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Sterling Chess Smokey Staunton chess pieces in ebonised and natural boxwood, 97mm king

Smokey Staunton 97mm Chess Pieces

by Sterling Chess
$329.00

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Description

Smokey Staunton 97mm Chess Pieces

The bishop and the knight on this set are the same height to the millimetre. Both stand 71mm on 36mm bases, and the rook joins them on the same 36mm foot. Three of the four minor officers share one footprint and two share one height.

That gives the back rank a deliberate evenness. Only the king at 97mm and the queen at 79mm step outside the pattern, so the eye goes to the royal pair and the rest reads as a supporting block.

Four options are offered, and unusually one of them is painted rather than stained. It sits in the middle of our Staunton chess pieces.

 Smokey Staunton chess pieces in ebonised and natural boxwood, 97mm king

Key features

  • 97mm (3.81 inch) king on a 42mm base, sized for 50mm to 60mm squares
  • Bishop and knight level at 71mm on matched 36mm bases
  • Four options: ebonised, sheesham, painted boxwood or rosewood
  • 1,150g across the full set, around 34g a piece
  • 34 pieces including two spare queens for effortless pawn promotion
  • Thick green felt on every base for smooth movement and board protection
  • Hand polished for a lasting shine rather than a lacquered shell
  • Identical dimensions across all four options, so only the finish changes

How the Smokey Staunton compares to other Staunton chess pieces

Four finishes on one pattern is more choice than most sets in this bracket offer, and the painted option is the one that makes it interesting. Painting boxwood rather than staining it gives an opaque, even surface with no grain showing through, which reads quite differently across a board.

The trade for that evenness is that the levelled officer rank gives you fewer height cues. Where a stepped set lets you identify a bishop from a knight by silhouette alone, here you are reading the head, so it takes marginally longer to scan a crowded position.

Against the rest of the Staunton chess pieces this is a mid weight club set with a wide finish choice rather than a heavyweight. Sets with more mass are available if that is the priority.

 Sheesham and boxwood Smokey Staunton chess pieces with a 42mm base

What a levelled officer rank does

The Staunton convention steps the bishop above the knight so that the simpler turned shape sits higher and reads further. Levelling them removes that cue and replaces it with pure form: you identify the piece by the carved head or the mitre, not by how tall it stands.

In practice most players adjust within a game or two, and some prefer it. A rank where three officers share a footprint and two share a height looks ordered rather than graded, and on a board with the full complement in place it produces a solid, deliberate line either side of the royals.

Four finishes, and how the painted option differs

Ebonised, sheesham and rosewood all work the same way: the timber is the colour, whether natural or stained, and the grain stays visible under the polish. Contrast against the boxwood light side runs from moderate on the sheesham to high on the ebonised.

The painted option is different in kind. The surface is opaque and even, with no grain reading through at all, which gives a flatter and more modern look. It is also the option that will show a chip most clearly, since there is no matching timber underneath. Dimensions and weight are the same across all four.

 Painted boxwood Smokey Staunton chess pieces, 97mm king

Choosing a board for a 42mm base

The 42mm king base gives a usable range of 50mm to 60mm squares. At 50mm the back rank is nearly full and the set looks compact and busy; at 60mm there is generous space around each piece. Standard 55mm tournament sizing sits comfortably in the middle.

No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can pick the end of the range that suits you.

Our expert take

The four finish options are the practical reason to look at this set, and the painted version is worth considering if you want something that does not read as a conventional timber set. The levelled bishop and knight is a real design choice rather than an accident, and whether you like it is worth deciding before you buy. At roughly 34g a piece it is mid weight and unremarkable in the hand, which is fair at this price. The one thing to watch is the painted option: an opaque finish shows damage more obviously than stained timber, so it wants slightly more care.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Rosewood and boxwood Smokey Staunton chess pieces, weighted with felt bases

Frequently asked questions
What size board do these need?

Squares of 50mm to 60mm, from the 42mm king base. 55mm is the comfortable middle. At 50mm the back rank will look full, at 60mm the pieces have generous space.

Which finish should I choose?

Dimensions and weight are identical across all four. Ebonised gives the highest contrast against the boxwood. Sheesham is a warm mid brown with visible grain. Rosewood is deeper and denser looking. The painted option is opaque and even, with no grain showing through.

Are the bishop and knight really the same height?

Yes, both are 71mm on matched 36mm bases, and the rook shares that base diameter too. It is deliberate, and it gives the back rank an even, ordered look rather than a graded one.

Is a chess board or storage box included?

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.

How heavy is the set?

1,150g across 34 pieces, around 34g a piece. That is mid weight. Heavier sets of similar height are available across our chess pieces collection.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King height

97mm (3.81 inch)

King base diameter

42mm (1.65 inch)

Queen height

79mm (3.11 inch)

Queen base diameter

40mm (1.57 inch)

Bishop height

71mm (2.79 inch)

Knight height

71mm (2.79 inch)

Rook height

56mm (2.20 inch)

Officer base diameter

36mm (1.41 inch), bishop, knight and rook

Pawn height

49mm (1.92 inch)

Pawn base diameter

30mm (1.18 inch)

Dark pieces

Ebonised, sheesham, painted or rosewood boxwood, by option

Light pieces

Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia)

Weighting

Weighted, thick green felt bases

Piece count

34, including two spare queens

Total set weight

1,150g approximate

Recommended square size

50mm to 60mm

Origin

Hand carved in India

Board

Not included
What's In The Box?

