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The 17th Chess Olympiad ran in Havana from 23 October to 20 November 1966. Petrosian led a Soviet team of six grandmasters to an eighth consecutive gold medal, the United States took silver, and Hungary edged Yugoslavia for bronze on a tiebreak so fine that the alternative version of the same formula would have reversed it.
The pieces were made by Cuban craftsmen in Havana, working from the 1900 Jaques Marshall pattern rather than inventing a new one. This is a reproduction of that set: a 99mm king on a 43mm base, ebonised boxwood against natural boxwood, double weighted at 1,130g.
It is a working tournament design with a specific event behind it, and it sits within our reproduction chess pieces.
Reproduction sets usually trace back to a workshop or a designer. This one traces back to a tournament. The Cuban makers were not producing a collector piece; they were equipping an event with 52 competing nations, and the design choices follow from that.
The result is a set with no unusual proportions to defend. The king is 99mm, the base is 43mm, the officers step down evenly, and the whole thing drops onto a standard 55mm board. It is closer to a well made club set than to the eccentric patterns elsewhere in this range.
Where it differs from a modern tournament set is weight. At 1,130g it is lighter than most current equipment of the same height. Compare it against the heavier options in the Staunton chess pieces range.
The 1966 Olympiad was the largest chess event Cuba had ever hosted, and the equipment was made locally rather than imported. The craftsmen took as their reference the Jaques Marshall design of around 1900, a pattern already familiar to strong players and unmistakable across a hall.
What they produced sits between the two traditions. The proportions are English, following the Marshall reference closely, but the execution is Caribbean: slightly heavier collars, a fractionally squarer rook, and a knight cut with a broader jaw than a London workshop would have given it. The reproduction keeps those departures rather than tidying them back toward the source.
The bishop reaches 75mm and the knight 72mm, only 3mm apart, and both sit on the same 37mm base as the rook. Across the back rank that produces an unusually level line either side of the royal pieces, which is part of why the set photographs as orderly rather than dramatic.
It also has a practical effect. With the officers close in height, a player scanning the board reads position rather than silhouette, which is exactly how tournament equipment is meant to behave. The high contrast between ebonised and natural boxwood does the rest of the work.
The 43mm king base puts this set on 55mm squares, standard tournament sizing. That is the size the original event used and the size the proportions were drawn for, so there is no reason to go larger.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and the rest of the chess pieces collection lists the recommended square size on every set.
This is a straightforward set with an unusually specific story: made in Havana for a named event, based on a pattern anyone can look up. There is nothing eccentric to accommodate, the 43mm base on 55mm squares is correct, and the high contrast pairing reads instantly. The caveat is that at 1,130g it is lighter than contemporary tournament equipment of the same height, so it will feel modest to anyone stepping across from a triple weighted set. We would recommend it to a player who wants tournament provenance in a set they will actually use every week.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm, standard tournament sizing. That comes from the 43mm king base rather than the 99mm height.
No. The dark pieces are ebonised boxwood, taken to a deep black finish, paired with natural boxwood for high contrast. Genuine ebony sets are available across our wood chess pieces range.
The Cuban craftsmen who made the original 1966 set worked from the Marshall pattern rather than designing from scratch. This reproduction follows the Havana version, including the small departures from the English original.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
1,130g across 34 pieces, around 33g a piece. It is double weighted and stable, but lighter than most modern tournament sets of the same king height.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
99mm (3.90 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.73 inch) |
|
Queen height |
81mm (3.20 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
41mm (1.62 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (2.97 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.87 inch) |
|
Rook height |
61mm (2.41 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
54mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
37mm (1.47 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted, thick green felt bases |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,130g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in ebonised 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.
The 17th Chess Olympiad ran in Havana from 23 October to 20 November 1966. Petrosian led a Soviet team of six grandmasters to an eighth consecutive gold medal, the United States took silver, and Hungary edged Yugoslavia for bronze on a tiebreak so fine that the alternative version of the same formula would have reversed it.
The pieces were made by Cuban craftsmen in Havana, working from the 1900 Jaques Marshall pattern rather than inventing a new one. This is a reproduction of that set: a 99mm king on a 43mm base, ebonised boxwood against natural boxwood, double weighted at 1,130g.
It is a working tournament design with a specific event behind it, and it sits within our reproduction chess pieces.
Reproduction sets usually trace back to a workshop or a designer. This one traces back to a tournament. The Cuban makers were not producing a collector piece; they were equipping an event with 52 competing nations, and the design choices follow from that.
The result is a set with no unusual proportions to defend. The king is 99mm, the base is 43mm, the officers step down evenly, and the whole thing drops onto a standard 55mm board. It is closer to a well made club set than to the eccentric patterns elsewhere in this range.
Where it differs from a modern tournament set is weight. At 1,130g it is lighter than most current equipment of the same height. Compare it against the heavier options in the Staunton chess pieces range.
The 1966 Olympiad was the largest chess event Cuba had ever hosted, and the equipment was made locally rather than imported. The craftsmen took as their reference the Jaques Marshall design of around 1900, a pattern already familiar to strong players and unmistakable across a hall.
What they produced sits between the two traditions. The proportions are English, following the Marshall reference closely, but the execution is Caribbean: slightly heavier collars, a fractionally squarer rook, and a knight cut with a broader jaw than a London workshop would have given it. The reproduction keeps those departures rather than tidying them back toward the source.
The bishop reaches 75mm and the knight 72mm, only 3mm apart, and both sit on the same 37mm base as the rook. Across the back rank that produces an unusually level line either side of the royal pieces, which is part of why the set photographs as orderly rather than dramatic.
It also has a practical effect. With the officers close in height, a player scanning the board reads position rather than silhouette, which is exactly how tournament equipment is meant to behave. The high contrast between ebonised and natural boxwood does the rest of the work.
The 43mm king base puts this set on 55mm squares, standard tournament sizing. That is the size the original event used and the size the proportions were drawn for, so there is no reason to go larger.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and the rest of the chess pieces collection lists the recommended square size on every set.
This is a straightforward set with an unusually specific story: made in Havana for a named event, based on a pattern anyone can look up. There is nothing eccentric to accommodate, the 43mm base on 55mm squares is correct, and the high contrast pairing reads instantly. The caveat is that at 1,130g it is lighter than contemporary tournament equipment of the same height, so it will feel modest to anyone stepping across from a triple weighted set. We would recommend it to a player who wants tournament provenance in a set they will actually use every week.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm, standard tournament sizing. That comes from the 43mm king base rather than the 99mm height.
No. The dark pieces are ebonised boxwood, taken to a deep black finish, paired with natural boxwood for high contrast. Genuine ebony sets are available across our wood chess pieces range.
The Cuban craftsmen who made the original 1966 set worked from the Marshall pattern rather than designing from scratch. This reproduction follows the Havana version, including the small departures from the English original.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately and no storage box ships with the set.
1,130g across 34 pieces, around 33g a piece. It is double weighted and stable, but lighter than most modern tournament sets of the same king height.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
99mm (3.90 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.73 inch) |
|
Queen height |
81mm (3.20 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
41mm (1.62 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
75mm (2.97 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.87 inch) |
|
Rook height |
61mm (2.41 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
54mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
37mm (1.47 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia) |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted, thick green felt bases |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,130g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in ebonised 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.
