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Mini LEGO Chess Set with Drawers

When I was a child my dad had this cute little chess set. It was about 4 x 4 inches, and made of wood. It had 2 drawers (one on each side) to hold the chess pieces.

The chess pieces themselves were tiny, and also carved of wood. They had a peg on the bottom that fit in a hole at the center of each square on the chess board. Otherwise it would have been easy to knock them over. It was a compact little set, great for travel.

My dad taught me how to play chess when I was about 6. Although I have learned the rules I never really warmed up to the game, or got good at it. I found it too slow and intellectual. Not my style.

But I did like the little chess set. Unfortunately I don’t know what happened to it through all the moves, but I still have a clear picture of how it looked like. So, when I got back to building with LEGO after my “dark ages”, I decided to build a tiny LEGO chess set. I tried to copy the simplicity and practicality of the chess set my father had, and also its size. I think it turned out nice.

Since I have gotten several requests from family, friends and other LEGO fans for their own mini LEGO chess set, I have created a couple of styles and several color options. They make great gift items for both chess fans and LEGO fans. If you would like to have your own mini LEGO chess set, they are available in my Bricklink store: Sunshine State Bricks.

All LEGO parts for these LEGO chess sets are shiny new. There is one modified part for the pawns’ head, (made from LEGO tow-balls) that is included with each set. However if you want a more “purist” version just regular round plates work well also. I just liked the more authentic look of the round heads.

I have also printed out full color instructions from LEGO Digital Designer (LDD), so you can put the mini LEGO chess set together yourself.

And if you already have the parts to build this little LEGO chess set, and just need a bit of direction for how to make one, just ask.

{ 250 comments… add one }
  • Bhanu June 3, 2015, 11:41 AM

    Hi,
    You built awesome set! Could you, please, send me instructions?

    Thanks in advance,

  • Robyn June 13, 2015, 11:38 AM

    Hi, I’m not sure if you are still sending them out, but if you are able, can you please send me the instructions for the chess set? I love it!

  • Adrianto June 14, 2015, 3:39 AM

    Hi, Your work is really impressive. is it possible to share the instruction ?

    many thanks,

    Adrianto

  • Robiswright July 4, 2015, 9:45 AM

    Awesome build. Would love a copy of the instructions if its not to much trouble. Thanks

  • chantal mcfeely August 22, 2015, 1:57 PM

    Hi, I love your chess set but particularly your pieces.My son(9 years old) would like to build his own simple basic chess pieces and would really appreciate a copy of your instructions. Thank you
    Chantal

    • admin August 23, 2015, 4:17 PM

      Chnatal, the chess-pieces themselves are very simple. They are just standard cones and small plates. The only rare pieces are for the Kings and Queens, and those are hard to find. However they are available on BrickLink, or you could substitute something else for them.

      • Charlie April 17, 2016, 3:12 PM

        Could you give me a list of the pieces needed?

  • Ryan October 3, 2015, 3:18 PM

    Love the set, it’s positively adorable!

    If you’re still sending out the instructions, I’d love to be sent a copy so I can try my hand at making this too. 🙂

  • Karen November 22, 2015, 4:39 PM

    My son would love this. Are you still sending out instructions? Thank you so much.!!

    • admin November 22, 2015, 7:18 PM

      Karen, I will try to get this sent to you tomorrow as I don’t have access to it right now. Feel free to contact me again in case I forget. Have been really busy with the holidays coming up.

  • Albert November 24, 2015, 2:07 PM

    Hey, this is really cool, Nice work, I would like instructions too if you have them available. Would love to make this for my daughter she’s getting into chess.

    Thank You
    Albert

  • Al Miller January 3, 2016, 3:45 PM

    My grandson built a Lego Star Wars chess set and sent a photo to the Lego Magazine. It was never shown in the magazine. Could you please send me the instructions for your mini chess set? Thank you.

  • jannika January 29, 2016, 8:18 AM

    Oh I love both chess and Lego, and this is very perfect! Could you please send me the instructions? Thanks in advance

  • Diana March 25, 2016, 9:39 AM

    Hi. This is genius. My son would love it. Would you kindly send me the instructions. Thanking you

  • Jaime April 4, 2016, 10:30 AM

    If they are still available, I would love to get the direction to build this for my lego & chess loving nephew!
    Thank you!

  • Jaime April 4, 2016, 10:36 AM

    This is wonderful! If the directions are available, I would love to receive a copy. My lego & chess loving nephew would LOVE to build this! Thank you!

  • Valita Bird April 5, 2016, 8:43 AM

    Love your design. Can I get a copy of your instructions.

  • Charlie April 17, 2016, 2:54 PM

    Hi, I love Legos and chess and would love to make the board. I looked for the instructions and I could not find them. Could you please send them to me. Thank you.

  • Charlie April 17, 2016, 2:59 PM

    Hi. I just love Legos and chess. I would love a copy of the instructions of the design. Thank you.

  • Judith June 1, 2016, 6:47 AM

    Hi, are you able to send me a copy of the instructions please. Would love to make one to teach chess to my Lego loving grandson. Many thanks.

  • Brent June 14, 2016, 7:09 AM

    Hi, I am Brent from Korea. I am 12years old and I am lego fan. I like to create lego MOCs. I was surprised by your creation. It is cute and useful. Could you please send me an instruction please? I’d like to build it.

  • Alexander November 5, 2016, 7:59 PM

    Hi. I think your mini chess set is great.
    Can you please send me the instructions?

  • maria tzoumacas December 26, 2016, 3:51 AM

    This is really awesome! My father is a super chess freak and is currently teaching my 5 year old son how to play. My dad takes chess waaay too seriously and they are often butting heads so I would love to build a Lego set to make it more fun for my son who is a Lego freak! I’ve been browsing the net to find ideas and i love this! Please help me out with the instructions!

    • admin December 26, 2016, 11:57 AM

      Maria, this chess set is very small, I don’t think it would be the most suitable for a young child and your dad. It is more a novelty design than something practical to learn chess with. The official LEGO chess boards would be more appropriate in this regard. Something like this LEGO Pirate Chess set with a large board and lots of minifigures: http://amzn.to/2ix4uvK

      • maria tzoumacas January 1, 2017, 1:36 AM

        Ok. Thank you! Happy New Year

  • Mogli July 16, 2017, 12:58 PM

    Hey, I was surfing the web for Lego chess sets and this is pretty awesome, I really like it.
    Are you still sharing your instructions to the world?
    If you are, I would like, thanks!

    • admin July 16, 2017, 8:31 PM

      Mogli, I no longer share original LDD files, however there are a number of detailed pictures in my flickr gallery that should make it super easy to just copy the model. 🙂

  • nick January 25, 2018, 7:07 AM

    Hi There,

    Could you please email me the plans for this and brick list? It looks amazing!

    Thanks,
    Nick

    • admin January 25, 2018, 12:46 PM

      Nick, I sent you an email. 🙂

  • CP July 9, 2020, 8:59 PM

    These sets are amazing! My son is an avid chess player and would love one. Do you still sell these sets? If so, how much are they? If not, would it be possible for you to email me the instructions and brick list?

    Thanks so much!

    • Thita (admin) July 10, 2020, 9:27 AM

      CP, thanks for the compliments. This project is from 10 years ago, so I don’t really have anything I can give you at this point. However, it’s an easy project, and you guys should be able to copy it just from the pictures. I have more pictures in my flickr gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/akunthita/albums/72157623736820893

      If you have any other questions, just let me know.

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