32 chess pieces in the finish option you select
2 spare queens, one per colour
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

Smokey Staunton 97mm Chess Pieces

The bishop and the knight on this set are the same height to the millimetre. Both stand 71mm on 36mm bases, and the rook joins them on the same 36mm foot. Three of the four minor officers share one footprint and two share one height.

That gives the back rank a deliberate evenness. Only the king at 97mm and the queen at 79mm step outside the pattern, so the eye goes to the royal pair and the rest reads as a supporting block.

Four options are offered, and unusually one of them is painted rather than stained. It sits in the middle of our Staunton chess pieces.

 Smokey Staunton chess pieces in ebonised and natural boxwood, 97mm king

Key features

  • 97mm (3.81 inch) king on a 42mm base, sized for 50mm to 60mm squares
  • Bishop and knight level at 71mm on matched 36mm bases
  • Four options: ebonised, sheesham, painted boxwood or rosewood
  • 1,150g across the full set, around 34g a piece
  • 34 pieces including two spare queens for effortless pawn promotion
  • Thick green felt on every base for smooth movement and board protection
  • Hand polished for a lasting shine rather than a lacquered shell
  • Identical dimensions across all four options, so only the finish changes

How the Smokey Staunton compares to other Staunton chess pieces

Four finishes on one pattern is more choice than most sets in this bracket offer, and the painted option is the one that makes it interesting. Painting boxwood rather than staining it gives an opaque, even surface with no grain showing through, which reads quite differently across a board.

The trade for that evenness is that the levelled officer rank gives you fewer height cues. Where a stepped set lets you identify a bishop from a knight by silhouette alone, here you are reading the head, so it takes marginally longer to scan a crowded position.

Against the rest of the Staunton chess pieces this is a mid weight club set with a wide finish choice rather than a heavyweight. Sets with more mass are available if that is the priority.

 Sheesham and boxwood Smokey Staunton chess pieces with a 42mm base

What a levelled officer rank does

The Staunton convention steps the bishop above the knight so that the simpler turned shape sits higher and reads further. Levelling them removes that cue and replaces it with pure form: you identify the piece by the carved head or the mitre, not by how tall it stands.

In practice most players adjust within a game or two, and some prefer it. A rank where three officers share a footprint and two share a height looks ordered rather than graded, and on a board with the full complement in place it produces a solid, deliberate line either side of the royals.

Four finishes, and how the painted option differs

Ebonised, sheesham and rosewood all work the same way: the timber is the colour, whether natural or stained, and the grain stays visible under the polish. Contrast against the boxwood light side runs from moderate on the sheesham to high on the ebonised.

The painted option is different in kind. The surface is opaque and even, with no grain reading through at all, which gives a flatter and more modern look. It is also the option that will show a chip most clearly, since there is no matching timber underneath. Dimensions and weight are the same across all four.

 Painted boxwood Smokey Staunton chess pieces, 97mm king

Choosing a board for a 42mm base

The 42mm king base gives a usable range of 50mm to 60mm squares. At 50mm the back rank is nearly full and the set looks compact and busy; at 60mm there is generous space around each piece. Standard 55mm tournament sizing sits comfortably in the middle.

No board is included with these pieces. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size so you can pick the end of the range that suits you.

Our expert take

The four finish options are the practical reason to look at this set, and the painted version is worth considering if you want something that does not read as a conventional timber set. The levelled bishop and knight is a real design choice rather than an accident, and whether you like it is worth deciding before you buy. At roughly 34g a piece it is mid weight and unremarkable in the hand, which is fair at this price. The one thing to watch is the painted option: an opaque finish shows damage more obviously than stained timber, so it wants slightly more care.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Rosewood and boxwood Smokey Staunton chess pieces, weighted with felt bases

Frequently asked questions
What size board do these need?

Squares of 50mm to 60mm, from the 42mm king base. 55mm is the comfortable middle. At 50mm the back rank will look full, at 60mm the pieces have generous space.

Which finish should I choose?

Dimensions and weight are identical across all four. Ebonised gives the highest contrast against the boxwood. Sheesham is a warm mid brown with visible grain. Rosewood is deeper and denser looking. The painted option is opaque and even, with no grain showing through.

Are the bishop and knight really the same height?

Yes, both are 71mm on matched 36mm bases, and the rook shares that base diameter too. It is deliberate, and it gives the back rank an even, ordered look rather than a graded one.

Is a chess board or storage box included?

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.

How heavy is the set?

1,150g across 34 pieces, around 34g a piece. That is mid weight. Heavier sets of similar height are available across our chess pieces collection.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King height

97mm (3.81 inch)

King base diameter

42mm (1.65 inch)

Queen height

79mm (3.11 inch)

Queen base diameter

40mm (1.57 inch)

Bishop height

71mm (2.79 inch)

Knight height

71mm (2.79 inch)

Rook height

56mm (2.20 inch)

Officer base diameter

36mm (1.41 inch), bishop, knight and rook

Pawn height

49mm (1.92 inch)

Pawn base diameter

30mm (1.18 inch)

Dark pieces

Ebonised, sheesham, painted or rosewood boxwood, by option

Light pieces

Natural boxwood (Gardenia latifolia)

Weighting

Weighted, thick green felt bases

Piece count

34, including two spare queens

Total set weight

1,150g approximate

Recommended square size

50mm to 60mm

Origin

Hand carved in India

Board

Not included
What's In The Box?

32 chess pieces in the finish option you select
2 spare queens, one per colour
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.