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The War Admiral is a set for the player who wants the board to look as considered as the game played on it. A 112mm king puts these among the taller Staunton pieces in the luxury chess pieces collection, scaled for a study board rather than a travel one. They suit collectors, home players with a board already waiting, and anyone buying a milestone gift.
The dark side is turned from genuine ebony, Diospyros Ebenum, not ebonised boxwood dyed to imitate it. The difference shows over time. Dyed surfaces wear pale at the base rim and the finger points, while real ebony keeps its colour because the colour goes all the way through. The light side is boxwood, Gardenia Latifolia, given an antiqued finish that reads warm and slightly aged rather than bright new cream.
Everything is hand carved and hand finished, so the knights carry small individual differences from one set to the next. That is the nature of the work rather than a flaw in it.
Most Staunton sets at the upper end of the market reach for one of two things: an unusual timber, or an unusually large king. The War Admiral does both quietly. Genuine ebony is the material buyers most often ask for and least often get, because ebonised boxwood is cheaper to produce and photographs almost identically.
Against ebonised sets of similar height, the practical difference is longevity rather than first impressions. Both look right on day one. Only one still looks right after a decade of handling.
Against other genuine ebony sets, the deciding factors are usually king height and carving standard. At 112mm this sits at the taller end of what a 55mm board will take comfortably. If a different scale suits your board better, the wider Sterling Chess chess pieces range covers the sizes either side of it.
Ebony is dense, close grained and slow growing, which is why it costs what it costs and why it turns so cleanly. On a piece this size that density matters. The finials on the king and queen hold a crisp edge instead of softening, and the bishop mitre keeps a clean cut rather than a rounded one.
The antiqued boxwood on the light side is doing a different job. A bright white piece next to true black can read harsh under a lamp. The antiqued finish knocks the contrast back a step, which is easier on the eye across a long game and sits better against a dark timber board.
The set totals roughly 1440 grams across 34 chessmen, which averages a little over 42 grams a piece across the roster. In practice that is a moderate weighting. Enough that a piece settles where you put it and does not slide when a sleeve brushes the board, without the deliberate heft of a double weighted tournament set. The maker notes the figure can vary by around ten percent, since weighting is added by hand.
The 44mm king base is the number that governs how the board looks once the pieces are out. On 55mm squares it leaves a sensible margin around each piece, so a crowded centre still reads clearly and neighbouring files do not run together.
These pieces are sold on their own, so a playing surface is a separate purchase. The maker specification calls for a 55mm square size, and that is the figure to buy to. The convention is that a king base should occupy roughly 75 to 80 percent of the square it stands on. A 44mm base on a 55mm square lands at 80 percent, which is why the pairing works.
Go smaller, to 50mm squares, and the position starts to feel crowded once the middlegame arrives. Go larger, to 60mm, and the pieces look under scaled on the surface. If you are buying both at once, the Sterling Chess chess boards collection lists square sizes on every product so you can match with confidence.
The appeal here is material honesty. This is genuine ebony rather than ebonised boxwood, so the dark pieces carry their own grain instead of a dyed surface that goes patchy at the base rim after a few years of handling. Worth knowing before you order: the set totals around 1440 grams across 34 pieces, a moderate weighting rather than the heavy tournament feel some club players expect, and the maker states that figure can move by around ten percent either way. These suit a collector or a home player furnishing a 55mm board they already own, rather than someone after a competition weighted set straight out of the packaging.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
They suit collectors and home players who want a large Staunton set in real timber, and they make a considered milestone gift. Club players who prefer a heavily weighted competition feel may want something denser. Compare sizes and weightings across the Staunton chess pieces range before deciding.
A 55mm square size is the recommended match, based on the 44mm king base. A 50mm board will feel tight once the middlegame arrives, and a 60mm board leaves the pieces looking under scaled. Square size is listed on every board we stock.
Genuine ebony, listed by the maker as Diospyros Ebenum. The light pieces are boxwood, Gardenia Latifolia, with an antiqued finish applied by hand. Neither side is a dyed imitation of another timber.
Keep them out of direct sun and away from heating vents, since both timbers respond to swings in humidity. Wipe with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, and never use household cleaners or solvents. Storing them somewhere with a stable temperature is the single most useful habit.
No. This is a pieces only listing: 32 chess pieces plus two extra queens, and nothing further. A board is not included and a storage box is not included, so please budget for both separately.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
112 mm (4.43 inches) |
King base diameter |
44 mm (1.73 inches) |
Queen height |
100 mm (3.95 inches), 41 mm base |
Bishop height |
87 mm (3.44 inches), 38 mm base |
Knight height |
84 mm (3.30 inches), 38 mm base |
Rook height |
71 mm (2.79 inches), 37 mm base |
Pawn height |
65 mm (2.57 inches), 32 mm base |
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood (Diospyros Ebenum) |
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia) |
Piece count |
34 chessmen, including 2 extra queens |
Set weight |
Approximately 1440 grams, may vary by around 10 percent |
Recommended square size |
55 mm |
Design |
Staunton pattern, handcrafted |
32 chess pieces in ebony and antiqued boxwood
2 extra 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.
