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The Russian Zagreb 59 is a faithful reproduction of the chessmen used at the world chess tournament held in Zagreb in 1959. This is the rosewood version of it, with a 98mm king and a boxwood light army.
The shapes are rounded and calm. Every piece is drawn with a simple curve to it and there is no sharp point anywhere in the set, which is a large part of why it is such comfortable company over a long game.
The knight is the exception to all that evenness. Its appearance is distinct, and it is the piece that tells you which pattern you are playing with from the other side of the room.
The set is double weighted, so a piece comes down, stops dead and stays where it lands. Rosewood against boxwood keeps the contrast warm, and the two armies read clearly apart without shouting at each other.
Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.
The handling is what wins people over. Nothing in this army has an edge or a spike to dig into a palm, and three hours into a long game that matters more than it sounds.
The horse is where the character sits. Everything else in the army is drawn quietly and evenly, so the knight is the one doing the talking, and it is worth a proper look before you buy.
Double weighting suits this pattern. The shapes are rounded, so without some mass behind them the pieces would feel slight; with it, each one stands firm on its base and takes a knock without going over.
The honest note is that this is a plain army by design. It is a working tournament pattern rather than a display piece, and anyone shopping for drama in a set of chessmen will find it understated.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 60mm, which is a wide window, and the upper half of it is where the set looks right. At the bottom there is almost no board showing around the king and the back rank crowds.
This is a set for a player first. It is built around a comfortable hold and a base that stays put, which are the two things you stop noticing when they are right and never stop noticing when they are wrong.
It suits a club or a home game where the same set comes out every week. The shapes are forgiving, there are no sharp points to catch on a sleeve, and the whole set is built to be handled daily.
It also suits anyone who likes a pattern with some history behind it. The originals were played at a world chess tournament in Zagreb in 1959, and this set is drawn to reproduce them.
It is not the set for a buyer who wants a showpiece. The pattern is even and understated by design, so anyone shopping for a centrepiece should keep looking rather than settle for this one.
Check the board before you order. Measure the squares you already own, take the upper half of the window if you are buying new, and be ready to replace a board that comes up short rather than squeezing this army onto it.
Looking after them is a simple job. 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.
This is the one I would put on a club table and forget about.
No single detail here will make you gasp, and that is rather the point. A pattern like this earns its keep over hundreds of games, through shapes that are easy to hold, easy to tell apart and heavy enough to stay put.
If you want a set that makes an entrance instead, this is not it, and you would be better off across our staunton chess pieces where the pattern itself does more of the work.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 60mm. That is a wide window, so aim high inside it: the upper half gives the army room to breathe, and the bottom end is tight.
The chessmen from the 1959 tournament in Zagreb. The proportions and the shapes follow those pieces, and the set carries the year in its name for that reason.
1,350 grams for the full set. It is double weighted, so there is real presence in the hand and a piece needs no help to stand straight.
Rosewood for the dark side and boxwood for the light. Rosewood is the deeper, redder of the two, and the pairing keeps the contrast warm instead of stark.
34 chess pieces. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No. This listing covers the chessmen only, so a board and a storage box are both bought separately; use the square window in the specifications below when you shop for the board.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 42mm base |
|
Queen |
84mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base |
|
Bishop |
77mm high (3.0 inch), 37mm base |
|
Knight |
71mm high (2.8 inch), 36mm base |
|
Rook |
64mm high (2.5 inch), 36mm base |
|
Pawn |
55mm high (2.2 inch), 31mm base |
|
Dark pieces |
Rosewood |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
King height |
98mm |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 60mm (1.97 inch to 2.36 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,350 grams (3.0 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces
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 Zagreb 59 is a faithful reproduction of the chessmen used at the world chess tournament held in Zagreb in 1959. This is the rosewood version of it, with a 98mm king and a boxwood light army.
The shapes are rounded and calm. Every piece is drawn with a simple curve to it and there is no sharp point anywhere in the set, which is a large part of why it is such comfortable company over a long game.
The knight is the exception to all that evenness. Its appearance is distinct, and it is the piece that tells you which pattern you are playing with from the other side of the room.
The set is double weighted, so a piece comes down, stops dead and stays where it lands. Rosewood against boxwood keeps the contrast warm, and the two armies read clearly apart without shouting at each other.
Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.
The handling is what wins people over. Nothing in this army has an edge or a spike to dig into a palm, and three hours into a long game that matters more than it sounds.
The horse is where the character sits. Everything else in the army is drawn quietly and evenly, so the knight is the one doing the talking, and it is worth a proper look before you buy.
Double weighting suits this pattern. The shapes are rounded, so without some mass behind them the pieces would feel slight; with it, each one stands firm on its base and takes a knock without going over.
The honest note is that this is a plain army by design. It is a working tournament pattern rather than a display piece, and anyone shopping for drama in a set of chessmen will find it understated.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 50mm to 60mm, which is a wide window, and the upper half of it is where the set looks right. At the bottom there is almost no board showing around the king and the back rank crowds.
This is a set for a player first. It is built around a comfortable hold and a base that stays put, which are the two things you stop noticing when they are right and never stop noticing when they are wrong.
It suits a club or a home game where the same set comes out every week. The shapes are forgiving, there are no sharp points to catch on a sleeve, and the whole set is built to be handled daily.
It also suits anyone who likes a pattern with some history behind it. The originals were played at a world chess tournament in Zagreb in 1959, and this set is drawn to reproduce them.
It is not the set for a buyer who wants a showpiece. The pattern is even and understated by design, so anyone shopping for a centrepiece should keep looking rather than settle for this one.
Check the board before you order. Measure the squares you already own, take the upper half of the window if you are buying new, and be ready to replace a board that comes up short rather than squeezing this army onto it.
Looking after them is a simple job. 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.
This is the one I would put on a club table and forget about.
No single detail here will make you gasp, and that is rather the point. A pattern like this earns its keep over hundreds of games, through shapes that are easy to hold, easy to tell apart and heavy enough to stay put.
If you want a set that makes an entrance instead, this is not it, and you would be better off across our staunton chess pieces where the pattern itself does more of the work.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 50mm to 60mm. That is a wide window, so aim high inside it: the upper half gives the army room to breathe, and the bottom end is tight.
The chessmen from the 1959 tournament in Zagreb. The proportions and the shapes follow those pieces, and the set carries the year in its name for that reason.
1,350 grams for the full set. It is double weighted, so there is real presence in the hand and a piece needs no help to stand straight.
Rosewood for the dark side and boxwood for the light. Rosewood is the deeper, redder of the two, and the pairing keeps the contrast warm instead of stark.
34 chess pieces. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No. This listing covers the chessmen only, so a board and a storage box are both bought separately; use the square window in the specifications below when you shop for the board.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 42mm base |
|
Queen |
84mm high (3.3 inch), 40mm base |
|
Bishop |
77mm high (3.0 inch), 37mm base |
|
Knight |
71mm high (2.8 inch), 36mm base |
|
Rook |
64mm high (2.5 inch), 36mm base |
|
Pawn |
55mm high (2.2 inch), 31mm base |
|
Dark pieces |
Rosewood |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
King height |
98mm |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 60mm (1.97 inch to 2.36 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,350 grams (3.0 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces
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.
