OfficialStaunton Reviews 462

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 79 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the high quality of the products, particularly the chess sets and pieces, noting their beautiful craftsmanship, weight, and attention to detail. Many people also highlight the excellent service, fast delivery, and efficient handling of orders, often mentioning quick replacements for damaged items and helpful communication. However, some customers also noted occasional issues with packaging, such as boxes being ripped or too small, and a few instances of minor flaws in the product's finish, like improperly cut pieces or chipped veneer. A small number of people also experienced discrepancies with product descriptions, such as incorrect board sizes or flimsier materials than expected, and some found the delivery fees for returns to be high.

What people talk about most

Product

Reviewers mention positive feedback about the product, consistently praising the high quality, craftsmanship,... See more

Quality

People report positive experiences with quality. Many customers praise the high quality and craftsmanship of... See more

Delivery service

Users describe positive interactions with delivery services. Many customers praise the impressive speed and... See more

Service

Consumers find service to be positive. Many reviewers praise the excellent and professional service, noting... See more

Order

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of order. Customers found the ordering process easy and efficient, with... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The Isle of Lewis chess set and Board has been excellently received as a Christmas present. One slight flaw in one of the pieces, and a call to Official Staunton, resulted in a replacement piece being... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I’ve got to give this company a good review. I ordered an algebraic chess board and chess pieces which arrived very quickly after placing the order. One of the white knights was damaged and I asked t... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I recently bought a British Special set from Staunton and must say my experience has been phenomenal! There was some damage to a few pieces in transit and some minor flaws around the sharp edges of s... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Official staunton's Winchester chess set is a beautifully made chess set. The pieces are sizeable, well weighted and detailed - especially the knights - and are of very high quality. The chess set I o... See more


Company details

  1. Handicraft

Written by the company

Chess sets to buy at the Official Staunton chess store offering a huge selection to choose from with free UK mainland courier shipping. UK's finest chess shop


Contact info

4.7

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

462 reviews

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1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 40% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant customer service and quality

I recently bought a British Special set from Staunton and must say my experience has been phenomenal! There was some damage to a few pieces in transit and some minor flaws around the sharp edges of some of the pieces. I contacted their sales team with a few photos and within a few hours they had informed me of dispatch and the next day I had the replacements at my door. Incredible customer service and the pieces are of the highest quality. Could not be happier.

3 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Chess Lovers please support this business!

What a great company to interact with. There was a great selection of products available for all. Purchased a beginner set to introduce my daughter to chess. Delivery and service from Royal Mail left a lot to be desired, but Official Staunton were amazing. The set I ordered was not in keeping of my expectations so I contacted the team via email. Made contact with a delightful colleague, Carl, who clearly laid out all of my options and even sent me close up photos and links of alternative sets to choose from. A couple of days later, the new set arrived and will be enjoying it with my daughter. I certainly know where I will turn to in order purchase my next upgrade once she captures the chess bug. Thank you Official Staunton, you certainly have a new customer for life.

28 October 2025
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

From your advertising I had assumed…

From your advertising I had assumed that the board was handmade in UK not an off the shelf purchase from Europe.

28 October 2025
OfficialStaunton logo

Reply from OfficialStaunton

Hi Judith,
Thank you for your feedback. To clarify, we’ve never stated that our chessboards or sets are made in the UK. If any of our products were UK-made, this would be clearly mentioned in the product description. The UK hasn’t produced chess sets or boards on any significant scale for many years — most are now manufactured in Europe or Asia. Our descriptions are always accurate and transparent about this.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I was sent a chessboard carry case that…

I was sent a chessboard carry case that was several sizes too large. I called the company several times but it was always on answerphone. I left a message with my number but have had no response. I do not want to ‘join’ Etsy to contact, I just want to contact Official Staunton to exchange this item for one that fits, so that I can give it to my grandson for his 21st birthday…now late, sadly.

26 October 2025
OfficialStaunton logo

Reply from OfficialStaunton

Just to clarify — Etsy, like Amazon, uses its own internal messaging system for all buyer–seller communication. This means correspondence must go through Etsy Messages rather than direct email, as this keeps everything linked to your order and covered by Etsy’s protection policies.

It appears the incorrect size was selected when the order was placed. Of course, we’re still happy to arrange an exchange for the correct size. Please send us a message through your Etsy order page (under “Purchases & reviews” → “Help with order” → “Message seller”), confirming the chessboard size you have, and we’ll guide you through the exchange process.

We’ll make sure this is resolved smoothly for you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Perfect!

Perfect! The set I ordered was everything I’d hoped for. Some pieces were sold out when I first ordered so there was a small delay. However, it was handled very professionally and the pieces were swiftly restocked. The set arrived in good time after I was informed of the restock.
Excellent!!

9 October 2025
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I’d wanted on of those sets with the drawers at each end and Parker pieces. The set is fine except the board is the wrong way round, with the black square right. I complained, but Staunton said it made no difference to the game and that some sets come opening horizontally and other vertically. Really! Be warned.

8 October 2025
OfficialStaunton logo

Reply from OfficialStaunton

Thank you for your feedback. We’re pleased you were happy with the quality of the set overall. The board orientation is clearly described on our website, and we also sent two emails offering an exchange should you have preferred a different layout. As we didn’t receive a response, we assumed you were satisfied. We’re still happy to exchange the board if you’d like to arrange that. We always aim to communicate clearly and resolve any issues quickly and fairly for our customers

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The chess board is not the size…

The chess board is not the size advertised!

27 April 2025
OfficialStaunton logo

Reply from OfficialStaunton

Hi there — thanks for your review. We’ve checked your order from over two months ago and our records show the board supplied matches the size listed on the product page. A common mix-up is between overall board size and the playing area/square size, so if you believe there’s a discrepancy, please email a quick photo with a tape measure on the board and we’ll investigate right away. We didn’t receive any message from you at the time, but we’re still happy to help now and can arrange an exchange if the item differs from the advertised specification

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Replaced my rook for free, as a surprise

I saved up to buy a fancy chess set from here and writhing a fortnight, my dog had chewed up one of the rooks that had fallen to the floor. (She thinks things on the floor are fair game. We’re working on it.)

I searched everywhere that sells individual replacement pieces and couldn’t find one anywhere. I was so upset. And then I reached out to The English Chess Company/Official Staunton chat, and without even letting me know they were doing it, they put a spare in the post for me. It absolutely made my life. Really, really lovely and great service. Highly recommend!

25 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A good company to do business with!

I’ve got to give this company a good review. I ordered an algebraic chess board and chess pieces which arrived very quickly after placing the order. One of the white knights was damaged and I asked them to replace it which they did immediately by sending me a complete set of black and white pieces along with extra queens. Far more than I was expecting. Definitely the sort of company I’m happy to do business with.

25 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Great chess set: One minor niggle

Great chess set [Classic Staunton Chess Set – 3" Ebonised Pieces & 50cm Anegre Board], reasonable price £125(?), arrived quickly. Came, unexpectedly, with spare queens.

One minor niggle: the case for the pieces was missing - sorted out quickly after an irritating email exchange. (They replied with an incomprehensible, terse message, but after "clarification" sent another message saying "We will send the vinyl box assp". It arrived in 3 days.)

3 August 2025
Unprompted review

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