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The British Chess Company was founded in 1891 and spent two decades as the only serious rival to Jaques of London. It went about the problem differently, prioritising stability and its own hand carved knight, and it experimented with materials Jaques would not touch.
The double collar is its signature. Where a Jaques piece carries one turned ring below the head, a BCC king, queen, bishop and pawn carry two, which reads as a distinctly heavier and more banded profile.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, triple weighted to 1,710g on a 106mm king. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The two companies competed directly for twenty years and their sets are distinguishable at a glance once you know what to look for. Jaques used a single collar ring; BCC used two, which gives its pieces a banded, more architectural profile.
BCC also cut its rook crenellations deeper and more finely than the shallow notches a modern factory pattern uses, and its knights were hand carved to a house style rather than following the Jaques head.
Original BCC sets are rare and priced accordingly, which is the whole argument for a reproduction. Compare against the Jaques derived patterns across our Staunton chess pieces.
The collar ring below a piece's head is not decoration alone. It is a turned step that marks the transition from stem to head, and it also gives the fingers a natural place to grip.
Doubling it does both jobs more emphatically. The transition is more strongly marked, so the piece reads clearly at distance, and there is more for the hand to find without looking down. On a 106mm set that is a genuine ergonomic difference rather than a styling flourish, and it is the fastest way to identify a BCC reproduction.
Modern rooks carry three to five shallow notches cut into the turret, enough to signal a castle without weakening the timber. BCC cut deeper and finer, producing a more genuinely castellated silhouette.
It looks better and it is more fragile, which is the trade every deeply cut detail makes. On genuine ebony the risk is lower than on a softer timber, because ebony holds a carved edge cleanly, but the rooks are still the pieces to handle with a little care.
Squares of 60mm. A 43mm king base would normally suit 55mm, and the larger recommendation reflects how much visual detail the set carries: double collars and deep crenellations need clear space around them to read.
A plain or lightly figured board serves it far better than a heavily grained one for the same reason. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
Most reproductions in this range descend from Jaques, so a properly done BCC is genuinely worth having. The double collar is the detail that carries it: more emphatic than a single ring, easier to find with the hand, and the quickest way to tell the pattern across a room. The deep crenellation on the rooks is the other pleasure, and genuine ebony is the right timber for it because it holds a sharp carved edge. Two notes. Those deep cuts are more delicate than a modern shallow notch, so the rooks deserve care. And it asks for 60mm squares, more than the 43mm base alone would suggest, because the detailing needs room to read.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 60mm. That is larger than the 43mm king base alone would suggest, and it reflects how much detail the set carries: double collars and deep crenellations need clear space to read.
The double collar rings on the king, queen, bishops and pawns, where a Jaques derived piece carries one. The deeper, finer rook crenellation is the second marker.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed black.
Founded in 1891, it was the main rival to Jaques of London for around two decades, known for stable pieces, its own hand carved knight and a willingness to experiment with materials Jaques avoided. Original sets are rare and expensive.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
106mm (4.2 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
87mm (3.4 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
40mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
78mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
71mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
57mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
37mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
52mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.3 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Triple weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Detailing |
Double collar rings on king, queen, bishops and pawns |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,710g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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 British Chess Company was founded in 1891 and spent two decades as the only serious rival to Jaques of London. It went about the problem differently, prioritising stability and its own hand carved knight, and it experimented with materials Jaques would not touch.
The double collar is its signature. Where a Jaques piece carries one turned ring below the head, a BCC king, queen, bishop and pawn carry two, which reads as a distinctly heavier and more banded profile.
Genuine ebony against boxwood, triple weighted to 1,710g on a 106mm king. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
The two companies competed directly for twenty years and their sets are distinguishable at a glance once you know what to look for. Jaques used a single collar ring; BCC used two, which gives its pieces a banded, more architectural profile.
BCC also cut its rook crenellations deeper and more finely than the shallow notches a modern factory pattern uses, and its knights were hand carved to a house style rather than following the Jaques head.
Original BCC sets are rare and priced accordingly, which is the whole argument for a reproduction. Compare against the Jaques derived patterns across our Staunton chess pieces.
The collar ring below a piece's head is not decoration alone. It is a turned step that marks the transition from stem to head, and it also gives the fingers a natural place to grip.
Doubling it does both jobs more emphatically. The transition is more strongly marked, so the piece reads clearly at distance, and there is more for the hand to find without looking down. On a 106mm set that is a genuine ergonomic difference rather than a styling flourish, and it is the fastest way to identify a BCC reproduction.
Modern rooks carry three to five shallow notches cut into the turret, enough to signal a castle without weakening the timber. BCC cut deeper and finer, producing a more genuinely castellated silhouette.
It looks better and it is more fragile, which is the trade every deeply cut detail makes. On genuine ebony the risk is lower than on a softer timber, because ebony holds a carved edge cleanly, but the rooks are still the pieces to handle with a little care.
Squares of 60mm. A 43mm king base would normally suit 55mm, and the larger recommendation reflects how much visual detail the set carries: double collars and deep crenellations need clear space around them to read.
A plain or lightly figured board serves it far better than a heavily grained one for the same reason. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
Most reproductions in this range descend from Jaques, so a properly done BCC is genuinely worth having. The double collar is the detail that carries it: more emphatic than a single ring, easier to find with the hand, and the quickest way to tell the pattern across a room. The deep crenellation on the rooks is the other pleasure, and genuine ebony is the right timber for it because it holds a sharp carved edge. Two notes. Those deep cuts are more delicate than a modern shallow notch, so the rooks deserve care. And it asks for 60mm squares, more than the 43mm base alone would suggest, because the detailing needs room to read.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 60mm. That is larger than the 43mm king base alone would suggest, and it reflects how much detail the set carries: double collars and deep crenellations need clear space to read.
The double collar rings on the king, queen, bishops and pawns, where a Jaques derived piece carries one. The deeper, finer rook crenellation is the second marker.
Genuine ebony heartwood on the dark pieces, not boxwood dyed black.
Founded in 1891, it was the main rival to Jaques of London for around two decades, known for stable pieces, its own hand carved knight and a willingness to experiment with materials Jaques avoided. Original sets are rare and expensive.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
106mm (4.2 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
43mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
87mm (3.4 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
40mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
78mm (3.0 inch) |
|
Knight height |
71mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
57mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
37mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
52mm (2.0 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.3 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Triple weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Detailing |
Double collar rings on king, queen, bishops and pawns |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,710g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
60mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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.
