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Made in Spain, and built to a completely different brief from the thick timber boards it sits beside. This one is 54.3cm across with 60mm squares, which gives a playing grid 48cm wide inside a border of roughly 3.1cm on every side. Sixty millimetre squares are large set territory, so this is a surface for a full sized weighted or luxury pattern.
It is crafted from walnut on the dark squares and maple (Acer oblongum) on the light, both in veneer, and finished matte rather than shiny. Walnut is the gentler of the classic dark cabinet timbers: a mid to deep brown with soft, flowing figure that never goes near black, so against maple the chequer reads warm and even rather than stark. The matte surface keeps it that way by scattering light instead of reflecting it.
The figures that follow from that construction are the interesting part. At 13mm in section and 2,750g this is a board you can pick up in one hand, carry to a club and stand on a shelf, which is not true of a large timber board built any other way. Other sizes and other finishes run across our chess boards collection.
The other Spanish boards on the site sit either side of this one on size, and neither lands in quite the same place. The 60cm Spanish board on 60mm squares carries the same 60mm squares but on a 60cm footprint, so it needs a bigger table and a wider border sits around the play. The 55cm Spanish board on 55mm squares is closer in footprint but drops to 55mm squares, which changes the set it wants. This board takes the large square size onto a footprint under 55cm by keeping the border narrow, which is the useful trick if your table cannot take a 60cm board but your chessmen are cut for 60mm squares.
Against the thick timber boards at this square size the difference is mass, not square count. The 55.3cm ebony and maple board inside a sheesham frame is 55.3cm on 60mm squares at 30mm through and more than five kilograms, which is a board you place once and leave. This one is 13mm and 2,750g, roughly half the weight, and it goes back on a shelf at the end of the evening. Neither approach is better in the abstract; they answer different questions about where the board lives.
Compared with a board that arrives underneath a set of chessmen, the case is the same as always. A bundled board is cut to a package and to a price, and it is usually the first part of that purchase to be replaced. A board chosen on its own is picked for its square size, its timbers and its finish, and it stays in service while the set standing on it changes.
The measurement that decides the fit is the diameter of the king's base, not the height of the king. Height is what you notice from across a room; base width is what has to share a square with its neighbours. This board is cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm, which is a large window and a demanding one.
The proportion behind it is straightforward. A base covering about three quarters of its square leaves a clean margin of timber all round, and three quarters of 60mm is 45mm, which is exactly where the range starts. At 52mm you are at the top of what a 60mm square carries gracefully, with the back rank filled and only a few millimetres showing between neighbouring feet. Below 45mm a full army starts to look marooned on 48cm of playing grid.
In practice that points at the taller luxury patterns rather than a standard club set. The Ferocious Elite Series at 113mm stands on a 48mm base and is drawn for 60mm squares, sitting comfortably inside the window with clear timber around every foot. A common 95mm tournament set will usually foot at 40mm or less and will look undersized here, so check the base figure on the set before pairing rather than going by the king height.
Veneer is a thin leaf of the named timber laid over a stable base beneath, and on a board of this size it buys two things a single wide panel cannot. The first is weight. Getting 60mm squares and a 54.3cm footprint down to 2,750g and 13mm is what makes this board portable at all, and portability is the whole reason a large board ends up being used rather than admired.
The second is stability. A wide panel of timber moves as the seasons change, taking up moisture in a humid summer and giving it back in a dry heated winter, and that movement is what eventually shows as a cupped or twisted surface. A veneered board is built the other way round, with the movement of the base restrained and the surface leaf too thin to fight it, which is why the construction is used across the Spanish board trade rather than treated as a compromise.
The trade is honest enough to name. A 13mm board has a slimmer edge and less presence on a table than a deep timber one, and it has less mass to hold it in place, so it prefers a table that is not being knocked. What you get back is a large square board that lives on a shelf, travels in a bag and stays flat through an Australian summer.
The surface is finished matte, described plainly as non shiny, and that is a decision with consequences rather than a default. A matte surface scatters light instead of bouncing it, so a lamp or a window sitting above the table does not put a bright patch across the middle of the play. It also hides fingerprints, dust and the smear left by a hand resting on the edge, all of which a gloss board shows readily.
What it gives up is depth of colour. Gloss makes a dark timber look wet and lifts the figure inside it; matte keeps everything calmer and flatter, which on walnut is arguably the point, since walnut is a quiet timber to begin with and a high shine works against its character. The result is a board that reads evenly from any seat rather than one that changes as you move around the table.
Care is simple and the same as for any fine timber surface. Wipe it with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, keep drinks off the playing area entirely, and keep the board out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and vents. Store it flat or standing on edge in a rack rather than leaning at an angle. As with any handmade item the finished weight can vary by up to 10 percent either way.
