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The dark side of this set is not black and not brown. It is a warm golden amber, boxwood dyed rather than left natural or stained dark, and it is the only set in our range finished that way. Against plain boxwood the contrast is gentler than any ebony or ebonised set gives you, and the two sides read as two shades of honey rather than as light against dark.
Whether that suits you is worth deciding before anything else. It is unusual and it photographs beautifully. It also asks a little more of your eye across a crowded board than a conventional set does.
The pattern underneath is a William Hallett reproduction: a 102mm king and an 89mm queen sharing a 42mm base, double weighted to 1,450g. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
Almost every wooden set works the same way: a dark timber against a pale one, and the darker the dark side the faster the position reads. Ebony sits at one end, ebonised boxwood just behind it, then rosewood and sheesham in the middle. This set steps outside that scale entirely.
Golden dyed wood is boxwood taken up in colour rather than down. The result is warm and even, with the grain still showing through, and it pairs with the plain boxwood light side at a much closer value. On a board it looks considered rather than stark, and it is the sort of set people pick up to look at.
The cost is contrast. If you play fast, or in a dim room, a conventional dark side will always be easier to read at a glance. Our Staunton chess pieces range covers those, and the rest of the wood chess pieces range sits between the two extremes.
The king and queen both stand on 42mm. That is deliberate and it is not common. On most sets the queen sits on a base three to five millimetres narrower, which makes her read as the second piece even before you look at the crown.
Here they share a footprint and differ by 13mm of height, so the centre of the back rank presents as a pair. It gives the middle of the board more weight than the king height alone would suggest, and it is part of why a 102mm set feels larger on the table than the number implies.
Fourteen hundred and fifty grams across 34 pieces is around 43g a piece, which is substantial for a 102mm set. The weight comes from an iron stud set into each base before the felt goes on, and it is what gives a piece the settled feel when it lands rather than the hollow tap of an unweighted set.
Weighting is added by hand, so the figure varies by up to ten per cent between sets. That is normal for handmade pieces. The felt is thick green and cut to wrap the base rather than sit inside it, which keeps nothing catching as a piece slides across the board.
Squares of 55mm, set by the 42mm king base. Because the queen shares that base the back rank fills more than usual, so going smaller will crowd it.
One practical note on the finish: dyed timber is more sensitive to strong light than natural timber is. Keep the set out of a sunlit window and it will hold its colour indefinitely; leave it on a bright sill for a year and the golden tone will shift. Wipe with a dry cloth rather than anything damp. No board is included, and square sizes are listed throughout our chess boards collection.
I like this set because it does something nothing else in the range does. Golden dyed wood is a genuine rarity, the finish is even and warm, and the matched 42mm royal bases give the back rank real presence for a 102mm set. Double weighting at 1,450g is well judged too, heavy enough to feel solid without being tiring. Be clear eyed about the trade, though. Contrast between the two sides is the lowest of anything we sell, and that is not a flaw in the making, it is the point of the finish. If you play blitz or you play in low light, buy a conventional dark side instead and come back to this one when you want a set that looks like an object rather than equipment.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. The 42mm king base drives that, and because the queen shares the same base the back rank fills more than the king height alone would suggest.
Boxwood that has been dyed to a warm golden amber rather than stained dark or left natural. The grain still shows through. It is the only finish of its kind in our range.
Considerably gentler. The two sides read as two shades of honey rather than dark against light. It looks striking on a table and is slower to read across a crowded board, so it suits slow play better than blitz.
Yes, double weighted to around 1,450g across the full set with an iron stud in each base. Weighting is added by hand, so the total can vary by about ten per cent.
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.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
102mm (4.0 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
89mm (3.5 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
80mm (3.1 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
61mm (2.4 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
55mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Dark pieces |
Golden dyed wood |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,450g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
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 dark side of this set is not black and not brown. It is a warm golden amber, boxwood dyed rather than left natural or stained dark, and it is the only set in our range finished that way. Against plain boxwood the contrast is gentler than any ebony or ebonised set gives you, and the two sides read as two shades of honey rather than as light against dark.
Whether that suits you is worth deciding before anything else. It is unusual and it photographs beautifully. It also asks a little more of your eye across a crowded board than a conventional set does.
The pattern underneath is a William Hallett reproduction: a 102mm king and an 89mm queen sharing a 42mm base, double weighted to 1,450g. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
Almost every wooden set works the same way: a dark timber against a pale one, and the darker the dark side the faster the position reads. Ebony sits at one end, ebonised boxwood just behind it, then rosewood and sheesham in the middle. This set steps outside that scale entirely.
Golden dyed wood is boxwood taken up in colour rather than down. The result is warm and even, with the grain still showing through, and it pairs with the plain boxwood light side at a much closer value. On a board it looks considered rather than stark, and it is the sort of set people pick up to look at.
The cost is contrast. If you play fast, or in a dim room, a conventional dark side will always be easier to read at a glance. Our Staunton chess pieces range covers those, and the rest of the wood chess pieces range sits between the two extremes.
The king and queen both stand on 42mm. That is deliberate and it is not common. On most sets the queen sits on a base three to five millimetres narrower, which makes her read as the second piece even before you look at the crown.
Here they share a footprint and differ by 13mm of height, so the centre of the back rank presents as a pair. It gives the middle of the board more weight than the king height alone would suggest, and it is part of why a 102mm set feels larger on the table than the number implies.
Fourteen hundred and fifty grams across 34 pieces is around 43g a piece, which is substantial for a 102mm set. The weight comes from an iron stud set into each base before the felt goes on, and it is what gives a piece the settled feel when it lands rather than the hollow tap of an unweighted set.
Weighting is added by hand, so the figure varies by up to ten per cent between sets. That is normal for handmade pieces. The felt is thick green and cut to wrap the base rather than sit inside it, which keeps nothing catching as a piece slides across the board.
Squares of 55mm, set by the 42mm king base. Because the queen shares that base the back rank fills more than usual, so going smaller will crowd it.
One practical note on the finish: dyed timber is more sensitive to strong light than natural timber is. Keep the set out of a sunlit window and it will hold its colour indefinitely; leave it on a bright sill for a year and the golden tone will shift. Wipe with a dry cloth rather than anything damp. No board is included, and square sizes are listed throughout our chess boards collection.
I like this set because it does something nothing else in the range does. Golden dyed wood is a genuine rarity, the finish is even and warm, and the matched 42mm royal bases give the back rank real presence for a 102mm set. Double weighting at 1,450g is well judged too, heavy enough to feel solid without being tiring. Be clear eyed about the trade, though. Contrast between the two sides is the lowest of anything we sell, and that is not a flaw in the making, it is the point of the finish. If you play blitz or you play in low light, buy a conventional dark side instead and come back to this one when you want a set that looks like an object rather than equipment.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm. The 42mm king base drives that, and because the queen shares the same base the back rank fills more than the king height alone would suggest.
Boxwood that has been dyed to a warm golden amber rather than stained dark or left natural. The grain still shows through. It is the only finish of its kind in our range.
Considerably gentler. The two sides read as two shades of honey rather than dark against light. It looks striking on a table and is slower to read across a crowded board, so it suits slow play better than blitz.
Yes, double weighted to around 1,450g across the full set with an iron stud in each base. Weighting is added by hand, so the total can vary by about ten per cent.
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.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
102mm (4.0 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Queen height |
89mm (3.5 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
80mm (3.1 inch) |
|
Knight height |
72mm (2.8 inch) |
|
Rook height |
61mm (2.4 inch) |
|
Pawn height |
55mm (2.2 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.5 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Dark pieces |
Golden dyed wood |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,450g approximate |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
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.
