French Grandmaster Staunton Chess Pieces – Antiqued Boxwood
These World Chess pieces are designed for players and collectors who want grandmaster chess pieces with strong tournament character and a more traditional European look. Modelled after club-sized chess pieces popular in mid-20th-century Europe, this set combines broad, stable bases with a well-proportioned Staunton silhouette that feels reliable in serious play.
Design Heritage
The French Grandmaster Staunton design reflects the kind of European club pieces that became widely used in tournament halls during the middle of the twentieth century. That heritage matters because it gives the set a practical identity: the shapes are clear, the proportions are balanced, and the pieces are made to be comfortable in hand rather than overly decorative.
The wide bases and smooth profile help the set feel stable and pleasant to use over long games. This gives the pieces the kind of everyday authority buyers often look for when choosing tournament-ready chess pieces with a more classical over-the-board presence.
Piece Specifications
This 34-piece set is sized for regular tournament and casual play, with a 4.1-inch king and proportions that work best on boards with 50-55 mm squares. The included dimensions make the set easy to pair with boards in a standard club or competition range, including options such as the official World Chess pieces category for buyers comparing more formal championship-style designs.
| French Grandmaster Staunton Chess Pieces Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Piece | Height | Base |
| King | 4.1" (104 mm) | 1.7" (43 mm) |
| Queen | 3.5" (89 mm) | 1.7" (43 mm) |
| Bishop | 3.1" (78 mm) | 1.4" (36 mm) |
| Knight | 2.9" (74 mm) | 1.4" (36 mm) |
| Rook | 2.4" (62 mm) | 1.4" (36 mm) |
| Pawn | 1.9" (49 mm) | 1.3" (32 mm) |
| Total pieces | 34 | |
| Recommended square size | 1.96" to 2.16" (50 mm to 55 mm) | |
| Total weight | 2.7 lbs (1200 g) | |
Material: Antiqued Boxwood
One of the strongest distinguishing details of this set is its wood combination of antiqued boxwood for the light side and ebonised boxwood for the dark side. That makes it especially relevant for buyers searching for boxwood chess pieces with a more traditional, slightly aged visual finish rather than a flat modern contrast.
The antiqued boxwood treatment gives the light army extra warmth and character, which helps the set feel more mature and collector-friendly while still remaining practical for everyday play. This material choice also supports the product’s positioning as a reliable French Staunton option rather than a purely decorative novelty set.
Ideal For
These French Grandmaster Staunton chess pieces suit buyers who want a traditional wooden set with practical tournament proportions and a more mature, collector-friendly finish. They are especially well matched to the following use cases:
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Club and tournament play: the broad bases, balanced proportions, and clear Staunton silhouettes make the pieces comfortable to handle over long games.
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Home players upgrading from entry-level sets: this set offers a more substantial wooden feel without moving into overly ornate luxury territory.
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Collectors of classic European styles: the French-inspired heritage and antiqued boxwood finish give the set stronger visual character than standard modern club pieces.
- Buyers building a traditional wooden collection: the combination of ebonised and antiqued boxwood makes the set easy to pair with standard tournament boards and other classic chess equipment.
Keep the chessboard dry at all times, and avoid any form of exposure to water.
Water damages the board.
Keep the board away from extreme temperatures,humidity, an air conditioner, and a fan.
Humidity makes your board expand and contract.
Keep the chessboard away from direct sunlight or harsh artificial light to avoid damages.
If the chessboard gets scratched,clean the smudges with a little damp piece of fabric.
If the chessboard feels sticky, wipe with a piece of cloth.
Dust regularly using a dry, soft piece of fabric.
Use beeswax or 3M polish once a monthfor the shine of the board as the boards have HV melamine lacquer coating on them.
Keep chess pieces away from humidity and heat.
It can cause cracking, discolouration, and warping of chess pieces.
Do not use 3M polish for chessmen.
Once your order is placed, our customer care team will follow up with an email confirmation. Please allow two business days to process the order. Additional time is needed during the holidays and weekends.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
Shipping may take up to 10 business days towards all international destinations. Our team provides tracking number as soon as the goods are dispatched and will monitor the delivery process. For any questions or concerns about delivery please contact shop@worldchess.com
SHIPPING TO THE UNITED STATES
US orders are shipped directly from our US warehouse, ensuring faster delivery with no additional duties, import taxes, or hidden fees at delivery.
CUSTOMS DUTY AND CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FEE
WORLD CHESS is not responsible for the customs duty and the customs clearance fee. You may be charged custom fees for something purchased online. For more information please contact your local customs office. If the customer refuses to pay customs, he/she will be charged for delivery for return.