The reason to look at this one is that it gets 60mm squares onto a board you can actually pick up, since 13mm and 2,750g over a narrow border means a large playing grid on a footprint under 55cm, and the veneered construction is the thing that makes those numbers possible while staying flat through a change of season. The caveat is the other side of that: a 13mm board has far less edge and far less mass than a deep timber one, so it looks slimmer on a table and it will shift if the table is knocked. Sixty millimetre squares also set a floor, and a standard 95mm club set footing at 40mm will look small on it. It suits a player with a tall luxury set and nowhere permanent to leave a board, and anyone who wants the deep, planted feel of a heavy surface should be looking at a board built two or three times as thick instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own. It is cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm, which is where the taller luxury patterns sit rather than standard club sets.
A thin leaf of the named timber, walnut on the dark squares and maple on the light, laid over a stable base. It is what keeps the board light and flat at this size, and it is the standard construction for Spanish made boards.
Spain. It comes from the Spanish veneered tradition rather than being cut as a thick timber panel, and its figures follow from that: 13mm through and 2,750g against the 20mm and more that the heavy boards run.
A king base between 45mm and 52mm. Measure the widest part of the base rather than going by the height of the set, because two sets of identical height can differ by ten millimetres at the foot.
At 54.3cm square it needs a table around 1.1 metres across to leave both players elbow room and space beside the board for captured material and a clock. It takes the same large squares as a 60cm board while asking for less table.
Wipe it with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and vents, and never stand a glass on the playing surface. Store it flat or upright in a rack rather than leaning against a wall.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
54.3cm x 54.3cm (21.3 inch) |
|
Square size |
60mm (2.36 inch) |
|
Playing grid |
48cm across eight squares |
|
Board thickness |
13mm (0.5 inch) |
|
Board weight |
2,750g |
|
Weight tolerance |
Handmade, up to 10 percent either way |
|
Dark squares |
Walnut |
|
Light squares |
Maple (Acer oblongum) |
|
Construction |
Walnut and maple veneer |
|
Board finish |
Matte, non shiny |
|
Origin |
Made in Spain |
|
Recommended king base |
45mm to 52mm (1.8 inch to 2.0 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
One 54.3cm walnut and maple chess board with 60mm squares
Playing pieces are sold separately and are not part of this listing
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.
Made in Spain, and built to a completely different brief from the thick timber boards it sits beside. This one is 54.3cm across with 60mm squares, which gives a playing grid 48cm wide inside a border of roughly 3.1cm on every side. Sixty millimetre squares are large set territory, so this is a surface for a full sized weighted or luxury pattern.
It is crafted from walnut on the dark squares and maple (Acer oblongum) on the light, both in veneer, and finished matte rather than shiny. Walnut is the gentler of the classic dark cabinet timbers: a mid to deep brown with soft, flowing figure that never goes near black, so against maple the chequer reads warm and even rather than stark. The matte surface keeps it that way by scattering light instead of reflecting it.
The figures that follow from that construction are the interesting part. At 13mm in section and 2,750g this is a board you can pick up in one hand, carry to a club and stand on a shelf, which is not true of a large timber board built any other way. Other sizes and other finishes run across our chess boards collection.
The other Spanish boards on the site sit either side of this one on size, and neither lands in quite the same place. The 60cm Spanish board on 60mm squares carries the same 60mm squares but on a 60cm footprint, so it needs a bigger table and a wider border sits around the play. The 55cm Spanish board on 55mm squares is closer in footprint but drops to 55mm squares, which changes the set it wants. This board takes the large square size onto a footprint under 55cm by keeping the border narrow, which is the useful trick if your table cannot take a 60cm board but your chessmen are cut for 60mm squares.
Against the thick timber boards at this square size the difference is mass, not square count. The 55.3cm ebony and maple board inside a sheesham frame is 55.3cm on 60mm squares at 30mm through and more than five kilograms, which is a board you place once and leave. This one is 13mm and 2,750g, roughly half the weight, and it goes back on a shelf at the end of the evening. Neither approach is better in the abstract; they answer different questions about where the board lives.
Compared with a board that arrives underneath a set of chessmen, the case is the same as always. A bundled board is cut to a package and to a price, and it is usually the first part of that purchase to be replaced. A board chosen on its own is picked for its square size, its timbers and its finish, and it stays in service while the set standing on it changes.
The measurement that decides the fit is the diameter of the king's base, not the height of the king. Height is what you notice from across a room; base width is what has to share a square with its neighbours. This board is cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm, which is a large window and a demanding one.
