✔ Australian Owned & Operated
✔ FREE Shipping On All Orders
✔ 100 Day FREE Returns
✔ Authorised Australian Dealer
✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
The Russian Poni is a minimalist army, and it is inspired by the chessmen played with at Russian championships in the middle of the last century.
Every piece is profiled rather than detailed. There are no fine points and nothing fiddly anywhere, which is what gives the set its calm and uncluttered look on a board.
The array runs to 34 pieces, which is a full set plus a spare queen for each army, so a promotion never sends you hunting for an upturned rook.
At 78mm the king sits at a proper playing scale, and the set comes in two timbers, alike in everything but the timber on the dark army.
You will find it in our minimalist chess pieces.
What you get is an army that reads by outline. The pieces are beautifully profiled, and one is told from another by silhouette more than by any ornament on it.
The knight is where the pattern shows its face. It stands out from the calm around it, and on a board full of quiet curves it is the shape your eye goes to first.
The full array comes to 700 grams, and that is what you notice when you lift one of these men. Nothing about the army feels slight once it is out on the board.
The trade off with a pared back pattern is that there is less detail to grab hold of, so a newer player takes a game or two to settle into which piece is which.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 40mm to 45mm, and either end of that window works. The tighter end keeps the ranks compact, and the wider end leaves more bare board around each outline.
Golden rosewood is the warmer option. The dark army is a honey brown that sits near the boxwood light side in tone, which gives you a soft looking board.
The ebonised option is the emphatic one. Its dark army is pale boxwood taken down almost to black, so the two sides pull apart and stay easy to tell at a glance.
Nothing else divides them. Heights, shapes, weight and the square window are all shared, so what you are choosing here is how the board looks and nothing more.
A dark board takes the golden rosewood better, because an ebonised army can sink into a dark surface and lose its outline. A pale or natural board suits either one.
Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.
I have a soft spot for this pattern. The pared back shapes look modern on a table, and the army has enough life in it to stop the whole thing from feeling austere.
It is a set that wants a plain board under it. A busy or heavily bordered board will fight these outlines, and the quiet of the pattern is the whole point of owning it.
If you want a traditional army with full Staunton detailing, our staunton chess pieces are the place to look.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 40mm to 45mm. Either end of that window is a comfortable fit, so buy whichever board suits the room you are putting it in and the army will sit properly on it.
It is the one piece with a look of its own. The rest of the army is calm and even, and the horse is the shape that carries the character of the whole pattern.
Only in the colour of the dark side. The golden rosewood army is a warm honey brown; the ebonised one goes almost to black. Everything else about the two is the same.
700 grams for all 34 pieces. That gives each man a decent bit of heft for its height, and the army as a whole still moves around the house easily.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
78mm high (3.1 inch), 32mm base |
|
Queen |
63mm high (2.5 inch), 32mm base |
|
Bishop |
56mm high (2.2 inch), 29mm base |
|
Knight |
50mm high (2.0 inch), 29mm base |
|
Rook |
45mm high (1.8 inch), 29mm base |
|
Pawn |
38mm high (1.5 inch), 25mm base |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Golden Rosewood option |
Golden rosewood (sheesham) dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
King height, both timbers |
78mm |
|
Recommended square size |
40mm to 45mm (1.56 inch to 1.76 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
700 grams (1.5 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, including a spare queen of each 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 Russian Poni is a minimalist army, and it is inspired by the chessmen played with at Russian championships in the middle of the last century.
Every piece is profiled rather than detailed. There are no fine points and nothing fiddly anywhere, which is what gives the set its calm and uncluttered look on a board.
The array runs to 34 pieces, which is a full set plus a spare queen for each army, so a promotion never sends you hunting for an upturned rook.
At 78mm the king sits at a proper playing scale, and the set comes in two timbers, alike in everything but the timber on the dark army.
You will find it in our minimalist chess pieces.
What you get is an army that reads by outline. The pieces are beautifully profiled, and one is told from another by silhouette more than by any ornament on it.
The knight is where the pattern shows its face. It stands out from the calm around it, and on a board full of quiet curves it is the shape your eye goes to first.
The full array comes to 700 grams, and that is what you notice when you lift one of these men. Nothing about the army feels slight once it is out on the board.
The trade off with a pared back pattern is that there is less detail to grab hold of, so a newer player takes a game or two to settle into which piece is which.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 40mm to 45mm, and either end of that window works. The tighter end keeps the ranks compact, and the wider end leaves more bare board around each outline.
Golden rosewood is the warmer option. The dark army is a honey brown that sits near the boxwood light side in tone, which gives you a soft looking board.
The ebonised option is the emphatic one. Its dark army is pale boxwood taken down almost to black, so the two sides pull apart and stay easy to tell at a glance.
Nothing else divides them. Heights, shapes, weight and the square window are all shared, so what you are choosing here is how the board looks and nothing more.
A dark board takes the golden rosewood better, because an ebonised army can sink into a dark surface and lose its outline. A pale or natural board suits either one.
Looking after them is the same simple job whichever you choose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.
I have a soft spot for this pattern. The pared back shapes look modern on a table, and the army has enough life in it to stop the whole thing from feeling austere.
It is a set that wants a plain board under it. A busy or heavily bordered board will fight these outlines, and the quiet of the pattern is the whole point of owning it.
If you want a traditional army with full Staunton detailing, our staunton chess pieces are the place to look.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 40mm to 45mm. Either end of that window is a comfortable fit, so buy whichever board suits the room you are putting it in and the army will sit properly on it.
It is the one piece with a look of its own. The rest of the army is calm and even, and the horse is the shape that carries the character of the whole pattern.
Only in the colour of the dark side. The golden rosewood army is a warm honey brown; the ebonised one goes almost to black. Everything else about the two is the same.
700 grams for all 34 pieces. That gives each man a decent bit of heft for its height, and the army as a whole still moves around the house easily.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
78mm high (3.1 inch), 32mm base |
|
Queen |
63mm high (2.5 inch), 32mm base |
|
Bishop |
56mm high (2.2 inch), 29mm base |
|
Knight |
50mm high (2.0 inch), 29mm base |
|
Rook |
45mm high (1.8 inch), 29mm base |
|
Pawn |
38mm high (1.5 inch), 25mm base |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Golden Rosewood option |
Golden rosewood (sheesham) dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
King height, both timbers |
78mm |
|
Recommended square size |
40mm to 45mm (1.56 inch to 1.76 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
700 grams (1.5 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber option you select, including a spare queen of each 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.
