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Two details give this pattern away. The rook has four cuts in its turret rather than the usual eight, so the castellation reads as a cross from above. And the finial on each bishop is turned in the opposing colour, a Soviet and central European habit that English sets never adopted.
The third giveaway is the bishop itself. At 77mm it stands a millimetre taller than the 76mm queen, which no modern tournament set allows and which tells you immediately that this design predates the conventions we now take for granted.
Rosewood against natural boxwood, 1,200g on a 98mm king with notably wide bases. It sits in our reproduction chess pieces.
Most of the reproductions we carry are English or Soviet. This one sits between the two traditions and borrows from both, which is exactly what you would expect of a pattern that came out of central Europe in the middle of the twentieth century.
From the Soviet side it takes the contrasting bishop finials and the wide, planted bases. From the English side it takes the overall Staunton architecture and a properly carved knight. The four cut rook belongs to neither and is the detail that makes the set identifiable at a glance.
What you give up against a modern tournament set is the tidy height hierarchy. A bishop above the queen takes adjusting to. Compare with the conventional patterns in our reproduction chess pieces if that matters to you.
Romanian and Hungarian national tournaments in the postwar decades used equipment made regionally rather than imported, and the makers were working within reach of both the Soviet workshops to the east and the English pattern that dominated international play. What they produced borrows deliberately from both.
The contrasting bishop finial is the clearest borrowing. Soviet sets used it as a quick identifier, a small ball of the opposing timber set at the top of the mitre, and it survives here. Against that, the knight is carved in the English manner with a proper mane and muzzle rather than the blunt Soviet head. The set was reproduced in collaboration with the collector Michael Ladzinski.
A Staunton rook is normally castellated with eight cuts around the top, which reads as a ring of battlements from any angle. This one uses four, spaced at ninety degrees, so from directly above the top of the rook forms a clean cross.
It is faster to turn and it is more legible from a seated position, because four deep cuts throw stronger shadows than eight shallow ones. Small decisions like this are what separate equipment designed by people who played on it from equipment designed to be photographed.
The 40mm king base gives a range of 50mm to 60mm squares. The officers all sit on 35mm and the pawn on 31mm, which is wide for the heights involved, so this set fills a board more than the numbers alone suggest. Toward the upper end of the range is the safer choice.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and the wider Staunton chess pieces range follows the same convention.
The details here are the reason to own it, and they are real rather than cosmetic. Four cut turrets throw stronger shadows and read faster from a seated position; contrasting bishop finials identify the piece instantly; wide bases keep everything upright. This is equipment designed by people who used it. The caveat is the bishop standing above the queen, which is faithful to the original and will look wrong to anyone raised on modern proportions until they have played a few games with it. Worth the adjustment.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 60mm, from the 40mm king base. The bases are wide for the heights involved, so the upper end of that range is the safer choice.
At 77mm against 76mm the bishop stands fractionally above the queen. That is faithful to the original pattern rather than an error, and it is characteristic of designs that predate modern tournament conventions.
The small ball at the top of each bishop is turned in the opposing timber, so a dark bishop carries a light finial and the reverse. It is a Soviet and central European identifier that English Staunton sets never adopted.
Four deep cuts at ninety degrees read as a cross from above and throw stronger shadows than eight shallow ones, which makes the piece easier to identify from a seated position.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately across our chess boards collection and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
98mm (3.85 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
|
Queen height |
76mm (2.99 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
39mm (1.53 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
77mm (3.03 inch) |
|
Knight height |
68mm (2.67 inch) |
|
Rook height |
53mm (2.08 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
35mm (1.37 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
49mm (1.92 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
31mm (1.22 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Rosewood |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt bases |
|
Special details |
Four cut rook turrets, contrasting bishop finials |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,200g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 60mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in rosewood 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.
Two details give this pattern away. The rook has four cuts in its turret rather than the usual eight, so the castellation reads as a cross from above. And the finial on each bishop is turned in the opposing colour, a Soviet and central European habit that English sets never adopted.
The third giveaway is the bishop itself. At 77mm it stands a millimetre taller than the 76mm queen, which no modern tournament set allows and which tells you immediately that this design predates the conventions we now take for granted.
Rosewood against natural boxwood, 1,200g on a 98mm king with notably wide bases. It sits in our reproduction chess pieces.
Most of the reproductions we carry are English or Soviet. This one sits between the two traditions and borrows from both, which is exactly what you would expect of a pattern that came out of central Europe in the middle of the twentieth century.
From the Soviet side it takes the contrasting bishop finials and the wide, planted bases. From the English side it takes the overall Staunton architecture and a properly carved knight. The four cut rook belongs to neither and is the detail that makes the set identifiable at a glance.
What you give up against a modern tournament set is the tidy height hierarchy. A bishop above the queen takes adjusting to. Compare with the conventional patterns in our reproduction chess pieces if that matters to you.
Romanian and Hungarian national tournaments in the postwar decades used equipment made regionally rather than imported, and the makers were working within reach of both the Soviet workshops to the east and the English pattern that dominated international play. What they produced borrows deliberately from both.
The contrasting bishop finial is the clearest borrowing. Soviet sets used it as a quick identifier, a small ball of the opposing timber set at the top of the mitre, and it survives here. Against that, the knight is carved in the English manner with a proper mane and muzzle rather than the blunt Soviet head. The set was reproduced in collaboration with the collector Michael Ladzinski.
A Staunton rook is normally castellated with eight cuts around the top, which reads as a ring of battlements from any angle. This one uses four, spaced at ninety degrees, so from directly above the top of the rook forms a clean cross.
It is faster to turn and it is more legible from a seated position, because four deep cuts throw stronger shadows than eight shallow ones. Small decisions like this are what separate equipment designed by people who played on it from equipment designed to be photographed.
The 40mm king base gives a range of 50mm to 60mm squares. The officers all sit on 35mm and the pawn on 31mm, which is wide for the heights involved, so this set fills a board more than the numbers alone suggest. Toward the upper end of the range is the safer choice.
No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size, and the wider Staunton chess pieces range follows the same convention.
The details here are the reason to own it, and they are real rather than cosmetic. Four cut turrets throw stronger shadows and read faster from a seated position; contrasting bishop finials identify the piece instantly; wide bases keep everything upright. This is equipment designed by people who used it. The caveat is the bishop standing above the queen, which is faithful to the original and will look wrong to anyone raised on modern proportions until they have played a few games with it. Worth the adjustment.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 60mm, from the 40mm king base. The bases are wide for the heights involved, so the upper end of that range is the safer choice.
At 77mm against 76mm the bishop stands fractionally above the queen. That is faithful to the original pattern rather than an error, and it is characteristic of designs that predate modern tournament conventions.
The small ball at the top of each bishop is turned in the opposing timber, so a dark bishop carries a light finial and the reverse. It is a Soviet and central European identifier that English Staunton sets never adopted.
Four deep cuts at ninety degrees read as a cross from above and throw stronger shadows than eight shallow ones, which makes the piece easier to identify from a seated position.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only, including the two spare queens. Boards are sold separately across our chess boards collection and no storage box ships with the set.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
98mm (3.85 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
|
Queen height |
76mm (2.99 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
39mm (1.53 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
77mm (3.03 inch) |
|
Knight height |
68mm (2.67 inch) |
|
Rook height |
53mm (2.08 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
35mm (1.37 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
49mm (1.92 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
31mm (1.22 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Rosewood |
|
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt bases |
|
Special details |
Four cut rook turrets, contrasting bishop finials |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,200g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 60mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in rosewood 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.
