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A full tournament Staunton set in solid timber, sized down to a 77mm king for players who want real wood on a standard home or club board. These Staunton chess pieces are the most accessible line in the German Knight family, and they are built for regular play rather than the display cabinet.
The dark pieces are turned from sheesham, an Indian rosewood with a warm reddish brown figure that deepens as it is handled. The light pieces are natural boxwood, close grained and pale. Both are finished on the lathe and hand assembled, so the grain runs differently through every king and every knight.
The German Knight is the distinguishing feature. Its head sits higher and more alert than the stockier horse found on standard Staunton sets, and it is the reason this pattern has a following among club players. At 77mm it is the compact member of that family.
Most tournament Staunton sets aim at the FIDE preferred 95mm king, which needs a board with 50mm to 55mm squares and a table to match. This set takes the same pattern and brings it down to 77mm, which is where a great many home and club boards actually sit.
Against the rest of our wood chess pieces range, this is the entry point. Sets above it move into ebonised boxwood, bud rosewood and ebony, add weighting to the bases, and climb in king height. What you get here is genuine timber and the German Knight carving without the extra weight or the extra size.
That makes it a sensible first wooden set, and a sensible second set for anyone who already owns a larger one and wants something scaled for a smaller board.
The knight is the hardest Staunton piece to carve and the one that separates one pattern from another. The German Knight has a longer neck, a raised muzzle and a defined mane, where the standard tournament horse is shorter and blunter. On the board it reads clearly from across the table, which matters more than it sounds when you are scanning a position for forks.
Because the carving is finished by hand, no two knights in a set are identical. Minor variation in the mane and in the angle of the head is a mark of hand work rather than a fault.
A 77mm king with a 31mm base wants squares between 40mm and 45mm. That gives the base room to sit inside the square with a visible margin, so a crowded centre still reads cleanly. Boards with 50mm squares will physically work, but the pieces will look undersized and the position will feel loose.
If you are buying a board alongside these, check the square measurement rather than the overall board size, because outer borders vary widely between makers. Our chess boards collection lists square size on every product.
At 520g for 34 pieces this set carries no added weighting. The pieces are light, which makes them easy for children and older hands to move around the board. It also means they will slide if the board is knocked, and they will not plant with the thud that a weighted tournament set gives you.
For casual games, teaching and club practice that is a fair trade. For blitz on an unsteady table, or for anyone who has grown used to double weighted pieces, it will feel light.
The German Knight carving is the reason to buy this set, and at 77mm you get it in solid sheesham and boxwood at the most accessible point in the range. The honest caveat is the weight: 520g across 34 pieces means no added weighting, so these will not plant on the board the way a double weighted tournament set does, and the 77mm king sits well under the 95mm FIDE preference. We would put it in front of a family buying their first wooden set or a club wanting spare sets for practice, and steer serious tournament players towards a taller, weighted option.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Players who want solid timber on a standard home or club board without moving to a full size weighted tournament set. The 77mm king and light 520g set weight also make them straightforward for children to handle, so they work well as a first wooden set.
Look for squares between 40mm and 45mm. The king base measures 31mm, so that range leaves a clear margin around each piece and keeps a crowded centre readable. Squares of 50mm and above will make the set look undersized.
No. This is a pieces only listing, so neither a board nor a storage box ships with it. You will need a board with 40mm to 45mm squares and, if you want one, a separate storage solution.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, because dry heat is what causes turned hardwood to check and crack. Dust them with a dry soft cloth. Avoid household cleaners and standing water.
The same carving pattern runs across several king heights. This is the compact one at 77mm, suited to smaller boards, while the taller versions move closer to the 95mm FIDE preference and need 50mm to 55mm squares. Compare the sizes across our chess pieces collection.
No. The complete set weighs 520g across 34 pieces, which means no added weighting in the bases. They are light and easy to move, but they will not have the planted feel of a weighted tournament set.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
77 mm (3.03 in) |
King base diameter |
31 mm (1.22 in) |
Queen |
66 mm high, 30 mm base |
Bishop |
60 mm high, 26 mm base |
Knight |
56 mm high, 26 mm base |
Rook |
40 mm high, 26 mm base |
Pawn |
38 mm high, 23 mm base |
Piece material |
Sheesham and natural boxwood |
Number of pieces |
34, including two extra queens |
Set weight |
520 g |
Recommended square size |
40 mm to 45 mm |
Pattern |
Tournament Staunton, German Knight |
Finish |
Turned and hand finished |
32 chess pieces in sheesham and natural 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.
