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Sleek Staunton Lacquered Boxwood 102mm Chess Pieces

Sleek Staunton 102mm Chess Pieces

by Sterling Chess
$439.00

✔ Australian Owned & Operated
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Description

Sleek Staunton 102mm Chess Pieces

The Sleek Staunton keeps the traditional Staunton outline and changes its proportions. The bases are wider and the shanks narrower than a standard club set, which draws every piece out and puts a broad foot underneath it at the same time.

The bishop, knight and rook all sit on one width of foot, so that stretch of the back rank stands evenly planted rather than tapering away.

The army is triple weighted and properly loaded. It was built with fast play in mind, where pieces get moved quickly and knocked often, and it behaves accordingly.

The king stands 102mm and the complete 34 pieces come to 1,700 grams, which is at the heavy end for a king that tall. Four options are offered on the same shapes.

It is listed with our staunton chess pieces.

 Sleek Staunton chessmen in black and white lacquered boxwood ready for play

Key features

  • A 102mm king with wider bases and narrower shanks than a standard Staunton
  • Triple weighted for stability and balance during fast play
  • 1,700 grams across the full 34 pieces, at the heavy end for a king this tall
  • Four options: lacquered boxwood, rosewood, ebony or bud rosewood
  • The knight is cut with a sharp defined face rather than a soft generic profile
  • Bishop, knight and rook all on one base width, so that stretch of the rank sits level
  • Cut for a mid to large square, the roomier end giving the wide bases room to breathe
  • 34 pieces supplied, two more than a game array actually uses

About the pieces

Four options share the shapes, the weighting and the square window, with one exception: the rosewood king stands a millimetre shorter than the other three. Three of them set a dark hardwood against natural boxwood; the fourth is not a timber contrast at all.

Rosewood is a mid to deep brown with strong grain and the most movement of colour from piece to piece. Ebony is close to black and gives the hardest separation between the armies. Bud rosewood, also called African padauk, is the warmest and most figured of the three.

The lacquered boxwood option is a different proposition. Both armies are boxwood, one lacquered black and one lacquered white, so no grain shows on either side.

What you get instead is flat, even colour and the hardest possible contrast, which is the look of a tournament hall rather than a study. It takes the timber question off the table entirely, and some players prefer that.

Everything else holds steady. These want squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the roomier end is the one we would choose; at the tighter setting the opening position looks noticeably packed. Anything under the window is too small for this army.

 Ebony Sleek Staunton knight cut with a sharp defined face

The proportions, and what the weighting does

A standard Staunton runs a fairly heavy shank into a base of modest diameter, and the eye reads the piece as a column. This one inverts the relationship: the shank is drawn in and the base is widened.

Whether that reads as elegant or as top heavy is a matter of taste. It is worth looking at the photographs before deciding, because it is the first thing anyone notices about the set.

Weight in a chess set is not vanity. A loaded base changes how a move is made: the piece is set down deliberately and stops dead where it lands rather than skating.

It matters more again when the clock is short. In fast play a hand comes across the board quickly and a light army scatters. A king with a broad foot and real mass low down takes a knock from a sleeve and stays upright.

The trade is real and worth stating plainly. A set this heavy is slower to put away, heavier to carry, and unforgiving of a thin folding surface, so it wants a table that will not flex under it. If the set is going to travel, a lighter army at the same height is the easier companion.

The drawn shank and the broad foot are a look rather than a neutral choice, and a player who wants a conventional Staunton silhouette will not be argued into liking this one.

Care is straightforward. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes turned hardwood check, and dust with a dry soft cloth. Do not use oil or furniture polish on any option: polish will haze the lacquered surface, and boxwood yellows unevenly when it is polished.

Our expert take

What makes this one worth owning is what the weighting and the proportions do together. It is a tall looking army that behaves like a heavy one, and it stays settled in blitz.

The knight has a proper cut face behind it rather than a softened production profile, which is where a Staunton set either justifies itself or does not.

