"All LEGO Chess Sets Ever Launched"

LEGO patented its signature "binding brick" in 1958. However, it wasn't until nearly 50 years later, in 2005, that LEGO released its first official chess build. This surprising fact came to light during my research for this article. As someone who spends a considerable amount of time immersed in the world of LEGO, this delay intrigued me. LEGO Chess seemed like an obvious choice to bridge the gap between the LEGO universe and the timeless game of chess, offering a unique and marketable product to a broad audience.

In 2005, LEGO's target demographic was predominantly children, with little focus on adult fans. It wasn't until 2007 that the company began to cater more to adults. The concept of integrating LEGO into everyday lifestyle and non-brick environments didn't gain significant traction until around 2020. What is now commonplace in 2025 was groundbreaking when the first LEGO chess set debuted in 2005, and it was virtually unheard of in the preceding decades when LEGO builds were mostly miniature playsets.

Here's a detailed history of every LEGO Chess Set released, totaling 12 sets, including the only one currently available for purchase in 2025. For those interested in other chess options, you can also explore our guide to the best overall chess sets.

All LEGO Chess Sets In Order of Release

1. Knights’ Kingdom Chess Set - Retired

Set: #851499
Release Date: 2005
Piece Count: 80
Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
The inaugural LEGO chess set was part of the Knight's Kingdom, an extension of the LEGO Castle brand. It featured two armies: the Shadow Knights, led by the evil sorcerer Vladek, and the Kingdom of Morcia, led by King Matthias. This set included 24 minifigures adorned with detailed armor and stylized shields.

2. Vikings Chess Set - Retired

Set: #851861
Release Date: 2006
Piece Count: 60
Dimensions: 12.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
Similar to the previous year's Knight's Kingdom set, the Vikings set also included 24 minifigures, this time donning archetypal horned Viking helmets and wielding spears and axes.

3. Castle Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852001
Release Date: 2007
Piece Count: 162
Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
This Castle-themed set featured a more generic design than its Knight's Kingdom counterpart. It showcased an army of crown knights battling an undead army of skeletons. The highlight was the Grim Reaper bishops, equipped with massive scythes.

4. Giant Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852293
Release Date: 2008
Piece Count: 2292
Dimensions: 22.5 inches long, 25 inches wide
Price: $199.99
The largest and most ornate LEGO chess set ever designed, the Giant Chess Set was exceptional in every aspect. The board measured two feet on each side and included four miniature builds representing the skeleton, troll, dwarf, and castle realms. The board was smooth rather than studded, enhancing its elegance, and the pieces were intricately designed, with wizards as bishops, knights on horseback, and fortified siege towers as rooks.

5. Pirates Chess Set - Retired

Set: #852751
Release Date: 2009
Piece Count: 126
Dimensions: 12.5 inches long, 12.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
The first pirates-themed set pitted a Royal Navy against a motley crew of pirates. This set was notable for its diversity; while the naval officer pawns were uniform, each pirate pawn had a unique costume and accessory. The pirate knight, a curly-tailed monkey armed with a knife, added a touch of chaos.

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

Set: #852676
Release Date: 2009
Piece Count: 81
Dimensions: 10 inches long, 6.5 inches wide
Price: $24.99
A compact, travel-friendly set that allowed players to enjoy nine different classic board games: Ludo, Chess, Checkers, Solitaire, Backgammon, Fireman Hoses and Ladders, and three different cards for Travel Bingo.

7. Kingdoms Chess Set - Retired

Set: #853373
Release Date: 2012
Piece Count: 201
Dimensions: 13.5 inches long, 13.5 inches wide
Price: $49.99
This Castle-themed set depicted a conflict between the Green Dragon army and the Red Lion army. The minifigures were detailed and full of character, with a standout being the Red Lion knight, a Jester with a big, cartoonish smile. The board was mounted on a unique baseplate with bastions in each corner. Notably, this was the first LEGO chess set without a carry case or separate storage, designed more for display than for travel.

8. Pirates Chess Set #2 - Retired

Set: #40158
Release Date: 2015
Piece Count: 776
Dimensions: 21 inches long, 11 inches wide
Price: $59.99
The second Pirates-themed set featured an outdoor beach theme, with one side resembling sand and the other ocean. It was the first LEGO chess board to feature smooth squares with single studs in the center, improving both aesthetics and functionality.

9. Iconic Chess Set - Retired

Set: #40174
Release Date: 2017
Piece Count: 1450
Dimensions: 10 inches long, 10 inches wide
Price: $59.99
This set marked the first time LEGO released a chess set without gimmicks or minifigures, featuring traditional, blocky pieces and storage space beneath the board. It remained available for seven years before being retired at the end of 2022.

10. Steampunk Mini Chess - Retired

Set: #BL19013
Release Date: 2019
Piece Count: 372
Dimensions: 4 inches long, 4 inches wide
Price: $37.99
Designed by user CorvusA, this miniature set was a collaboration between LEGO and the LEGO fansite BrickLink. It was part of the BrickLink AFOL (Adult Fans of LEGO) Designer Program, which launched 13 fan-designed sets in 2019.

11. Hogwarts Wizard’s Chess Set - Retired

Set: #76392
Release Date: 2021
Piece Count: 876
Dimensions: 10.5 inches long, 10.5 inches wide
Price: $59.99
This set recreated the iconic scene from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," where Harry, Hermione, and Ron face the chess trial, with Ron sacrificing himself to checkmate the King. The LEGO Harry Potter set included three minifigures to represent the "Trio."

LEGO Hogwarts Wizard's Chess Set

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12. Traditional Chess Set

Set: #40719
Release Date: 2024
Piece Count: 743
Dimensions: 12 inches long, 12 inches wide
Price: $74.99
We reviewed LEGO's most recent chess set upon its launch in 2024, and it's the only one currently available in stores. Its dark brown and beige squares evoke the look of polished wood, adding a classic flair. This set is simple, appealing, and functional, a departure from the more elaborate but less practical designs of the past.

LEGO Traditional Chess Set

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Where to Buy Retired LEGO Chess Sets

Finding a retired LEGO set can be challenging, as most of the LEGO chess sets listed here are no longer in production. For retired sets, you'll need to turn to third-party sellers. Amazon may have some at a premium price, but your best options are typically eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. For more information on where to shop, check out our guide to the best places to buy LEGO sets.