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Golden Rosewood chessmen with an 85mm king

Tournament Staunton 85mm Chess Pieces

by Sterling Chess
$189.00

✔ Australian Owned & Operated
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Description

Tournament Staunton 85mm Chess Pieces

This is a German Staunton, which is a distinct tradition from the English one and drawn to different priorities.

Where an English Staunton reaches for elegance, the German pattern reaches for durability and legibility: simpler forms, fewer places to break, and an outline you can read instantly at club distance.

At an 85mm king this is a compact reading of it, drawn for smaller boards and for travel rather than for a full sized table.

The set is weighted and stable in handling, the complete 34 pieces come to 712 grams, and two of the 34 are spare queens.

You will find it among our tournament chess pieces.

 The golden rosewood king and queen standing together

Key features

  • An 85mm king drawn for smaller boards and for travel, at the compact end of playing sizes
  • A German Staunton, drawn for durability and legibility rather than for elegance
  • Weighted, so each piece settles when it is put down and stays where it is put
  • 712 grams for the complete 34 pieces, carried in a compact army
  • Shorter, stouter finials and simpler collars, so there is nothing thin to snap
  • Two timbers on one pattern: golden rosewood or ebonised boxwood, both against boxwood
  • Cut for a compact square, and it suits a folding travel board as well as a table
  • 34 pieces, including two extra queens so a promotion is never an improvisation

About the pieces

Every dimension is identical across the two options, the light army is boxwood in both cases, and only the dark side changes.

The golden rosewood option gives you two natural timbers. Golden rosewood is a warm mid brown with visible figure, and against plain boxwood the contrast is present but gentle.

On a compact set that is often the better look, because a hard split across a small board can read as busy.

The ebonised boxwood option brings the dark army to a near black, which is the stronger separation and the more practical one at club distance. Both armies then start from the same timber, so the two sides feel identical under the fingers.

Buy a small board for these, with squares of 45mm to 50mm, and take 50mm if you have the choice. At 45mm the opening ranks sit closer together, which suits a folding travel board; below 45mm the set is outside its range, and on anything full sized it will look lost.

 The ebonised boxwood army lined up

What makes a Staunton German

The Staunton pattern spread across Europe from London and was reinterpreted as it went. The German reading kept the essential grammar, a crowned king, a coroneted queen, a mitred bishop, a crenellated rook, and simplified almost everything else.

The differences are all practical ones. Finials are shorter and stouter. Collars are simpler. The knight is drawn in broad form.

Every one of those decisions removes a thin, exposed feature, and a thin exposed feature is what breaks when a set is swept into a pile at the end of a club night.

The result has been the everyday choice across continental Europe for a very long time, not because it is beautiful but because it survives being used and stays legible while doing it.

At this scale the simplification matters more still, because there is less material in each piece to begin with. So does the weighting: a small piece that is not weighted will slide on a polished board and tip if a sleeve catches it.

The two spare queens are the other thing that earns its place on an everyday set. Promotion happens, often more than once in a long game, and an upturned rook is awkward to handle and ambiguous to an opponent glancing at the board.

Looking after it is the same on both options and undemanding, which suits the purpose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what causes hardwood to check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and skip oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners entirely.

Our expert take

This is a proper everyday set drawn for use. Stout finials, simple collars, nothing thin to snap, and enough weight across 34 pieces to keep everything where it was put.

None of that is glamorous and all of it is what you actually want from a set you play with every week. The two spare queens are worth more than they sound.

Scale is the thing to be sure about. This is drawn for a compact board or a folding travel one, and it will be swamped on a full sized table. If you want the same discipline at playing size, our staunton chess pieces are the place to look.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Ebonised boxwood knight and rook side by side

Frequently asked questions
What square size suits these pieces?

45mm to 50mm. Many folding travel boards are cut at the smaller size and the set is drawn to work there, but the roomier end is where it looks best. Check the square before ordering, because below the window the set is out of its range and above it the army looks lost.

What is the difference between the two options?

Only the dark timber changes. The shapes, the weight, the square window and the piece count are the same either way, and the light army is boxwood in both cases. Golden rosewood gives a gentler contrast; ebonised boxwood takes the dark side to a near black.

What is a German Staunton?

The continental European reading of the Staunton pattern. It keeps the essential grammar and simplifies almost everything else: shorter stouter finials, simpler collars, and a knight in broad form. It is drawn for durability.

Are these pieces weighted?

Yes, and at this scale that is the feature that matters most. The complete 34 pieces weigh 712 grams. A king this small holds little material, and an unweighted piece of that size would slide on a polished board.

What is this set for?

Everyday play on a compact board, and travel. It suits a small table, a folding travel board, or a set that has to share a table with other things.

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

34 chess pieces, including two extra queens for promotion. No board is included, so it is chosen separately and should match the square size in the specifications below.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

85mm high (3.3 inch), 37mm base

Queen

71mm high (2.8 inch), 32mm base

Bishop

64mm high (2.5 inch), 30mm base

Knight

61mm high (2.4 inch), 30mm base

Rook

48mm high (1.9 inch), 29mm base

Pawn

41mm high (1.6 inch), 26mm base

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 712 grams (1.5 lbs)

Ebonised Boxwood option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 712 grams (1.5 lbs)

Weighting

Weighted

Recommended square size

45mm to 50mm (1.77 inch to 1.97 inch)

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 Staunton 85mm Chess Pieces

This is a German Staunton, which is a distinct tradition from the English one and drawn to different priorities.

