"All LEGO Chess Sets Released: A Comprehensive Overview"

LEGO patented its iconic "binding brick" in 1958, yet it took nearly half a century for the company to release its first official chess set in 2005. As an avid LEGO enthusiast, I found this fact astonishing. Why the delay? A LEGO Chess set seemed like a natural fit—an accessible and marketable product that could introduce the joy of LEGO to a broader audience.

However, in 2005, LEGO's target demographic was predominantly children. The company didn't start catering to adult fans until 2007, and the concept of LEGO lifestyle branding, which involves integrating brick-built items into everyday living spaces, didn't gain significant traction until around 2020. What we now consider standard in 2025 was groundbreaking when the first LEGO chess set was introduced in 2005. Prior to that, LEGO focused mostly on creating miniature playsets rather than realistic depictions.

Below is a detailed history of every LEGO Chess Set, listed in order of their release. There have been 12 sets in total, with only one currently available for purchase in 2025. For more chess set options, be sure to 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: #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 Knight's Kingdom series, an extension of the LEGO Castle theme. It featured two opposing forces: the Shadow Knights, commanded by the evil sorcerer Vladek, and the Kingdom of Morcia, led by King Matthias. The set came with 24 intricately designed minifigures, complete 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
This set mirrored the previous year's Knight's Kingdom set but introduced a Viking theme. It included 24 minifigures adorned with iconic horned helmets and equipped 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 set, this one was more generic, featuring a clash between crown knights and an army of skeletons. The standout feature was the Grim Reaper bishops, wielding 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
This set was the largest and most elaborate LEGO chess set ever produced. It featured a smooth, two-foot-square board and included four miniature builds representing different realms. The pieces were intricately designed, with wizards as bishops, minifigures on horseback as knights, 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 battle between the Royal Navy and a crew of pirates. The set's charm lay in its diversity; while the naval officer pawns were uniform, each pirate pawn had a unique costume and accessory. The pirate knight was humorously represented by 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
This compact set was designed for travel and allowed players to enjoy nine different classic board games, including Chess, Checkers, and Backgammon.

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 and Red Lion armies. The detailed minifigures, including a jester knight with a big smile, were a highlight. Unlike previous sets, it lacked a carry case and storage compartment, marking an early shift towards display-oriented sets.

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 introduced an outdoor beach theme, complete with sand and ocean elements. It featured smooth squares with single studs at the center, a more aesthetically pleasing and functional design.

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 was a straightforward, no-frills chess set with traditional, blocky pieces and built-in storage beneath the board. It remained on shelves 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
This tiny set was a collaboration between LEGO and the LEGO fansite BrickLink. Designed by user CorvusA, it was part of the BrickLink AFOL 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 memorable scene from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," featuring the chess trial where Ron sacrifices himself to checkmate the King. It included three minifigures representing Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

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
Our review of LEGO's latest chess set, launched in 2024, highlighted its classic appeal with dark brown and beige squares that mimic polished wood. This set is simple, attractive, and functional, a departure from the more extravagant designs of past years.

LEGO Traditional Chess Set

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Where to Buy Retired LEGO Chess Sets

Discovering a beloved 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. If you're interested in purchasing a retired set, you'll need to explore third-party sellers. While Amazon may occasionally offer these sets at a higher price, your best options are likely to be platforms like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.

For more information on where to find LEGO sets, see our guide to the best places to buy LEGO sets.