1450g, plus or minus 10 percent |
Weighting |
Heavily weighted |
Recommended square size |
55mm |
Base finish |
Thick green felt |
34 chess pieces in sheesham and 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.
The 1961 Soviet Championship in Baku produced one of the most photographed piece patterns of the Soviet era, and this reproduction brings it back in sheesham and boxwood. It suits the club player who wants a full sized tournament piece with genuine history behind it, and the collector who has been chasing an original for years. It sits among the more characterful lines in our chess pieces collection.
The dark pieces are turned from sheesham, an Indian rosewood with a warm reddish grain that deepens as it is handled. The light pieces are boxwood, close grained and pale. Thirty four chessmen come in at roughly 1450g together, so this is a heavily weighted complement rather than a light one.
The reproduction was developed with collector Michael Ladzinski, working from the pattern that appears in tournament photography of Tal, Spassky, Karpov and Keres. The lathe work carries the markers of the original: defined collar rings, wide bases, and rooks turned without cuts in the turrets.
Most Soviet reproductions on the market copy the Dubrovnik or the Zagreb, which are the two patterns everyone already knows. The Baku is reproduced far less often, and that is a large part of the appeal. It reads as unmistakably Soviet at a glance without being the obvious choice.
Against the ebony reproductions further up the range, sheesham gives away a little in density and in the depth of the dark colour. What it gives back is grain. Ebony reads as flat black under most lighting, while sheesham shows figure, so no two sets look quite the same.
That places these among the more accessible hand turned reproductions in our wood chess pieces collection, without dropping to a machine finished standard.
At roughly 1450g for 34 pieces, this is a heavily weighted complement rather than a lightly weighted one. The practical difference shows in fast games and on any table that gets knocked. A weighted king stays where it is put, and the pieces do not skate when a hand passes across the board.
Every base is wrapped in thick green felt. That does two jobs. It keeps the timber from marking a lacquered or veneered playing surface, and it takes the click out of each move, which matters more than most buyers expect once they have played on pieces without it.
The turning is where this pattern earns its reputation. Collar rings on the king and queen are cut with a definition that survives the finish, and the curves through the body of each piece run continuously rather than in steps. The rooks are turned without cuts in the turrets, which is faithful to the originals and gives the piece a solid, blunt profile.
The knights are the exception to all that lathe work, because they are carved rather than turned. Each one has a divergent style on either side, so the head is not a mirror image of itself. It is a small thing, and it is the first detail an experienced eye looks for on any reproduction.
These are chess pieces sold on their own, so the board is a separate decision. With a 103mm king on a 39mm base, they want 55mm squares, which is the standard tournament size and the most widely stocked. On 50mm squares they will fit, but the board feels crowded once the middlegame opens up. On 57mm squares they play well and simply read a little smaller.
A useful rule is that the king base should sit at around 70 to 75 percent of the square width. At 39mm on a 55mm square that works out to roughly 71 percent, which is close to ideal. Our chess boards collection lists the square size on every board, so you can match before you buy.
The strength here is the pattern. The Baku is documented in tournament photography from the 1961 Soviet Championship and it is reproduced far less often than the Dubrovnik, so it does something the more familiar Soviet patterns cannot.
The honest caveat is the timber and the packaging. Sheesham is neither waterproof nor UV resistant, so pieces left in direct sun will fade unevenly, and these ship without a board or a storage box, which means both are still to be sorted.
We would point a club player who wants one considered set to keep for the next decade at these, and send a first time buyer somewhere simpler.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Club and home players who want a full sized tournament piece with genuine Soviet design lineage, and collectors building a run of reproductions. The 103mm king is a standard competitive height, so nothing about them is display only.
No. These are chess pieces only. Neither a board nor a storage box is included, so you will need to pair them with a board that has 55mm squares and arrange storage separately.
55mm squares are the recommended match for a 103mm king with a 39mm base. Boards with 50mm squares will hold the pieces but feel tight in a crowded position, and 57mm squares give more room at the cost of the pieces looking slightly small.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from damp, because neither timber is UV resistant or waterproof. Wipe them with a dry soft cloth. A light application of a furniture wax once or twice a year keeps the sheesham from drying out.
Sheesham sits below ebony and bud rosewood on density and on depth of colour, and above the plainer stained options on grain character. Our reproduction chess pieces collection groups them together so you can compare king heights and timbers side by side.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
103mm |
King base diameter |
39mm |
Queen height |
87mm |
Bishop height |
83mm |
Knight height |
79mm |
Rook height |
68mm |
Pawn height |
60mm |
Dark pieces material |
Sheesham |
Light pieces material |
Boxwood |
Number of pieces |
34 chessmen |
Extra queens |
2, one per colour |
Total weight |
Approx 1450g, plus or minus 10 percent |
Weighting |
Heavily weighted |
Recommended square size |
55mm |
Base finish |
Thick green felt |
34 chess pieces in sheesham and 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.