The War Admiral is a set for the player who wants the board to look as considered as the game played on it. A 112mm king puts these among the taller Staunton pieces in the luxury chess pieces collection, scaled for a study board rather than a travel one. They suit collectors, home players with a board already waiting, and anyone buying a milestone gift.
The dark side is turned from genuine ebony, Diospyros Ebenum, not ebonised boxwood dyed to imitate it. The difference shows over time. Dyed surfaces wear pale at the base rim and the finger points, while real ebony keeps its colour because the colour goes all the way through. The light side is boxwood, Gardenia Latifolia, given an antiqued finish that reads warm and slightly aged rather than bright new cream.
Everything is hand carved and hand finished, so the knights carry small individual differences from one set to the next. That is the nature of the work rather than a flaw in it.
Most Staunton sets at the upper end of the market reach for one of two things: an unusual timber, or an unusually large king. The War Admiral does both quietly. Genuine ebony is the material buyers most often ask for and least often get, because ebonised boxwood is cheaper to produce and photographs almost identically.
Against ebonised sets of similar height, the practical difference is longevity rather than first impressions. Both look right on day one. Only one still looks right after a decade of handling.
Against other genuine ebony sets, the deciding factors are usually king height and carving standard. At 112mm this sits at the taller end of what a 55mm board will take comfortably. If a different scale suits your board better, the wider Sterling Chess chess pieces range covers the sizes either side of it.
Ebony is dense, close grained and slow growing, which is why it costs what it costs and why it turns so cleanly. On a piece this size that density matters. The finials on the king and queen hold a crisp edge instead of softening, and the bishop mitre keeps a clean cut rather than a rounded one.
The antiqued boxwood on the light side is doing a different job. A bright white piece next to true black can read harsh under a lamp. The antiqued finish knocks the contrast back a step, which is easier on the eye across a long game and sits better against a dark timber board.
The set totals roughly 1440 grams across 34 chessmen, which averages a little over 42 grams a piece across the roster. In practice that is a moderate weighting. Enough that a piece settles where you put it and does not slide when a sleeve brushes the board, without the deliberate heft of a double weighted tournament set. The maker notes the figure can vary by around ten percent, since weighting is added by hand.
The 44mm king base is the number that governs how the board looks once the pieces are out. On 55mm squares it leaves a sensible margin around each piece, so a crowded centre still reads clearly and neighbouring files do not run together.
These pieces are sold on their own, so a playing surface is a separate purchase. The maker specification calls for a 55mm square size, and that is the figure to buy to. The convention is that a king base should occupy roughly 75 to 80 percent of the square it stands on. A 44mm base on a 55mm square lands at 80 percent, which is why the pairing works.
Go smaller, to 50mm squares, and the position starts to feel crowded once the middlegame arrives. Go larger, to 60mm, and the pieces look under scaled on the surface. If you are buying both at once, the Sterling Chess chess boards collection lists square sizes on every product so you can match with confidence.
The appeal here is material honesty. This is genuine ebony rather than ebonised boxwood, so the dark pieces carry their own grain instead of a dyed surface that goes patchy at the base rim after a few years of handling. Worth knowing before you order: the set totals around 1440 grams across 34 pieces, a moderate weighting rather than the heavy tournament feel some club players expect, and the maker states that figure can move by around ten percent either way. These suit a collector or a home player furnishing a 55mm board they already own, rather than someone after a competition weighted set straight out of the packaging.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
They suit collectors and home players who want a large Staunton set in real timber, and they make a considered milestone gift. Club players who prefer a heavily weighted competition feel may want something denser. Compare sizes and weightings across the Staunton chess pieces range before deciding.
A 55mm square size is the recommended match, based on the 44mm king base. A 50mm board will feel tight once the middlegame arrives, and a 60mm board leaves the pieces looking under scaled. Square size is listed on every board we stock.
Genuine ebony, listed by the maker as Diospyros Ebenum. The light pieces are boxwood, Gardenia Latifolia, with an antiqued finish applied by hand. Neither side is a dyed imitation of another timber.
Keep them out of direct sun and away from heating vents, since both timbers respond to swings in humidity. Wipe with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, and never use household cleaners or solvents. Storing them somewhere with a stable temperature is the single most useful habit.
No. This is a pieces only listing: 32 chess pieces plus two extra queens, and nothing further. A board is not included and a storage box is not included, so please budget for both separately.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
112 mm (4.43 inches) |
King base diameter |
44 mm (1.73 inches) |
Queen height |
100 mm (3.95 inches), 41 mm base |
Bishop height |
87 mm (3.44 inches), 38 mm base |
Knight height |
84 mm (3.30 inches), 38 mm base |
Rook height |
71 mm (2.79 inches), 37 mm base |
Pawn height |
65 mm (2.57 inches), 32 mm base |
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood (Diospyros Ebenum) |
Light pieces |
Antiqued boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia) |
Piece count |
34 chessmen, including 2 extra queens |
Set weight |
Approximately 1440 grams, may vary by around 10 percent |
Recommended square size |
55 mm |
Design |
Staunton pattern, handcrafted |
32 chess pieces in ebony and antiqued boxwood
2 extra 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.
