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Rosewood chessmen with a 96mm king

Tournament 96mm Chess Pieces

by Sterling Chess
$259.00

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Description

Tournament 96mm Chess Pieces

These are working chessmen. They are made to be used hard and often, not to sit on a shelf looking pretty.

The whole design is about surviving that. There are no delicate finials, no thin collars, and the bases are generous, so nothing on the set is waiting to snap the first time it goes into a bag with everything else.

The timbers are hardwoods chosen for durability first, which is the right priority for a set that is going to be handled several times a week.

If you play every week and want a set built to survive being used, this is the workhorse. It is built for the job and it does not pretend otherwise.

It belongs in our tournament chess pieces, and it earns the name.

 The rosewood tournament king standing beside the queen

Key features

  • Built from hardwoods chosen for frequent and rigorous play
  • A 96mm king, at the practical end of full playing size
  • King and queen on matching bases, which keeps the centre of the back rank looking tidy
  • No fragile finials or thin collars, so there is nothing on it waiting to snap in a bag
  • Three timbers on one pattern: rosewood, sheesham, or ebonised boxwood against boxwood
  • The same weight in every timber, so the choice comes down purely to how it looks
  • Cut for 50mm squares, the one figure all three timbers share
  • 34 pieces, including a spare queen for each side when a pawn promotes

About the pieces

If you play a lot, this is the sensible buy, and there is no shame in that being the reason.

Everything about the pattern is built for handling. The bases are generous, the bodies are solid, and there is nothing thin enough to break when a set gets knocked around in ordinary use.

Bishop and knight stand very close in height, so you tell those two apart by shape. That is normal for a tournament pattern, which prioritises durability over a dramatic height ladder, and it takes no time to get used to.

The hardwood construction is the thing you are really paying for, and the set is honest about what it is.

These pieces suit standard boards with 50mm squares, the one figure all three timbers are cut for. Each option has its own published window, so if your board is at 55mm the rosewood is the one drawn for it, and at 45mm the sheesham or the ebonised boxwood.

 Rosewood pieces from the tournament pattern in rank order

Choosing between the three timbers

The shapes, the proportions and the weight are the same on all three. Only the dark timber changes, and every option is set against a boxwood light army.

Rosewood is the richest of the three, a deep red brown with figure running through it. It is the option that looks least like a workhorse, if that matters to you.

Sheesham is the warm mid brown, quieter and more everyday. It is the least showy of the three.

Ebonised boxwood is the near black, and it gives the crispest contrast for a busy position. That is worth having if you play long games in poor light.

There is one thing to get right. The three timbers are published with three different windows and they overlap only at 50mm, so if your board is at 55mm the rosewood is the option drawn for it, and at 45mm the sheesham or the ebonised boxwood.

Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, dust it with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners alone.

Our expert take

Choose this one if the set is going to get used. It is honest, durable and correctly proportioned. What fails first on a set not built for it is always the same: thin finials snap, sharp base edges chip and light pieces skate, and this one is drawn against all three.

The matched king and queen bases are a small detail worth noticing. They keep the centre of the rank clean, and on a pattern this plain the small decisions are what separate a good tournament set from a cheap one.

It is built to be played with, and for that job it is hard to beat. If you want a set to admire, look through our luxury chess pieces.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 The sheesham tournament army lined up

Frequently asked questions
What square size suits these pieces?

50mm squares. The three timbers are published with three different windows and they overlap only at that figure, so 50mm is the size to match.

What is the difference between the three options?

Only the dark timber and the board size that suits it best. Rosewood is a deep red brown, sheesham a warm mid brown, ebonised boxwood a near black. The pattern and the weight are identical.

Is sheesham the same as golden rosewood?

They are the same timber, and it is sold under both names. On this listing it appears as sheesham, a warm mid brown; the separate rosewood option is a different, deeper and redder timber again.

Why are the bishop and knight so close in height?

It is normal for a tournament pattern, which favours durability and a level rank over a dramatic height ladder. You tell them apart by the mitre and the horse's head instead.

What makes this a tournament set?

Hardwood construction, a robust outline with nothing fragile on it, generous bases, and a full playing size king. It is built to be used, which is the whole brief.

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

34 pieces, which is two more than a game uses, so there is a spare queen for each side when a pawn promotes. No board is included, so that is chosen separately.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

96mm high (3.8 inch), 36mm base

Queen

81mm high (3.2 inch), 36mm base

Bishop

70mm high (2.8 inch), 33mm base

Knight

68mm high (2.7 inch), 33mm base

Rook

52mm high (2.0 inch), 33mm base

Pawn

47mm high (1.9 inch), 27mm base

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 1,000 grams, cut for 50mm to 55mm squares

Sheesham option

Sheesham dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 1,000 grams, cut for 45mm to 50mm squares

Ebonised Boxwood option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 1,000 grams, cut for 45mm to 55mm squares

Recommended square size

50mm (1.97 inch), the size all three options are cut for

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber chosen
Includes two extra queens for promotion
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

Tournament 96mm Chess Pieces

These are working chessmen. They are made to be used hard and often, not to sit on a shelf looking pretty.

