LEGO's iconic "binding brick" received its patent in 1958. However, a nearly 50-year wait followed before the release of the first official LEGO chess set in 2005—a fact that even surprised seasoned LEGO enthusiasts. The delay is intriguing, especially considering the seemingly obvious marketability of LEGO chess to a broad audience. The answer lies in LEGO's target demographic at the time: primarily children. Adult-focused marketing didn't become widespread until 2007, and the concept of integrating LEGO builds into broader lifestyle branding only truly took off around 2020. What's commonplace in 2025 was revolutionary in 2005, and unimaginable in the preceding decades when LEGO builds largely consisted of miniature playsets rather than realistic representations.
Below is a chronological history of every LEGO Chess Set ever released—twelve in total, with only one currently available for purchase in 2025. For additional options, 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, part of the Knights' Kingdom expansion within the LEGO Castle brand. It featured two armies: the Shadow Knights, led by Vladek, and the Kingdom of Morcia, under King Matthias. The set included 24 minifigures with detailed 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 its Knights' Kingdom predecessor, this set also boasted 24 minifigures, this time clad in iconic horned Viking helmets and armed with 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
Another Castle-themed offering, this set featured a more generic conflict between crown knights and an undead skeleton army. A standout element was the Grim Reaper bishops, equipped with imposing 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
To this day, this remains LEGO's largest and most elaborate chess set. The two-foot square board included four miniature builds representing the skeleton, troll, dwarf, and castle realms. The smooth, non-studded board offered an elegant aesthetic, and the pieces themselves were exceptionally detailed, with wizards as bishops, knights on horseback, and rooks depicted as fortified siege towers.
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
This set pitted the Royal Navy against a diverse pirate crew. The standout feature was the variety among the pirate pawns, each with unique costumes and accessories, culminating in a delightfully chaotic pirate knight—a curly-tailed monkey wielding a knife.
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 and travel-friendly set offering nine classic 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 showcased a Green Dragon army versus a Red Lion army. The detailed minifigures were a highlight, particularly the Red Lion knight, a jester with a large, expressive smile. The board was mounted on a unique baseplate with corner bastions, reflecting a shift towards display over portability.
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 pirate-themed chess set featured a beach setting, with sand and ocean details. This set introduced a smooth board with centered studs, enhancing both aesthetics 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
A departure from themed sets, this offered a classic chess set with traditional pieces and integrated storage. Its longevity is noteworthy, remaining on shelves for seven years before retirement in 2022.
10. Steampunk Mini Chess - Retired
Set: #BL19013
Release Date: 2019
Piece Count: 372
Dimensions: 4 inches long, 4 inches wide
Price: $37.99
A collaboration between LEGO and BrickLink, designed by user CorvusA, as part of the BrickLink AFOL Designer Program.
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 chess scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, including minifigures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
12. Traditional Chess Set
Set: #40719
Release Date: 2024
Piece Count: 743
Dimensions: 12 inches long, 12 inches wide
Price: $74.99
Reviewed upon its 2024 launch, this is the only currently available LEGO chess set. Its dark brown and beige squares evoke polished wood, offering a classic and functional design.
Where to Buy Retired LEGO Chess Sets
Locating and purchasing retired LEGO sets often requires exploring third-party sellers like eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Amazon (though often at a premium). Our guide to the best places to buy LEGO sets offers further details.
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