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✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
Want a set with real Catalan style? These 1929 Barcelona Joc Catalan chess pieces reproduce a tall, elegant design from Barcelona with an Art Nouveau feel, with pieces that look almost like little towers.
The pieces are weighted, with thick green felt on every base. Even with a 110mm king, the slim shapes fit a board with 55mm squares. Each set is handmade in India.
Choose genuine ebony or bud rosewood for the dark side, both with boxwood. Two spare queens are included, but no board or box. See more historical sets in our reproduction chess pieces collection.
The Joc Catalan, or Catalan set, is linked to the Barcelona international tournament of 1929, which José Raúl Capablanca won. It's a product of Barcelona's Art Nouveau movement.
The design is often credited to the architect Antoni Gaudí, but that's disputed, and there's no firm proof either way. Very few original sets are known to survive.
What stands out is how tall and close in height the pieces are. The bishop stands 92mm and the queen 100mm, so the back rank looks dense and almost architectural on the board.
Because the pieces are close in height, you'll recognise them mainly by their tops, which takes a game or two to get used to. The knights are carved by hand, so each one has its own character, while the turned pieces match closely across the set.
Both options share the same design and size. The difference is the timber of the dark pieces.
Genuine ebony is a dense, naturally black timber. Because the colour runs right through the wood, it won't wear to a lighter shade over time. Bud rosewood is a rich reddish timber with swirling grain, for a warmer look.
The pieces are weighted, at about 1,250g for the ebony set and 1,200g for bud rosewood. Thick green felt on each base keeps moves smooth and quiet.
If you like sets linked to Capablanca, compare it with our 1935 Warsaw Capablanca ebony pieces.
"This is one of the most striking sets in our reproduction range, with tall shapes that look like a little city on the board. The pieces are close in height, so it takes a few games to read them at a glance. For a collector who wants something truly different, it's a beautiful choice."
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
A board with 55mm squares is the best match, thanks to the slim bases. Our Player's Choice 53cm board and Deluxe Sheesham & Maple 53cm board both have 55mm squares, or browse our full chess boards collection.
They're handmade in India, so each piece can show small natural differences in grain.
No. You get the 34 pieces only. The board and box are sold separately.
Yes, they're weighted with thick green felt bases. The ebony set weighs about 1,250g and the bud rosewood set about 1,200g.
It's often credited to him, but that's disputed and there's no firm proof.
José Raúl Capablanca, who was a former world champion by then.
Genuine ebony is naturally black, while bud rosewood is a rich reddish timber. The design is the same.
Yes, one in each colour, so you get 34 pieces.
Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat and water, as the pieces aren't waterproof.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
110mm (4.3 inch) |
King base diameter |
44mm (1.7 inch) |
Queen height |
100mm (3.9 inch) |
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
Bishop height |
92mm (3.6 inch) |
Knight height |
81mm (3.18 inch) |
Rook height |
73mm (2.87 inch) |
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.49 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
Pawn height |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.29 inch) |
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony or bud rosewood, by option |
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt bases |
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
Total set weight |
1,250g approx. in ebony, 1,200g approx. in bud rosewood |
Recommended square size |
55mm |
Origin |
Handmade in India |
32 chess pieces in genuine ebony or bud rosewood and boxwood
2 spare queens, one per 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.
Want a set with real Catalan style? These 1929 Barcelona Joc Catalan chess pieces reproduce a tall, elegant design from Barcelona with an Art Nouveau feel, with pieces that look almost like little towers.
The pieces are weighted, with thick green felt on every base. Even with a 110mm king, the slim shapes fit a board with 55mm squares. Each set is handmade in India.
Choose genuine ebony or bud rosewood for the dark side, both with boxwood. Two spare queens are included, but no board or box. See more historical sets in our reproduction chess pieces collection.
The Joc Catalan, or Catalan set, is linked to the Barcelona international tournament of 1929, which José Raúl Capablanca won. It's a product of Barcelona's Art Nouveau movement.
The design is often credited to the architect Antoni Gaudí, but that's disputed, and there's no firm proof either way. Very few original sets are known to survive.
What stands out is how tall and close in height the pieces are. The bishop stands 92mm and the queen 100mm, so the back rank looks dense and almost architectural on the board.
Because the pieces are close in height, you'll recognise them mainly by their tops, which takes a game or two to get used to. The knights are carved by hand, so each one has its own character, while the turned pieces match closely across the set.
Both options share the same design and size. The difference is the timber of the dark pieces.
Genuine ebony is a dense, naturally black timber. Because the colour runs right through the wood, it won't wear to a lighter shade over time. Bud rosewood is a rich reddish timber with swirling grain, for a warmer look.
The pieces are weighted, at about 1,250g for the ebony set and 1,200g for bud rosewood. Thick green felt on each base keeps moves smooth and quiet.
If you like sets linked to Capablanca, compare it with our 1935 Warsaw Capablanca ebony pieces.
"This is one of the most striking sets in our reproduction range, with tall shapes that look like a little city on the board. The pieces are close in height, so it takes a few games to read them at a glance. For a collector who wants something truly different, it's a beautiful choice."
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
A board with 55mm squares is the best match, thanks to the slim bases. Our Player's Choice 53cm board and Deluxe Sheesham & Maple 53cm board both have 55mm squares, or browse our full chess boards collection.
They're handmade in India, so each piece can show small natural differences in grain.
No. You get the 34 pieces only. The board and box are sold separately.
Yes, they're weighted with thick green felt bases. The ebony set weighs about 1,250g and the bud rosewood set about 1,200g.
It's often credited to him, but that's disputed and there's no firm proof.
José Raúl Capablanca, who was a former world champion by then.
Genuine ebony is naturally black, while bud rosewood is a rich reddish timber. The design is the same.
Yes, one in each colour, so you get 34 pieces.
Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat and water, as the pieces aren't waterproof.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
110mm (4.3 inch) |
King base diameter |
44mm (1.7 inch) |
Queen height |
100mm (3.9 inch) |
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
Bishop height |
92mm (3.6 inch) |
Knight height |
81mm (3.18 inch) |
Rook height |
73mm (2.87 inch) |
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.49 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
Pawn height |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.29 inch) |
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony or bud rosewood, by option |
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt bases |
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
Total set weight |
1,250g approx. in ebony, 1,200g approx. in bud rosewood |
Recommended square size |
55mm |
Origin |
Handmade in India |
32 chess pieces in genuine ebony or bud rosewood and boxwood
2 spare queens, one per 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.