The whole design is about surviving that. There are no delicate finials, no thin collars, and the bases are generous, so nothing on the set is waiting to snap the first time it goes into a bag with everything else.

The timbers are hardwoods chosen for durability first, which is the right priority for a set that is going to be handled several times a week.

If you play every week and want a set built to survive being used, this is the workhorse. It is built for the job and it does not pretend otherwise.

It belongs in our tournament chess pieces, and it earns the name.

 The rosewood tournament king standing beside the queen

Key features

  • Built from hardwoods chosen for frequent and rigorous play
  • A 96mm king, at the practical end of full playing size
  • King and queen on matching bases, which keeps the centre of the back rank looking tidy
  • No fragile finials or thin collars, so there is nothing on it waiting to snap in a bag
  • Three timbers on one pattern: rosewood, sheesham, or ebonised boxwood against boxwood
  • The same weight in every timber, so the choice comes down purely to how it looks
  • Cut for 50mm squares, the one figure all three timbers share
  • 34 pieces, including a spare queen for each side when a pawn promotes

About the pieces

If you play a lot, this is the sensible buy, and there is no shame in that being the reason.

Everything about the pattern is built for handling. The bases are generous, the bodies are solid, and there is nothing thin enough to break when a set gets knocked around in ordinary use.

Bishop and knight stand very close in height, so you tell those two apart by shape. That is normal for a tournament pattern, which prioritises durability over a dramatic height ladder, and it takes no time to get used to.

The hardwood construction is the thing you are really paying for, and the set is honest about what it is.

These pieces suit standard boards with 50mm squares, the one figure all three timbers are cut for. Each option has its own published window, so if your board is at 55mm the rosewood is the one drawn for it, and at 45mm the sheesham or the ebonised boxwood.

 Rosewood pieces from the tournament pattern in rank order

Choosing between the three timbers

The shapes, the proportions and the weight are the same on all three. Only the dark timber changes, and every option is set against a boxwood light army.

Rosewood is the richest of the three, a deep red brown with figure running through it. It is the option that looks least like a workhorse, if that matters to you.

Sheesham is the warm mid brown, quieter and more everyday. It is the least showy of the three.

Ebonised boxwood is the near black, and it gives the crispest contrast for a busy position. That is worth having if you play long games in poor light.

There is one thing to get right. The three timbers are published with three different windows and they overlap only at 50mm, so if your board is at 55mm the rosewood is the option drawn for it, and at 45mm the sheesham or the ebonised boxwood.

Care is simple. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, dust it with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners alone.

Our expert take

Choose this one if the set is going to get used. It is honest, durable and correctly proportioned. What fails first on a set not built for it is always the same: thin finials snap, sharp base edges chip and light pieces skate, and this one is drawn against all three.

The matched king and queen bases are a small detail worth noticing. They keep the centre of the rank clean, and on a pattern this plain the small decisions are what separate a good tournament set from a cheap one.

It is built to be played with, and for that job it is hard to beat. If you want a set to admire, look through our luxury chess pieces.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 The sheesham tournament army lined up

Frequently asked questions
What square size suits these pieces?

50mm squares. The three timbers are published with three different windows and they overlap only at that figure, so 50mm is the size to match.

What is the difference between the three options?

Only the dark timber and the board size that suits it best. Rosewood is a deep red brown, sheesham a warm mid brown, ebonised boxwood a near black. The pattern and the weight are identical.

Is sheesham the same as golden rosewood?

They are the same timber, and it is sold under both names. On this listing it appears as sheesham, a warm mid brown; the separate rosewood option is a different, deeper and redder timber again.

Why are the bishop and knight so close in height?

It is normal for a tournament pattern, which favours durability and a level rank over a dramatic height ladder. You tell them apart by the mitre and the horse's head instead.

What makes this a tournament set?

Hardwood construction, a robust outline with nothing fragile on it, generous bases, and a full playing size king. It is built to be used, which is the whole brief.

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

34 pieces, which is two more than a game uses, so there is a spare queen for each side when a pawn promotes. No board is included, so that is chosen separately.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

96mm high (3.8 inch), 36mm base

Queen

81mm high (3.2 inch), 36mm base

Bishop

70mm high (2.8 inch), 33mm base

Knight

68mm high (2.7 inch), 33mm base

Rook

52mm high (2.0 inch), 33mm base

Pawn

47mm high (1.9 inch), 27mm base

Rosewood option

Rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 1,000 grams, cut for 50mm to 55mm squares

Sheesham option

Sheesham dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 1,000 grams, cut for 45mm to 50mm squares

Ebonised Boxwood option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 1,000 grams, cut for 45mm to 55mm squares

Recommended square size

50mm (1.97 inch), the size all three options are cut for

Piece count

34

Chess board

Not included
What's In The Box?

34 chess pieces in the timber chosen
Includes two extra queens for promotion
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.