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The Best Staunton Chess Sets: Selection and Size Guide
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The Staunton style has been the world standard for chess pieces since 1849. Recognised by FIDE and adopted in all international tournaments, it is the design serious players choose. Here is our selection of the best Staunton chess sets and a guide to help you choose yours.
What is the Staunton style?
The Staunton style was designed in 1849 by the Englishman Nathaniel Cooke and endorsed by champion Howard Staunton. Before that date, every country used different models, often confusing and hard to tell apart. The genius of the Staunton lies in its instant readability: each piece is immediately identifiable by its silhouette.
| Piece | Staunton symbol | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| King | Cross on top | The tallest piece in the set (85-110 mm) |
| Queen | Serrated crown | Slightly shorter than the king, wider base |
| Bishop | Mitre (bishop’s hat) | Characteristic slit on 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 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 for elite tournaments. Ebony or ebonised boxwood? See our guide which wood to choose for a chess board and pieces. View chess pieces in fine wood.
💎 Rosewood & Boxwood
Rosewood offers spectacular reddish-brown tones with unique grain patterns. More affordable than ebony, it is the best value for money for a quality Staunton set.
✨ Sheesham & Boxwood
Sheesham (Indian rosewood) is the accessible alternative to rosewood. Warm tones, good density, careful finishing. Ideal for a first Staunton set in fine wood.
How do you choose the size of your Staunton set?
| King | Chess board | Use | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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+ |
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 as a family while still meeting club standards. Pair your Staunton pieces with a chess board in fine wood in matching tones for a harmonious set. To choose the exact size suited to your pieces, see our guide to official chess board dimensions.
To explore the history of the Staunton design and its evolution since 1849, see our pillar article on the history of chess. And to learn how to set up the pieces on the chess board correctly, follow our step-by-step visual guide.
Discover our Staunton Chess Sets
Pieces in fine wood in the official Staunton format. Lead-weighted, felted, satin varnish finish.
Fine wood Complete sets
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