Gift Ideas
Complete Mahogany Chess Sets
Grand Championship Set: Maple & Mahogany Chess Board, Rosewood Chess Set & Birch Wood Storage Box
Black and White Chess Sets
Tournament & Club Chess Sets
Competition Set: Walnut & Maple Wood Chess Board, Boxwood Chess Set & Golden Rosewood Storage Box
Under €100
Complete Mahogany Chess Sets
Travel & Folding Chess Sets
Complete Mahogany Chess Sets
Leningrad Set – Mahogany Wood Chess Board and Ebonised Boxwood Chess Set
Under €100
Tournament & Club Chess Sets
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard 42 cm
Under €100
Under €100
Magnetic Chess Sets
Complete Marble Chess Sets
Alghero Set – Onyx and Marble Chess Board and Chess Set with Storage
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard 51 cm
Folding Chess Board and Wooden Chess Set Size 6 with Storage
Travel & Folding Chess Sets
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard 40 cm
Chess Sets for Children & Beginners
Knight Academy Set: Small Walnut and Maple Chess Board & Rosewood Chess Set
Chess Sets for Children & Beginners
Academy Medium Set – Walnut and Maple Wood Chess Board & Rosewood Chess Set
Travel & Folding Chess Sets
Gift Ideas
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard Under 30 cm
Cute Flowered & Globe Chess Set – Faux Leather Chess Board & Metal Pieces
Complete Ancient Greece & Mythology Chess Sets
Travel & Folding Chess Sets
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard 51 cm
Highclere Chess Set in Ebony and Boxwood & Maple and Walnut Chess Board with Storage Box
Black and White Chess Sets
Magnetic Chess Sets
Alabaster Chess Sets
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard 50 cm
Complete Marble Chess Sets
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard 50 cm
Atlantic II Set – Wenge Chess Board and Golden Rosewood Chess Pieces
Magnetic Chess Sets
Complete Chess Sets, Chessboard 42 cm
Wooden Chess Set with Folding Chessboard and Wooden Alphanumeric Coordinates
Modern & Design Chess Sets
Black and White Chess Sets
Complete Elm & Briarwood Chess Sets
Magnetic Chess Sets
Complete Walnut Chess Sets
Staunton Set with Walnut and Maple Wood Chess Board and Solid Brass Chess Pieces
Staunton Chess Sets: the World Standard Explained
Since 1849, the absolute reference for players
The Staunton chess set is today the only design recognised by FIDE (the International Chess Federation) for official tournaments. Created in 1849 by Nathaniel Cook and popularised by English champion Howard Staunton, this design has stood the test of nearly two centuries without ageing. Perfect ergonomics, instant readability, ideal balance: this is why it remains the essential choice for discerning players.
The History of the Staunton Design
Nathaniel Cook & Howard Staunton
In 1849, Nathaniel Cook patented a revolutionary set with clean, instantly recognisable shapes. Howard Staunton, the leading player of his time, lent his name to the design and endorsed it. Success was immediate in English clubs, then across the world.
Why such worldwide success?
Before Staunton, each region had its own pieces (French Régence, German Selenus, Indian…) creating confusion in international tournaments. The Staunton set brought universal readability: a player instantly recognises each piece, whatever the origin of the Staunton chess set.
The Features of a True Staunton
The crowned King
Topped with a small Latin cross, the Staunton king is instantly identifiable. Its height serves as the reference for all other pieces.
The crowned Queen
Adorned with a pointed crown, slightly smaller than the king. Its substantial volume ensures a comfortable grip.
The sculpted Knight
The most artistic piece: a horse's head carved with character. It's often the knight that reveals the quality of a Staunton chess set.
The mitred Bishop
Topped with a split mitre, a nod to its ecclesiastical origin (bishop). Slender shape, wide base, balanced weighting.
Official FIDE Dimensions
FIDE recommends precise proportions for official tournaments. The universal rule: the king's height should be between 9.5 and 10.5 cm, and its base diameter should represent 40 to 50% of the height.
| Use | King height | Board size | Square |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIDE competition | 9.5 – 10.5 cm | 50 – 55 cm | 5.0 – 6.5 cm |
| Club & home | 8.5 – 9.5 cm | 45 – 50 cm | 5.0 – 5.5 cm |
| Analysis / school | 7.5 – 8.5 cm | 40 – 45 cm | 4.5 – 5.0 cm |
| Travel / child | 5.0 – 7.0 cm | 25 – 35 cm | 3.0 – 4.0 cm |
| Collection / luxury | 10.5 – 12 cm | 55 – 60 cm | 6.0 – 7.0 cm |
How to Choose Your Staunton Set
Weighting & balance
Weighted pieces (double or triple weighted) offer unmatched stability. This is the number one criterion for a quality Staunton set: a piece that's too light tips over, while one that's too heavy tires the hand.
Finish & felt
The felt under each piece protects the chess board and ensures smooth, silent gliding. Check that the wood is impeccably smoothed, with no splinters or tool marks.
Wood species
Natural boxwood and ebonised boxwood for tradition, palisander and rosewood for higher ranges, genuine ebony for collector's sets. Each wood has its own visual and tactile signature.
Extra queen (optional)
Complete sets often include a second queen of each colour, useful for pawn promotions. A detail appreciated by tournament players.
Our Staunton Ranges by Budget
Starter
Under €200
Staunton sets in beech or boxwood, single weighting. Ideal for beginners or clubs equipping several tables.
Club & Tournament
€200 – 500
Ebonised boxwood, rosewood, double or triple weighting, premium felt. Compliant with FIDE standards for competition.
High-End
€500 – 1,000
Rosewood, Zagreb boxwood, hand-carved knights, extra queen included. The pleasure of play at its peak.
Collection
Over €1,000
Genuine ebony, reproductions of historic Stauntons, limited editions. Pieces that pass down through generations.
Staunton vs Other Designs
Staunton vs Régence
The French Régence is more slender and ornate, with a rococo style. More decorative but less practical for play: hard to tell pieces apart mid-game. Staunton wins on readability.
Staunton vs themed sets
Themed chess sets (Roman, medieval, mythological) are beautiful for decoration but not approved for tournaments. To play seriously, a Staunton chess set remains essential.
Caring for Your Staunton Set
Regular cleaning
A soft, dry cloth is enough for everyday care. Once a year, apply a thin coat of linseed oil or beeswax to nourish the wood and revive its tones. Never use chemical products.
Storage
Store the pieces in their original box, away from direct light and humidity. Chess boards with built-in storage are ideal for preserving your set over the long term.
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