Staunton Chess Sets: Best Fine Wood Models (2026 Selection)

The Staunton style has been the world standard for chess pieces since 1849. Recognised by FIDE and used in every international tournament, it’s the design serious players choose. Here is our selection of the best Staunton chess sets, along with a guide to help you choose the right one.

Table des matières

What is the Staunton style?

The Staunton style was designed in 1849 by the Englishman Nathaniel Cook and endorsed by champion Howard Staunton. Before that date, every country used different designs, often confusing and hard to tell apart. The genius of the Staunton lies in its instant readability: each piece is immediately recognisable by its silhouette.

Piece	Staunton symbol	Characteristic
King	Cross on top	The tallest piece of the set (85-110 mm)
Queen	Serrated crown	Slightly smaller than the king, wider base
Bishop	Mitre (bishop’s hat)	Distinctive slit at the top
Knight	Carved horse’s head	The most complex piece to make
Rook	Fortress battlements	Wide, stable base, cylindrical shape
Pawn	Simple ball	The smallest piece, proportioned base

Our Staunton chess sets by material

🌳 Ebony & Boxwood

The royal duo: deep black ebony for the Black pieces, pale yellow boxwood for the White pieces. The most striking contrast and the standard of elite tournaments. Ebony or ebonised boxwood? See our guide to which wood to choose for a chess board and pieces. View our fine wood chess pieces.

💎 Palisander & Boxwood

Palisander offers spectacular reddish-brown tones with unique grain patterns. More affordable than ebony, it’s the best value for money for a quality Staunton set.

✨ Sheesham & Boxwood

Sheesham (Indian rosewood) is the accessible alternative to palisander. Warm tones, good density, careful finishing. Ideal for a first Staunton set in fine wood.

⚖ Metal Staunton

Pieces in the Staunton format. The Staunton chess board is the world standard, but in brass or bronze. The weight of the metal combined with Staunton’s readability. Perfect for fans of heavy, shiny pieces.

How to choose the size of your Staunton set

King	Chess board	Use	Guide price
75-85 mm	35-40 cm	Family, beginners	€60-150
85-95 mm	40-45 cm	Club, regular player	€150-400
95-105 mm	48-55 cm	FIDE competition, collection	€300-1000+

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Expert tip: For versatile everyday use, aim for a 90 mm king with a 42-45 cm chess board. This is the most comfortable format for playing with the family while still meeting club standards. Pair your Staunton pieces with a fine wood chess board in matching tones for a harmonious set.

To learn more about the history of the Staunton design and its evolution since 1849, take a look at our pillar article on the history of chess. And to learn how to correctly set up the pieces on the chess board, follow our step-by-step visual guide.