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The Reykjavik match of 1972 is the one most people mean when they say they watched chess. The pieces used there were a low, broad Staunton with a short knight and a compact 96mm king, and this is a faithful reproduction of that pattern in ebonised and antiqued boxwood.
What this listing adds over the pieces on their own is the board, and there are two to choose from. One is a 55cm poplar and olive veneer board in a matte finish; the other is a 53cm board in ebony and boxwood, and nearly twice as thick at 22mm. Both take 55mm squares, which is what the 43mm king base asks for.
The pieces are identical whichever you pick. Sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The pieces do not change. The board does, and the two are genuinely different objects rather than two sizes of the same thing.
The 55cm board is the larger of the two and the more restrained, in poplar and olive veneer. It is 13mm thick, finished matte rather than gloss, and weighs around 2,900g. Veneer construction is what lets a board this size stay light and flat, and the matte finish keeps the pieces readable under a lamp without glare.
The 53cm ebony and boxwood board is 22mm thick and weighs about 4,000g, with green velvet on the underside. That is nearly twice the thickness of the other option and a third more weight, so it sits on a table like a piece of furniture rather than like equipment. Two centimetres smaller across, and considerably more substantial in the hand. Both sit alongside the rest of our chess boards collection.
Set it next to a modern tournament set and the difference is in the proportions rather than the height. The king is 96mm, which is ordinary, but it stands on a 43mm base, which is wide for that height, and the knight only reaches 66mm where a modern one would push 75mm or more.
The effect is a back rank that reads as low and solid rather than as a stepped ladder. That was the point: pieces that sat down firmly, did not tip under a clock, and separated clearly on camera. It is why the pattern is still copied more than fifty years on.
The dark pieces are ebonised boxwood, dyed and finished to a deep even black rather than turned from ebony heartwood. The light pieces are antiqued boxwood, toned down from bright cream to a warmer, slightly used colour.
Together that gives a board with less glare and more depth than a stark black and white set, and it is closer to how the originals looked under tournament lighting. It also means contrast is a shade softer than an ebony and natural boxwood set, which matters if you play in a dim room.
Thirty four pieces including two spare queens, plus the board you choose. No storage box is included with either option, so if you want the set put away rather than left out, that is bought separately.
Weighting is added by hand, so piece weights vary by around ten per cent between sets, and the boards are handmade too. If you would rather buy the pieces alone and pair them with a board of your own, they are listed separately across our chess pieces collection.
This is the pattern to buy if the 1972 match is the reason you care about chess, and having the board included takes the guesswork out of matching square size to base diameter, which is where most people go wrong. On the board choice, I would take the 53cm ebony one unless you specifically want the larger playing surface. Twenty two millimetres feels like a piece of furniture where 13mm feels like equipment, and it is the cheaper of the two options, which is unusual. The poplar veneer board earns its price differently: it is bigger, lighter to move, and the matte finish is genuinely easier on the eyes over a long game. Neither is a compromise. The one honest caveat applies to both: ebonised against antiqued boxwood is a softer contrast than black against cream, so play under decent light.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Size and construction. The 55cm board is poplar and olive veneer, 13mm thick and around 2,900g, in a matte finish. The 53cm board is ebony and boxwood, 22mm thick and around 4,000g, with green velvet underneath. Both have 55mm squares and both suit the pieces equally.
Yes, identical. Same 96mm king on a 43mm base, same ebonised and antiqued boxwood, same weighting. Only the board changes.
The pieces are ebonised boxwood, dyed and finished to a deep black rather than turned from ebony heartwood. The 53cm board option does use ebony for its dark squares.
No. Both options include the 34 pieces and the board only. Storage boxes are sold separately.
Yes. The same pattern is listed separately as pieces only if you already have a board with 55mm squares.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
96mm (3.77 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.70 inch) |
|
Queen height |
77mm (3.02 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
41mm (1.59 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
71mm (2.79 inch) |
|
Knight height |
66mm (2.58 inch) |
|
Rook height |
55mm (2.18 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (1.95 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
31mm (1.22 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, with felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Chess pieces weight |
1,130g approximate |
|
Board size |
55cm or 53cm square, depending on option |
|
Board square size |
55mm on both options |
|
Board thickness |
13mm on the 55cm veneer option, 22mm on the 53cm ebony option |
|
Board construction |
Poplar and olive veneer with a matte finish, or ebony and boxwood with green velvet underneath |
|
Board weight |
2,900g on the 55cm option, 4,000g on the 53cm option |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
One chess board with 55mm squares, in your chosen size and construction
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 Reykjavik match of 1972 is the one most people mean when they say they watched chess. The pieces used there were a low, broad Staunton with a short knight and a compact 96mm king, and this is a faithful reproduction of that pattern in ebonised and antiqued boxwood.
