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This set strips the Staunton outline back to two ideas and trusts you to fill in the rest.
The bodies are sleek and unbroken, with none of the collars and steps a traditional pattern uses to mark one piece off from another. Underneath them the bases swell out into a pronounced curve.
That is the whole design, and it works because the silhouettes are still unmistakable. You never have to think about which piece you are holding.
It is a modern design named for Zadar on the Croatian coast, submitted by Marin Kucina of Random Chess Talk, in tribute to a region that gave chess two of its most admired patterns.
It belongs in our minimalist chess pieces, and it earns the name.
The risk with a minimalist design is losing the ability to tell you what you are holding.
This one does not, and that is the achievement. The proportions do the work the collars and finials would normally do, so the bishop still reads as a bishop and the knight is unmistakable at a glance.
The bases are the other half of it. They swell out into a curve, which gives the army a stance and keeps the clean bodies from looking like a row of skittles.
The scale is deliberately ordinary. This is a club sized set for a standard board, meant to be played with on a table and not admired on a shelf.
These pieces suit standard boards, with squares of 50mm to 55mm, and 55mm is the one we would choose. On 50mm the opening ranks stand closer together and the set looks fuller.
The carving and every dimension are the same on both, and the light army is boxwood either way. Only the dark side changes.
Golden rosewood is a warm mid brown with the grain showing through. On a design this clean the figure becomes the decoration, which is a nice inversion of how a traditional set works.
Ebonised boxwood takes the dark army to a near black. That gives the harder contrast and it suits the modern outline best, because nothing distracts from the shapes themselves.
For a set that will be looked at as an object, take the ebonised option. For one that will sit in a room with other timber, golden rosewood is the friendlier of the two.
Both are weighted identically and both play the same, so this is purely a decision about how you want the board to look.
It is worth saying that clean shapes hold up close. There is no ornament to look rough, so the set stands scrutiny at arm's length.
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.
Worth choosing if you like modern design and you are tired of every chess set looking like a nineteenth century drawing. It is a contemporary object that still functions as a proper playing set.
The bases are the detail I would point at. Without that curve the design would be too austere; with it the army has a stance and a bit of personality, and the whole thing holds together.
It is a modern design, so do not buy it expecting history. If lineage is what you are after, our Staunton chess pieces are the range to browse.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
50mm to 55mm squares, and 55mm is the one we would choose. On 50mm the opening ranks stand closer together and the set looks fuller.
Only the dark timber. Golden rosewood is a warm mid brown with the grain showing through; ebonised boxwood is a near black with harder contrast. Every dimension is identical.
It was submitted by Marin Kucina of Random Chess Talk, and named after Zadar on the Croatian coast in tribute to the region's chess design history.
It takes a game or two if you are used to a traditional set. The proportions do the work the ornament normally does, and the bishop and the pawn stop needing a second look fairly quickly.
Yes. The complete 34 pieces come to 1,050 grams, so they sit down properly on the board and stay put. It is built for playing, not for display.
34 pieces, which is two more than a game array uses. No board is included, so that is chosen separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 39mm base |
|
Queen |
78mm high (3.1 inch), 38mm base |
|
Bishop |
74mm high (2.9 inch), 35mm base |
|
Knight |
68mm high (2.7 inch), 34mm base |
|
Rook |
59mm high (2.3 inch), 35mm base |
|
Pawn |
50mm high (2.0 inch), 30mm base |
|
Weighting |
Weighted |
|
Golden rosewood option |
Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,050 grams (2.3 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber pairing chosen
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
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.
This set strips the Staunton outline back to two ideas and trusts you to fill in the rest.
The bodies are sleek and unbroken, with none of the collars and steps a traditional pattern uses to mark one piece off from another. Underneath them the bases swell out into a pronounced curve.
That is the whole design, and it works because the silhouettes are still unmistakable. You never have to think about which piece you are holding.
It is a modern design named for Zadar on the Croatian coast, submitted by Marin Kucina of Random Chess Talk, in tribute to a region that gave chess two of its most admired patterns.
It belongs in our minimalist chess pieces, and it earns the name.
The risk with a minimalist design is losing the ability to tell you what you are holding.
This one does not, and that is the achievement. The proportions do the work the collars and finials would normally do, so the bishop still reads as a bishop and the knight is unmistakable at a glance.
The bases are the other half of it. They swell out into a curve, which gives the army a stance and keeps the clean bodies from looking like a row of skittles.
The scale is deliberately ordinary. This is a club sized set for a standard board, meant to be played with on a table and not admired on a shelf.
These pieces suit standard boards, with squares of 50mm to 55mm, and 55mm is the one we would choose. On 50mm the opening ranks stand closer together and the set looks fuller.
The carving and every dimension are the same on both, and the light army is boxwood either way. Only the dark side changes.
Golden rosewood is a warm mid brown with the grain showing through. On a design this clean the figure becomes the decoration, which is a nice inversion of how a traditional set works.
Ebonised boxwood takes the dark army to a near black. That gives the harder contrast and it suits the modern outline best, because nothing distracts from the shapes themselves.
For a set that will be looked at as an object, take the ebonised option. For one that will sit in a room with other timber, golden rosewood is the friendlier of the two.
Both are weighted identically and both play the same, so this is purely a decision about how you want the board to look.
It is worth saying that clean shapes hold up close. There is no ornament to look rough, so the set stands scrutiny at arm's length.
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.
Worth choosing if you like modern design and you are tired of every chess set looking like a nineteenth century drawing. It is a contemporary object that still functions as a proper playing set.
The bases are the detail I would point at. Without that curve the design would be too austere; with it the army has a stance and a bit of personality, and the whole thing holds together.
It is a modern design, so do not buy it expecting history. If lineage is what you are after, our Staunton chess pieces are the range to browse.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
50mm to 55mm squares, and 55mm is the one we would choose. On 50mm the opening ranks stand closer together and the set looks fuller.
Only the dark timber. Golden rosewood is a warm mid brown with the grain showing through; ebonised boxwood is a near black with harder contrast. Every dimension is identical.
It was submitted by Marin Kucina of Random Chess Talk, and named after Zadar on the Croatian coast in tribute to the region's chess design history.
It takes a game or two if you are used to a traditional set. The proportions do the work the ornament normally does, and the bishop and the pawn stop needing a second look fairly quickly.
Yes. The complete 34 pieces come to 1,050 grams, so they sit down properly on the board and stay put. It is built for playing, not for display.
34 pieces, which is two more than a game array uses. No board is included, so that is chosen separately.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
98mm high (3.9 inch), 39mm base |
|
Queen |
78mm high (3.1 inch), 38mm base |
|
Bishop |
74mm high (2.9 inch), 35mm base |
|
Knight |
68mm high (2.7 inch), 34mm base |
|
Rook |
59mm high (2.3 inch), 35mm base |
|
Pawn |
50mm high (2.0 inch), 30mm base |
|
Weighting |
Weighted |
|
Golden rosewood option |
Golden rosewood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Ebonised option |
Ebonised boxwood dark pieces, boxwood light pieces |
|
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm (1.96 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,050 grams (2.3 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in the timber pairing chosen
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
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.
