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Want a chess set that looks like a piece of modern art? These 1966 Lanier Graham chess pieces strip each piece down to a simple geometric block. Rank is shown mainly by height and by the shape of the top.
Every piece stands on the same 20mm base, from the pawn to the 71mm king. The set is unweighted and has no felt, so it's best for display and relaxed games. Each set is handmade in India.
Choose sheesham or ebonised boxwood for the dark side, both with natural boxwood. You get 32 pieces, with no spare queens and no board or box. See more historical sets in our reproduction chess pieces collection.
Lanier Graham designed this set in 1966, at a time when designers were stripping everyday objects back to their simplest form. The idea is that a chess piece only needs to show what it is, and anything more is decoration.
So the pawn is a small block, the bishop, knight and rook are taller blocks of the same height with different tops, and the queen and king rise higher again. The king is the tallest piece at 71mm.
Because every piece shares the same small base, the set looks neat and orderly, both on the board and lined up on a shelf.
It's a set that works well on a desk or coffee table, and it's a real talking point when friends visit. Each piece is shaped by hand and then polished, so you'll see small differences in grain from piece to piece. Because the bishop, knight and rook are the same height, you tell them apart by their tops.
Both options share the same design and size. The difference is the colour of the dark pieces.
Sheesham is a warm, reddish-brown hardwood from India with visible grain, which gives the set a softer, natural look. Ebonised boxwood is stained black for a sharp, high contrast against the pale boxwood.
The set is light, at about 310g in total. There's no weight or felt in the bases, which matches the original design, so the pieces can slide if the table is bumped. If you play on a polished board, you may want a cloth or mat underneath.
If you like minimalist design, compare it with our 1924 Bauhaus Geometrical pieces, another set where the shapes do all the talking.
"This is a beautiful design piece that looks great on a shelf or a coffee table. It's light and unweighted, with no spare queens, so it's not the set for a serious club game. For a lover of modern design, it's a real conversation starter."
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
The 20mm bases fit almost any board, so it comes down to the look you want. A smaller board keeps the set compact. Browse our full chess boards collection.
They're handmade in India, then polished by hand.
No. You get the 32 pieces only. The board and box are sold separately.
No. They're unweighted and have no felt, just like the original design. The full set weighs about 310g.
No. You get 32 pieces, with no spare queens.
By height and by the shape of the top. The pawn is the smallest, and the king is the tallest at 71mm.
They have no felt, so on a polished board it's a good idea to use a cloth or mat underneath.
It's best for display and relaxed games. For regular club play, a weighted set with felted bases is a better choice.
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 |
71mm (2.79 inch) |
Queen height |
61mm (2.40 inch) |
Bishop height |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
Knight height |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
Rook height |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
Pawn height |
20mm (0.78 inch) |
Base diameter |
20mm (0.78 inch), every piece |
Dark pieces |
Sheesham or ebonised boxwood, by option |
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
Weighting |
Unweighted, no felt |
Piece count |
32, no spare queens |
Total set weight |
310g approx. |
Origin |
Handmade in India |
32 chess pieces in sheesham or ebonised boxwood and natural boxwood
No spare queens
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 chess set that looks like a piece of modern art? These 1966 Lanier Graham chess pieces strip each piece down to a simple geometric block. Rank is shown mainly by height and by the shape of the top.
Every piece stands on the same 20mm base, from the pawn to the 71mm king. The set is unweighted and has no felt, so it's best for display and relaxed games. Each set is handmade in India.
Choose sheesham or ebonised boxwood for the dark side, both with natural boxwood. You get 32 pieces, with no spare queens and no board or box. See more historical sets in our reproduction chess pieces collection.
Lanier Graham designed this set in 1966, at a time when designers were stripping everyday objects back to their simplest form. The idea is that a chess piece only needs to show what it is, and anything more is decoration.
So the pawn is a small block, the bishop, knight and rook are taller blocks of the same height with different tops, and the queen and king rise higher again. The king is the tallest piece at 71mm.
Because every piece shares the same small base, the set looks neat and orderly, both on the board and lined up on a shelf.
It's a set that works well on a desk or coffee table, and it's a real talking point when friends visit. Each piece is shaped by hand and then polished, so you'll see small differences in grain from piece to piece. Because the bishop, knight and rook are the same height, you tell them apart by their tops.
Both options share the same design and size. The difference is the colour of the dark pieces.
Sheesham is a warm, reddish-brown hardwood from India with visible grain, which gives the set a softer, natural look. Ebonised boxwood is stained black for a sharp, high contrast against the pale boxwood.
The set is light, at about 310g in total. There's no weight or felt in the bases, which matches the original design, so the pieces can slide if the table is bumped. If you play on a polished board, you may want a cloth or mat underneath.
If you like minimalist design, compare it with our 1924 Bauhaus Geometrical pieces, another set where the shapes do all the talking.
"This is a beautiful design piece that looks great on a shelf or a coffee table. It's light and unweighted, with no spare queens, so it's not the set for a serious club game. For a lover of modern design, it's a real conversation starter."
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
The 20mm bases fit almost any board, so it comes down to the look you want. A smaller board keeps the set compact. Browse our full chess boards collection.
They're handmade in India, then polished by hand.
No. You get the 32 pieces only. The board and box are sold separately.
No. They're unweighted and have no felt, just like the original design. The full set weighs about 310g.
No. You get 32 pieces, with no spare queens.
By height and by the shape of the top. The pawn is the smallest, and the king is the tallest at 71mm.
They have no felt, so on a polished board it's a good idea to use a cloth or mat underneath.
It's best for display and relaxed games. For regular club play, a weighted set with felted bases is a better choice.
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 |
71mm (2.79 inch) |
Queen height |
61mm (2.40 inch) |
Bishop height |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
Knight height |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
Rook height |
40mm (1.57 inch) |
Pawn height |
20mm (0.78 inch) |
Base diameter |
20mm (0.78 inch), every piece |
Dark pieces |
Sheesham or ebonised boxwood, by option |
Light pieces |
Natural boxwood |
Weighting |
Unweighted, no felt |
Piece count |
32, no spare queens |
Total set weight |
310g approx. |
Origin |
Handmade in India |
32 chess pieces in sheesham or ebonised boxwood and natural boxwood
No spare queens
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.