Where an English Staunton reaches for elegance, the German pattern reaches for durability and legibility: simpler forms, fewer places to break, and an outline you can read instantly at club distance.

At an 85mm king this is a compact reading of it, drawn for smaller boards and for travel rather than for a full sized table.

The set is weighted and stable in handling, the complete 34 pieces come to 712 grams, and two of the 34 are spare queens.

You will find it among our tournament chess pieces.

 The golden rosewood king and queen standing together

Key features

  • An 85mm king drawn for smaller boards and for travel, at the compact end of playing sizes
  • A German Staunton, drawn for durability and legibility rather than for elegance
  • Weighted, so each piece settles when it is put down and stays where it is put
  • 712 grams for the complete 34 pieces, carried in a compact army
  • Shorter, stouter finials and simpler collars, so there is nothing thin to snap
  • Two timbers on one pattern: golden rosewood or ebonised boxwood, both against boxwood
  • Cut for a compact square, and it suits a folding travel board as well as a table
  • 34 pieces, including two extra queens so a promotion is never an improvisation

About the pieces

Every dimension is identical across the two options, the light army is boxwood in both cases, and only the dark side changes.

The golden rosewood option gives you two natural timbers. Golden rosewood is a warm mid brown with visible figure, and against plain boxwood the contrast is present but gentle.

On a compact set that is often the better look, because a hard split across a small board can read as busy.

The ebonised boxwood option brings the dark army to a near black, which is the stronger separation and the more practical one at club distance. Both armies then start from the same timber, so the two sides feel identical under the fingers.

Buy a small board for these, with squares of 45mm to 50mm, and take 50mm if you have the choice. At 45mm the opening ranks sit closer together, which suits a folding travel board; below 45mm the set is outside its range, and on anything full sized it will look lost.

 The ebonised boxwood army lined up

What makes a Staunton German

The Staunton pattern spread across Europe from London and was reinterpreted as it went. The German reading kept the essential grammar, a crowned king, a coroneted queen, a mitred bishop, a crenellated rook, and simplified almost everything else.

The differences are all practical ones. Finials are shorter and stouter. Collars are simpler. The knight is drawn in broad form.

Every one of those decisions removes a thin, exposed feature, and a thin exposed feature is what breaks when a set is swept into a pile at the end of a club night.

The result has been the everyday choice across continental Europe for a very long time, not because it is beautiful but because it survives being used and stays legible while doing it.

At this scale the simplification matters more still, because there is less material in each piece to begin with. So does the weighting: a small piece that is not weighted will slide on a polished board and tip if a sleeve catches it.

The two spare queens are the other thing that earns its place on an everyday set. Promotion happens, often more than once in a long game, and an upturned rook is awkward to handle and ambiguous to an opponent glancing at the board.

Looking after it is the same on both options and undemanding, which suits the purpose. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what causes hardwood to check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and skip oil, furniture polish and solvent based cleaners entirely.

Our expert take

This is a proper everyday set drawn for use. Stout finials, simple collars, nothing thin to snap, and enough weight across 34 pieces to keep everything where it was put.

None of that is glamorous and all of it is what you actually want from a set you play with every week. The two spare queens are worth more than they sound.

Scale is the thing to be sure about. This is drawn for a compact board or a folding travel one, and it will be swamped on a full sized table. If you want the same discipline at playing size, our staunton chess pieces are the place to look.

- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess

 Ebonised boxwood knight and rook side by side

Frequently asked questions
What square size suits these pieces?

45mm to 50mm. Many folding travel boards are cut at the smaller size and the set is drawn to work there, but the roomier end is where it looks best. Check the square before ordering, because below the window the set is out of its range and above it the army looks lost.

What is the difference between the two options?

Only the dark timber changes. The shapes, the weight, the square window and the piece count are the same either way, and the light army is boxwood in both cases. Golden rosewood gives a gentler contrast; ebonised boxwood takes the dark side to a near black.

What is a German Staunton?

The continental European reading of the Staunton pattern. It keeps the essential grammar and simplifies almost everything else: shorter stouter finials, simpler collars, and a knight in broad form. It is drawn for durability.

Are these pieces weighted?

Yes, and at this scale that is the feature that matters most. The complete 34 pieces weigh 712 grams. A king this small holds little material, and an unweighted piece of that size would slide on a polished board.

What is this set for?

Everyday play on a compact board, and travel. It suits a small table, a folding travel board, or a set that has to share a table with other things.

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

34 chess pieces, including two extra queens for promotion. No board is included, so it is chosen separately and should match the square size in the specifications below.
Specifications

Spec

Detail

King

85mm high (3.3 inch), 37mm base

Queen

71mm high (2.8 inch), 32mm base

Bishop

64mm high (2.5 inch), 30mm base

Knight

61mm high (2.4 inch), 30mm base

Rook

48mm high (1.9 inch), 29mm base

Pawn

41mm high (1.6 inch), 26mm base

Golden Rosewood option

Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 712 grams (1.5 lbs)

Ebonised Boxwood option

Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces, 712 grams (1.5 lbs)

Weighting

Weighted

Recommended square size

45mm to 50mm (1.77 inch to 1.97 inch)

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.