A full tournament Staunton set in solid timber, sized down to a 77mm king for players who want real wood on a standard home or club board. These Staunton chess pieces are the most accessible line in the German Knight family, and they are built for regular play rather than the display cabinet.
The dark pieces are turned from sheesham, an Indian rosewood with a warm reddish brown figure that deepens as it is handled. The light pieces are natural boxwood, close grained and pale. Both are finished on the lathe and hand assembled, so the grain runs differently through every king and every knight.
The German Knight is the distinguishing feature. Its head sits higher and more alert than the stockier horse found on standard Staunton sets, and it is the reason this pattern has a following among club players. At 77mm it is the compact member of that family.
Most tournament Staunton sets aim at the FIDE preferred 95mm king, which needs a board with 50mm to 55mm squares and a table to match. This set takes the same pattern and brings it down to 77mm, which is where a great many home and club boards actually sit.
Against the rest of our wood chess pieces range, this is the entry point. Sets above it move into ebonised boxwood, bud rosewood and ebony, add weighting to the bases, and climb in king height. What you get here is genuine timber and the German Knight carving without the extra weight or the extra size.
That makes it a sensible first wooden set, and a sensible second set for anyone who already owns a larger one and wants something scaled for a smaller board.
The knight is the hardest Staunton piece to carve and the one that separates one pattern from another. The German Knight has a longer neck, a raised muzzle and a defined mane, where the standard tournament horse is shorter and blunter. On the board it reads clearly from across the table, which matters more than it sounds when you are scanning a position for forks.
Because the carving is finished by hand, no two knights in a set are identical. Minor variation in the mane and in the angle of the head is a mark of hand work rather than a fault.
A 77mm king with a 31mm base wants squares between 40mm and 45mm. That gives the base room to sit inside the square with a visible margin, so a crowded centre still reads cleanly. Boards with 50mm squares will physically work, but the pieces will look undersized and the position will feel loose.
If you are buying a board alongside these, check the square measurement rather than the overall board size, because outer borders vary widely between makers. Our chess boards collection lists square size on every product.
At 520g for 34 pieces this set carries no added weighting. The pieces are light, which makes them easy for children and older hands to move around the board. It also means they will slide if the board is knocked, and they will not plant with the thud that a weighted tournament set gives you.
For casual games, teaching and club practice that is a fair trade. For blitz on an unsteady table, or for anyone who has grown used to double weighted pieces, it will feel light.
The German Knight carving is the reason to buy this set, and at 77mm you get it in solid sheesham and boxwood at the most accessible point in the range. The honest caveat is the weight: 520g across 34 pieces means no added weighting, so these will not plant on the board the way a double weighted tournament set does, and the 77mm king sits well under the 95mm FIDE preference. We would put it in front of a family buying their first wooden set or a club wanting spare sets for practice, and steer serious tournament players towards a taller, weighted option.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Players who want solid timber on a standard home or club board without moving to a full size weighted tournament set. The 77mm king and light 520g set weight also make them straightforward for children to handle, so they work well as a first wooden set.
Look for squares between 40mm and 45mm. The king base measures 31mm, so that range leaves a clear margin around each piece and keeps a crowded centre readable. Squares of 50mm and above will make the set look undersized.
No. This is a pieces only listing, so neither a board nor a storage box ships with it. You will need a board with 40mm to 45mm squares and, if you want one, a separate storage solution.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, because dry heat is what causes turned hardwood to check and crack. Dust them with a dry soft cloth. Avoid household cleaners and standing water.
The same carving pattern runs across several king heights. This is the compact one at 77mm, suited to smaller boards, while the taller versions move closer to the 95mm FIDE preference and need 50mm to 55mm squares. Compare the sizes across our chess pieces collection.
No. The complete set weighs 520g across 34 pieces, which means no added weighting in the bases. They are light and easy to move, but they will not have the planted feel of a weighted tournament set.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
77 mm (3.03 in) |
King base diameter |
31 mm (1.22 in) |
Queen |
66 mm high, 30 mm base |
Bishop |
60 mm high, 26 mm base |
Knight |
56 mm high, 26 mm base |
Rook |
40 mm high, 26 mm base |
Pawn |
38 mm high, 23 mm base |
Piece material |
Sheesham and natural boxwood |
Number of pieces |
34, including two extra queens |
Set weight |
520 g |
Recommended square size |
40 mm to 45 mm |
Pattern |
Tournament Staunton, German Knight |
Finish |
Turned and hand finished |
32 chess pieces in sheesham and natural 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.
