"All LEGO Chess Sets Released Over Time"

In 1958, LEGO patented its iconic "binding brick," a cornerstone of its product line. However, it wasn't until nearly half a century later, in 2005, that LEGO launched its first official chess set. This fact intrigued me as I delved deeper into LEGO's history for this article. As an avid LEGO enthusiast, I was surprised by the delay. A LEGO Chess set seemed like an obvious choice—an accessible and marketable way to expand the appeal of LEGO bricks to a broader audience.

In 2005, LEGO's primary focus was on children, and the company had yet to fully embrace its adult fan base, which didn't start until 2007. Moreover, the concept of integrating LEGO into everyday adult life and home decor didn't gain traction until around 2020. What we now consider commonplace in 2025 was groundbreaking when the first LEGO chess set was released in 2005, and unthinkable in the decades before, when LEGO sets were mostly miniature playsets rather than representations of real-world objects.

Here is a detailed and chronological list of every LEGO Chess Set released to date. There are 12 sets in total, with only one still available for purchase in 2025. For those interested in exploring more options, you can also refer to our guide on the best 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 opposing forces: the Shadow Knights, led by the evil sorcerer Vladek, and the Kingdom of Morcia, commanded by King Matthias. The set included 24 minifigures with intricately designed armor and distinctive 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 Knights' Kingdom set, the Vikings set also featured 24 minifigures, this time adorned with iconic 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 was more generic than its Knight's Kingdom predecessor, pitting an army of crown knights against an undead skeletal force. A standout feature was the Grim Reaper bishops, complete 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 to date, the Giant Chess Set was significantly more ambitious. The board spanned two feet in both length and width and included four mini builds representing the skeleton, troll, dwarf, and castle realms. The smooth board added elegance, and the pieces were exceptionally detailed, featuring 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 featured a clash between the Royal Navy and a band of pirates. The set's diversity was its strength, with each naval officer pawn being similar, while each pirate pawn boasted unique costumes and accessories. 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

Designed for travel, this compact set enabled the play of nine classic board games: Ludo, Chess, Checkers, Solitaire, Backgammon, Fireman Hoses and Ladders, and three variations of 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 battle between the Green Dragon army and the Red Lion army. The minifigures were richly detailed, with the Red Lion knight—a jester with a broad, cartoonish smile—standing out. The board rested on a unique baseplate with bastions in each corner, marking the first LEGO chess set without a carry case or separate storage for pieces, designed more for display than for play.

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 embraced an outdoor beach theme, with one side resembling sand and the other ocean. This set introduced smooth squares with single studs at their centers, enhancing both the aesthetic and functionality compared to previous baseplate boards.

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 any thematic gimmicks or minifigures—just a straightforward chess set with blocky, traditional pieces and storage beneath the board. It remained in production 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 tiny set was part of the BrickLink AFOL Designer Program, which launched 13 fan-designed sets in 2019. This collaboration between LEGO and the LEGO fansite BrickLink showcased the creativity of the LEGO community.

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 memorable scene from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," where Harry, Hermione, and Ron faced the chess challenge, and Ron sacrificed himself to checkmate the King. The LEGO Harry Potter set included three minifigures representing 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 latest chess set upon its 2024 launch, and it remains the only one currently available. Its dark brown and beige squares evoke the look of polished wood, adding a classic touch. It's simple, appealing, and functional—a departure from the more elaborate yet less practical designs of the past.

LEGO Traditional Chess Set

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Where to Buy Retired LEGO Chess Sets

Discovering a cool LEGO set from the past often means dealing with the challenge of it being retired. Most of the LEGO chess sets listed here fall into that category. To acquire these sets, you'll need to look at third-party sellers. While Amazon may occasionally offer retired sets at a premium, your best options are eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.

For more information on where to purchase LEGO sets, check out our guide on the best places to buy LEGO sets.