"Complete History of LEGO Chess Sets Released"

LEGO patented its iconic "binding brick" in 1958, but it wasn't until 2005 that the company ventured into the world of chess with its first official LEGO Chess build. This might come as a surprise to many LEGO enthusiasts, as the concept of a LEGO Chess set seems almost obvious now. However, LEGO's focus in 2005 was primarily on children, and it wasn't until 2007 that the company began catering more to adults. The integration of LEGO into broader lifestyle branding, where brick-built items are seamlessly incorporated into non-LEGO living spaces, didn't truly gain traction until around 2020.

What we now consider standard in 2025 was groundbreaking when the first LEGO Chess set was released in 2005. Prior to this, LEGO builds were mainly focused on miniature playsets rather than real-life representations.

Below is a comprehensive history of all LEGO Chess Sets, listed in order of release. There have been 12 sets in total, with only one currently available for purchase in 2025. For more options, check out our guide to the best overall chess sets.

All LEGO Chess Sets In Order of Release

1. Knights’ Kingdom Chess Set - Retired

Set: #851499Release Date: 2005Piece Count: 80Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 12.5 inches widePrice: $49.99

The inaugural LEGO chess set was part of the Knights' Kingdom series, an extension of the LEGO Castle brand. It featured two opposing armies: the Shadow Knights, led by the malevolent sorcerer Vladek, and the Kingdom of Morcia, commanded by King Matthias. The set included 24 intricately designed minifigures with detailed armor and stylized shields.

2. Vikings Chess Set - Retired

Set: #851861Release Date: 2006Piece Count: 60Dimensions: 12.5 inches long, 12.5 inches widePrice: $49.99

Similar to the previous year's Knights' Kingdom set, the Vikings Chess Set featured 24 minifigures adorned with classic horned Viking helmets and armed with spears and axes.

3. Castle Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852001Release Date: 2007Piece Count: 162Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 12.5 inches widePrice: $49.99

This Castle-themed set pitted an army of crown knights against an undead skeleton army. A standout feature was the Grim Reaper bishops, equipped with massive scythes.

4. Giant Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852293Release Date: 2008Piece Count: 2292Dimensions: 22.5 inches long, 25 inches widePrice: $199.99

The Giant Chess Set remains the largest and most elaborate LEGO chess set ever produced. It featured a two-foot-square board and included four miniature builds representing the skeleton, troll, dwarf, and castle realms. The board had a smooth, elegant finish, and the pieces were the most detailed yet, with wizards as bishops, minifigures on horseback as knights, and fortified siege towers as rooks.

5. Pirates Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852751Release Date: 2009Piece Count: 126Dimensions: 12.5 inches long, 12.5 inches widePrice: $49.99

This set featured a Royal Navy versus a pirate crew. The pirate pawns were uniquely varied, and the pirate knight was a curly-tailed monkey wielding a knife, adding a playful twist to the set.

6. Multi Game Pack 9-in-1 - Retired

Set: #852676Release Date: 2009Piece Count: 81Dimensions: 10 inches long, 6.5 inches widePrice: $24.99

A compact, travel-friendly set, it included pieces for nine different classic board games: Ludo, Chess, Checkers, Solitaire, Backgammon, Fireman Hoses and Ladders, and three variations of Travel Bingo.

7. Kingdoms Chess Set - Retired

Set: #853373Release Date: 2012Piece Count: 201Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 13.5 inches widePrice: $49.99

This Castle-themed set depicted a battle between the Green Dragon and Red Lion armies. The minifigures were detailed, with a highlight being the Red Lion knight, portrayed as a jester with a big smile. The board was mounted on a unique baseplate with corner bastions, designed more for display than for travel.

8. Pirates Chess Set #2 - Retired

Set: #40158Release Date: 2015Piece Count: 776Dimensions: 21 inches long, 11 inches widePrice: $59.99

This second Pirates-themed set had an outdoor beach theme, with one side resembling sand and the other ocean. It introduced smooth squares with single studs in the center, enhancing both the aesthetics and functionality.

9. Iconic Chess Set - Retired

Set: #40174Release Date: 2017Piece Count: 1450Dimensions: 10 inches long, 10 inches widePrice: $59.99

The Iconic Chess Set was LEGO's first traditional chess set without any thematic elements or minifigures. It featured classic, blocky pieces and storage space beneath the board. It remained in production for seven years before being retired in 2022.

10. Steampunk Mini Chess - Retired

Set: #BL19013Release Date: 2019Piece Count: 372Dimensions: 4 inches long, 4 inches widePrice: $37.99

Designed by LEGO fan CorvusA, this tiny set was part of the BrickLink AFOL Designer Program, which launched 13 fan-designed sets in 2019.

11. Hogwarts Wizard’s Chess Set - Retired

Set: #76392Release Date: 2021Piece Count: 876Dimensions: 10.5 inches long, 10.5 inches widePrice: $59.99

This set recreated the iconic chess scene from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," including three minifigures representing Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

### LEGO Hogwarts Wizard's Chess Set

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12. Traditional Chess Set

Set: #40719Release Date: 2024Piece Count: 743Dimensions: 12 inches long, 12 inches widePrice: $74.99

LEGO's latest chess set, which we reviewed upon its 2024 release, features a classic design with dark brown and beige squares reminiscent of polished wood. It's simple, appealing, and functional, a departure from the more extravagant sets of the past.

### LEGO Traditional Chess Set

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Where to Buy Retired LEGO Chess Sets

Finding retired LEGO Chess sets can be challenging since most of the sets listed here are no longer in production. For those interested in purchasing retired sets, consider third-party marketplaces like Amazon, where prices may be higher, or platforms like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. For more information on where to shop, see our guide to the best places to buy LEGO sets.