The caveats are size and taste. This is a set that stays on a table, and on a tight square the opening position looks packed. Anyone who wants the classic column shaped Staunton profile, or a set light enough to carry, should start instead with our tournament chess pieces.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Bud rosewood Sleek Staunton pawns and rooks seen close up

Frequently asked questions
What square size do these need?

55mm to 60mm, and the roomier of the two is the better. At the tighter setting the opening position looks packed; at the roomier one there is clear timber round every foot. Under that, the board is too small for the army.

Does the timber choice change anything but the colour?

Almost nothing. The shapes, the triple weighting, the weight and the square window are the same on every option. The one variation worth noting is that the rosewood king stands a millimetre shorter than the others.

What does triple weighted mean in practice?

That the pieces carry a heavy load low in the base. It is what keeps a narrow shanked piece upright when a hand comes across the board quickly.

What is the lacquered option?

Boxwood on both sides, one army lacquered black and one lacquered white, so no grain shows and the contrast is flat and hard. It is the look of a tournament hall rather than a study.

How heavy is the set?

1,700 grams across the complete 34 pieces, which is at the heavy end for a king this tall. It is a set that stays on one table rather than one that travels.

How many pieces are supplied, and is a board included?

34 chess pieces, two more than a game array uses. No board is included, so it is chosen separately.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

102mm high (4.0 inch), 44mm base

Queen

81mm high (3.2 inch), 42mm base

Bishop

74mm high (2.9 inch), 38mm base

Knight

73mm high (2.9 inch), 38mm base

Rook

63mm high (2.5 inch), 38mm base

Pawn

58mm high (2.3 inch), 33mm base

Lacquered Boxwood option

Black lacquered boxwood dark pieces, white lacquered boxwood light pieces

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 101mm king

Ebony Wood option

Ebony dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood (African padauk) dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Weighting

Triple weighted

Recommended square size

55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch)

Total weight of pieces

1,700 grams (3.75 lbs)

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.

Description

Sleek Staunton 102mm Chess Pieces

The Sleek Staunton keeps the traditional Staunton outline and changes its proportions. The bases are wider and the shanks narrower than a standard club set, which draws every piece out and puts a broad foot underneath it at the same time.

The bishop, knight and rook all sit on one width of foot, so that stretch of the back rank stands evenly planted rather than tapering away.

The army is triple weighted and properly loaded. It was built with fast play in mind, where pieces get moved quickly and knocked often, and it behaves accordingly.

The king stands 102mm and the complete 34 pieces come to 1,700 grams, which is at the heavy end for a king that tall. Four options are offered on the same shapes.

It is listed with our staunton chess pieces.

 Sleek Staunton chessmen in black and white lacquered boxwood ready for play

Key features

  • A 102mm king with wider bases and narrower shanks than a standard Staunton
  • Triple weighted for stability and balance during fast play
  • 1,700 grams across the full 34 pieces, at the heavy end for a king this tall
  • Four options: lacquered boxwood, rosewood, ebony or bud rosewood
  • The knight is cut with a sharp defined face rather than a soft generic profile
  • Bishop, knight and rook all on one base width, so that stretch of the rank sits level
  • Cut for a mid to large square, the roomier end giving the wide bases room to breathe
  • 34 pieces supplied, two more than a game array actually uses

About the pieces

Four options share the shapes, the weighting and the square window, with one exception: the rosewood king stands a millimetre shorter than the other three. Three of them set a dark hardwood against natural boxwood; the fourth is not a timber contrast at all.

Rosewood is a mid to deep brown with strong grain and the most movement of colour from piece to piece. Ebony is close to black and gives the hardest separation between the armies. Bud rosewood, also called African padauk, is the warmest and most figured of the three.

The lacquered boxwood option is a different proposition. Both armies are boxwood, one lacquered black and one lacquered white, so no grain shows on either side.

What you get instead is flat, even colour and the hardest possible contrast, which is the look of a tournament hall rather than a study. It takes the timber question off the table entirely, and some players prefer that.