What this listing adds over the pieces on their own is the board, and there are two to choose from. One is a 55cm poplar and olive veneer board in a matte finish; the other is a 53cm board in ebony and boxwood, and nearly twice as thick at 22mm. Both take 55mm squares, which is what the 43mm king base asks for.
The pieces are identical whichever you pick. Sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The pieces do not change. The board does, and the two are genuinely different objects rather than two sizes of the same thing.
The 55cm board is the larger of the two and the more restrained, in poplar and olive veneer. It is 13mm thick, finished matte rather than gloss, and weighs around 2,900g. Veneer construction is what lets a board this size stay light and flat, and the matte finish keeps the pieces readable under a lamp without glare.
The 53cm ebony and boxwood board is 22mm thick and weighs about 4,000g, with green velvet on the underside. That is nearly twice the thickness of the other option and a third more weight, so it sits on a table like a piece of furniture rather than like equipment. Two centimetres smaller across, and considerably more substantial in the hand. Both sit alongside the rest of our chess boards collection.
Set it next to a modern tournament set and the difference is in the proportions rather than the height. The king is 96mm, which is ordinary, but it stands on a 43mm base, which is wide for that height, and the knight only reaches 66mm where a modern one would push 75mm or more.
The effect is a back rank that reads as low and solid rather than as a stepped ladder. That was the point: pieces that sat down firmly, did not tip under a clock, and separated clearly on camera. It is why the pattern is still copied more than fifty years on.
The dark pieces are ebonised boxwood, dyed and finished to a deep even black rather than turned from ebony heartwood. The light pieces are antiqued boxwood, toned down from bright cream to a warmer, slightly used colour.
Together that gives a board with less glare and more depth than a stark black and white set, and it is closer to how the originals looked under tournament lighting. It also means contrast is a shade softer than an ebony and natural boxwood set, which matters if you play in a dim room.
Thirty four pieces including two spare queens, plus the board you choose. No storage box is included with either option, so if you want the set put away rather than left out, that is bought separately.
Weighting is added by hand, so piece weights vary by around ten per cent between sets, and the boards are handmade too. If you would rather buy the pieces alone and pair them with a board of your own, they are listed separately across our chess pieces collection.
This is the pattern to buy if the 1972 match is the reason you care about chess, and having the board included takes the guesswork out of matching square size to base diameter, which is where most people go wrong. On the board choice, I would take the 53cm ebony one unless you specifically want the larger playing surface. Twenty two millimetres feels like a piece of furniture where 13mm feels like equipment, and it is the cheaper of the two options, which is unusual. The poplar veneer board earns its price differently: it is bigger, lighter to move, and the matte finish is genuinely easier on the eyes over a long game. Neither is a compromise. The one honest caveat applies to both: ebonised against antiqued boxwood is a softer contrast than black against cream, so play under decent light.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Size and construction. The 55cm board is poplar and olive veneer, 13mm thick and around 2,900g, in a matte finish. The 53cm board is ebony and boxwood, 22mm thick and around 4,000g, with green velvet underneath. Both have 55mm squares and both suit the pieces equally.
Yes, identical. Same 96mm king on a 43mm base, same ebonised and antiqued boxwood, same weighting. Only the board changes.
The pieces are ebonised boxwood, dyed and finished to a deep black rather than turned from ebony heartwood. The 53cm board option does use ebony for its dark squares.
No. Both options include the 34 pieces and the board only. Storage boxes are sold separately.
Yes. The same pattern is listed separately as pieces only if you already have a board with 55mm squares.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
96mm (3.77 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.70 inch) |
|
Queen height |
77mm (3.02 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
41mm (1.59 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
71mm (2.79 inch) |
|
Knight height |
66mm (2.58 inch) |
|
Rook height |
55mm (2.18 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
37mm (1.45 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
50mm (1.95 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
31mm (1.22 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, with felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Chess pieces weight |
1,130g approximate |
|
Board size |
55cm or 53cm square, depending on option |
|
Board square size |
55mm on both options |
|
Board thickness |
13mm on the 55cm veneer option, 22mm on the 53cm ebony option |
|
Board construction |
Poplar and olive veneer with a matte finish, or ebony and boxwood with green velvet underneath |
|
Board weight |
2,900g on the 55cm option, 4,000g on the 53cm option |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Storage box |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
One chess board with 55mm squares, in your chosen size and construction
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.
