Hnefatafl Viking Chess Set
Vikings, Valhalla hopefuls, Beth Harmon of The Queen's Gambit, Hnefatafl has one question for you: are you ready to fight for your king?
"Viking chess set" is just a loose description of Hnefatafl, which is actually its own ancient and authentic game created in Northern Europe during Viking times. It peaked in popularity during the Dark Ages, and hasn't been played much since the early 18th century, but if 1980s fashion could make comeback in 2020, why not revisit the 680s Viking entertainment on game nights in 2021?
Hnefatafl gameplay is more abstract in strategy than chess, though it still features 2 players competing for a king. One player represents the defender pieces and the other the attackers. The board is the battlefield of a city under siege, where defenders fight to get the king off the field as attackers move to capture him.
Hnefatafl provides 37 wood pieces, 12 x 1.5" defenders, 24 x 2" attachers, and 1 x 2.5" King. The 10.5" square gameboard features the "famed and feared" World Serpent, and has a single-piece construction, so there won't be any darned fold interfering with the smoothness of your Ragnarok.
DudeIWantThat.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Batman Chess Set
Of course the Batman Chess Set costs nearly $800. The Dark Knight is a fancy superhero. The fanciest superhero of all, I would say. And check out how dashing he looks in fine pewter and diecast metal. Villains the Joker...
Kama Sutra Chess Pieces (NSFW)
And suddenly, the intense inaction and sporadic finger movements of chess captivate the masses and enamor even those who have no idea what the hell is going on. Erotic chess pieces abound in Etsy vendor Nicola Ford's...
/chess-set-in-a-ring-59215.jpg?mode=crop "Chess Set in a Ring")
Chess Set in a Ring
I lay down my King and resign. Before even beginning a game on Joe Turner's wonderful, but Grandmaster-level, Chess Set in a Ring. Sorry, make that Grandmaster-vision-and-fine-motor-skill-level Chess Set in a Ring. Made...
Bullet Chess Set
This ammunition inspired chess set is made using spent .223 bullet shell casings. One side uses steel casings and the other side uses brass casings. The kings and queens are the only 4 pieces with an actual bullet re-set...
/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-Chess-Set-662.jpg?mode=crop "The Lord of the Rings Chess Set")
The Lord of the Rings Chess Set
Every detail is authentic, richly realistic and true to the Academy Award winning epic film. The board is a magnificent work of art, detailing the story of Frodo, the reluctant hero of The Shire, and the friends and foes...
War of 1812 Chess Set
We can all appreciate the creative skill, labor, and craftsmanship Jim Arnold poured into his elaborate, entirely hand-carved War of 1812 Chess set. But those of you out there who actually know what the War of 1812 is...
/dragon-chess-set-16342.jpg "Dragon Chess Set")
Dragon Chess Set
Welp, judging by the bones fossilized in the platform uplifting this chess set's glass board, the biggest dragons have already been slain. Now all I gotta conquer are the baby fire breathers, and in all likelihood their...
/vintage-bookshelf-board-games-58091.jpg?mode=crop "Vintage Bookshelf Board Games")
Vintage Bookshelf Board Games
These Vintage Bookshelf Board Games from WS Game Company are, to quote the late, great Chris Farley, awesome! I mean, have a gander yourself. Vintage Monopoly folded and packed up all tidy to look like a book: awesome!...
The King Must Die Hand Carved Chess Set
Obviously I like this chess set because most of its pieces appear to have leapt right out of my VHS cassette of Beetlejuice, one of the best 80s movies ever, as evidenced by the fact that I am saying so right now. I sure...
/arena-the-game-of-chess-in-60495.jpg?mode=crop "Arena - The Game of Chess in Concrete")
Arena - The Game of Chess in Concrete
Inspired by Roman amphitheaters and made of everyone's favorite building material*, Arena - The Game of Chess is Material Immaterial Studio's concrete interpretation of the checkered board and royal playing pieces. It's...
Nixie Chessboard
Now here's a new spin on smart lighting. Lasermad says their stellar Nixie Chessboard is the first and only Nixie tube-powered chessboard in the whole world, and I believe it. Who has the creativity to even come up with...
/ferrari-carbon-fiber-chess-set-13961.jpg "Ferrari Carbon Fiber Chess Set")
Ferrari Carbon Fiber Chess Set
Sure, $2 grand is steep, but it's not like this is just a Ferrari carbon fiber chess set. Look, you can play checkers on it too. And check out the varnish on those red playing pieces. I can almost see my reflection in...