Everything else holds steady. These want squares of 55mm to 60mm, and the roomier end is the one we would choose; at the tighter setting the opening position looks noticeably packed. Anything under the window is too small for this army.

 Ebony Sleek Staunton knight cut with a sharp defined face

The proportions, and what the weighting does

A standard Staunton runs a fairly heavy shank into a base of modest diameter, and the eye reads the piece as a column. This one inverts the relationship: the shank is drawn in and the base is widened.

Whether that reads as elegant or as top heavy is a matter of taste. It is worth looking at the photographs before deciding, because it is the first thing anyone notices about the set.

Weight in a chess set is not vanity. A loaded base changes how a move is made: the piece is set down deliberately and stops dead where it lands rather than skating.

It matters more again when the clock is short. In fast play a hand comes across the board quickly and a light army scatters. A king with a broad foot and real mass low down takes a knock from a sleeve and stays upright.

The trade is real and worth stating plainly. A set this heavy is slower to put away, heavier to carry, and unforgiving of a thin folding surface, so it wants a table that will not flex under it. If the set is going to travel, a lighter army at the same height is the easier companion.

The drawn shank and the broad foot are a look rather than a neutral choice, and a player who wants a conventional Staunton silhouette will not be argued into liking this one.

Care is straightforward. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes turned hardwood check, and dust with a dry soft cloth. Do not use oil or furniture polish on any option: polish will haze the lacquered surface, and boxwood yellows unevenly when it is polished.

Our expert take

What makes this one worth owning is what the weighting and the proportions do together. It is a tall looking army that behaves like a heavy one, and it stays settled in blitz.

The knight has a proper cut face behind it rather than a softened production profile, which is where a Staunton set either justifies itself or does not.

The caveats are size and taste. This is a set that stays on a table, and on a tight square the opening position looks packed. Anyone who wants the classic column shaped Staunton profile, or a set light enough to carry, should start instead with our tournament chess pieces.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Bud rosewood Sleek Staunton pawns and rooks seen close up

Frequently asked questions
What square size do these need?

55mm to 60mm, and the roomier of the two is the better. At the tighter setting the opening position looks packed; at the roomier one there is clear timber round every foot. Under that, the board is too small for the army.

Does the timber choice change anything but the colour?

Almost nothing. The shapes, the triple weighting, the weight and the square window are the same on every option. The one variation worth noting is that the rosewood king stands a millimetre shorter than the others.

What does triple weighted mean in practice?

That the pieces carry a heavy load low in the base. It is what keeps a narrow shanked piece upright when a hand comes across the board quickly.

What is the lacquered option?

Boxwood on both sides, one army lacquered black and one lacquered white, so no grain shows and the contrast is flat and hard. It is the look of a tournament hall rather than a study.

How heavy is the set?

1,700 grams across the complete 34 pieces, which is at the heavy end for a king this tall. It is a set that stays on one table rather than one that travels.

How many pieces are supplied, and is a board included?

34 chess pieces, two more than a game array uses. No board is included, so it is chosen separately.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

102mm high (4.0 inch), 44mm base

Queen

81mm high (3.2 inch), 42mm base

Bishop

74mm high (2.9 inch), 38mm base

Knight

73mm high (2.9 inch), 38mm base

Rook

63mm high (2.5 inch), 38mm base

Pawn

58mm high (2.3 inch), 33mm base

Lacquered Boxwood option

Black lacquered boxwood dark pieces, white lacquered boxwood light pieces

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 101mm king

Ebony Wood option

Ebony dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Bud Rosewood option

Bud rosewood (African padauk) dark pieces, boxwood light pieces

Weighting

Triple weighted

Recommended square size

55mm to 60mm (2.16 inch to 2.36 inch)

Total weight of pieces

1,700 grams (3.75 lbs)

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber option you select
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
Chess board not included
Storage box not included

Warranty

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.

FREE Shipping

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.

100 Day FREE Returns

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.

Why Buy From Us?

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.