The proportion behind it is straightforward. A base covering about three quarters of its square leaves a clean margin of timber all round, and three quarters of 60mm is 45mm, which is exactly where the range starts. At 52mm you are at the top of what a 60mm square carries gracefully, with the back rank filled and only a few millimetres showing between neighbouring feet. Below 45mm a full army starts to look marooned on 48cm of playing grid.
In practice that points at the taller luxury patterns rather than a standard club set. The Ferocious Elite Series at 113mm stands on a 48mm base and is drawn for 60mm squares, sitting comfortably inside the window with clear timber around every foot. A common 95mm tournament set will usually foot at 40mm or less and will look undersized here, so check the base figure on the set before pairing rather than going by the king height.
Veneer is a thin leaf of the named timber laid over a stable base beneath, and on a board of this size it buys two things a single wide panel cannot. The first is weight. Getting 60mm squares and a 54.3cm footprint down to 2,750g and 13mm is what makes this board portable at all, and portability is the whole reason a large board ends up being used rather than admired.
The second is stability. A wide panel of timber moves as the seasons change, taking up moisture in a humid summer and giving it back in a dry heated winter, and that movement is what eventually shows as a cupped or twisted surface. A veneered board is built the other way round, with the movement of the base restrained and the surface leaf too thin to fight it, which is why the construction is used across the Spanish board trade rather than treated as a compromise.
The trade is honest enough to name. A 13mm board has a slimmer edge and less presence on a table than a deep timber one, and it has less mass to hold it in place, so it prefers a table that is not being knocked. What you get back is a large square board that lives on a shelf, travels in a bag and stays flat through an Australian summer.
The surface is finished matte, described plainly as non shiny, and that is a decision with consequences rather than a default. A matte surface scatters light instead of bouncing it, so a lamp or a window sitting above the table does not put a bright patch across the middle of the play. It also hides fingerprints, dust and the smear left by a hand resting on the edge, all of which a gloss board shows readily.
What it gives up is depth of colour. Gloss makes a dark timber look wet and lifts the figure inside it; matte keeps everything calmer and flatter, which on walnut is arguably the point, since walnut is a quiet timber to begin with and a high shine works against its character. The result is a board that reads evenly from any seat rather than one that changes as you move around the table.
Care is simple and the same as for any fine timber surface. Wipe it with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, keep drinks off the playing area entirely, and keep the board out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and vents. Store it flat or standing on edge in a rack rather than leaning at an angle. As with any handmade item the finished weight can vary by up to 10 percent either way.
The reason to look at this one is that it gets 60mm squares onto a board you can actually pick up, since 13mm and 2,750g over a narrow border means a large playing grid on a footprint under 55cm, and the veneered construction is the thing that makes those numbers possible while staying flat through a change of season. The caveat is the other side of that: a 13mm board has far less edge and far less mass than a deep timber one, so it looks slimmer on a table and it will shift if the table is knocked. Sixty millimetre squares also set a floor, and a standard 95mm club set footing at 40mm will look small on it. It suits a player with a tall luxury set and nowhere permanent to leave a board, and anyone who wants the deep, planted feel of a heavy surface should be looking at a board built two or three times as thick instead.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
No. This listing is the board on its own. It is cut for a king base of 45mm to 52mm, which is where the taller luxury patterns sit rather than standard club sets.
A thin leaf of the named timber, walnut on the dark squares and maple on the light, laid over a stable base. It is what keeps the board light and flat at this size, and it is the standard construction for Spanish made boards.
Spain. It comes from the Spanish veneered tradition rather than being cut as a thick timber panel, and its figures follow from that: 13mm through and 2,750g against the 20mm and more that the heavy boards run.
A king base between 45mm and 52mm. Measure the widest part of the base rather than going by the height of the set, because two sets of identical height can differ by ten millimetres at the foot.
At 54.3cm square it needs a table around 1.1 metres across to leave both players elbow room and space beside the board for captured material and a clock. It takes the same large squares as a 60cm board while asking for less table.
Wipe it with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and vents, and never stand a glass on the playing surface. Store it flat or upright in a rack rather than leaning against a wall.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Board size |
54.3cm x 54.3cm (21.3 inch) |
|
Square size |
60mm (2.36 inch) |
|
Playing grid |
48cm across eight squares |
|
Board thickness |
13mm (0.5 inch) |
|
Board weight |
2,750g |
|
Weight tolerance |
Handmade, up to 10 percent either way |
|
Dark squares |
Walnut |
|
Light squares |
Maple (Acer oblongum) |
|
Construction |
Walnut and maple veneer |
|
Board finish |
Matte, non shiny |
|
Origin |
Made in Spain |
|
Recommended king base |
45mm to 52mm (1.8 inch to 2.0 inch) |
|
Chess pieces |
Not included |
One 54.3cm walnut and maple chess board with 60mm squares
Playing pieces are sold separately and are not part of this listing
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.
