A themed chess set swaps the standard pieces for characters from a game, film or show, while most still play by the usual rules. Super Mario fans can pick a hand-painted collector’s set, Star Trek fans can play on a three-level board from the original series, and Middle-earth fans can choose from Lord of the Rings sets.
Themed chess sets compared
Choose a themed chess set by the fan’s favorite world, then check whether the set is meant for display, for play, or for both.
| Set | Fandom | What comes in the box | Rules | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Chess Collector’s Edition | Nintendo | 32 hand-painted pieces, two-sided board, tin | Standard chess | Kids 7 and up, family game night |
| Star Trek three-dimensional chess | Star Trek | Three levels plus four attack boards | Tri-dimensional rules | Trekkies, a talking point on a shelf |
| Battle for Middle-earth Chess Set | Middle-earth | 45 cm board, 32 pieces of 6 to 12 cm | Standard chess | Display and play for adult fans |
Super Mario chess for Nintendo fans
The Super Mario Chess Collector’s Edition has 32 hand-painted pieces, a two-sided board and a collectible tin, and it is rated for ages 7 and up. On one side, Mario is the king and Luigi the queen, with Peach and Daisy as bishops, Yoshi as the knights, Toad as the rooks and coins as the pawns.
The other side belongs to Bowser. Bowser Jr. is the queen, Magikoopas are the bishops, Birdo is the knight, Goombas are the rooks and Koopa shells are the pawns. Since every character matches a standard piece, a child who knows Mario can learn how each one moves by matching it to a character.
Themed and character chess sets
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Star Trek three-dimensional chess
Star Trek’s three-dimensional chess is seen in many Star Trek episodes and films, starting with the original series, for example in the 1967 episode “Court Martial”. It was a prop at first, but in 1976 Andrew Bartmess developed standard rules for a playable game, later expanded into a commercial rules booklet.
The board has three fixed levels and four small two-by-two attack boards that can move during play, which together hold the 64 squares. It is a different game from regular chess, so it suits a fan who already plays and wants a puzzle, or one who simply wants a famous prop on the shelf.
Tip
Lord of the Rings chess for Middle-earth fans
The Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle-earth Chess Set, sold by the Royal Armouries shop, has a board 45 cm across and 32 pieces between 6 and 12 cm tall. It plays as standard chess, and the tall sculpted pieces also make it a display piece between games.
The Battle for Middle-earth set needs a table of its own. Measure the shelf or coffee table where it will sit, since the board alone is close to 18 inches square.
Picking a themed chess set someone will play
A themed chess set gets played when the pieces are easy to tell apart at a glance. Look at photos from above: if the king, queen and bishops are hard to tell apart, the set is likely to stay on a shelf. For other fandoms, check that the set is officially licensed.
Chess sets for every player
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More chess gift ideas
For a player who wants standard pieces, our guide to which chess set to give covers tournament, wooden and giant sets. For gifts by fandom across all kinds of games, see board game gifts by interest, and for the rest of our chess pages, browse the chess gift guides.
Frequently asked questions
Do themed chess sets use the normal rules?
Most do. A themed set swaps the standard Staunton pieces for characters, but each side still has a king, queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks and eight pawns, and the game plays the same. Star Trek's three-level board is the main exception.
Is a themed chess set good for learning chess?
It can help a child stay interested, but character pieces can be harder to tell apart. Pair a themed set with a standard set for practice, so the learner gets used to the shapes they will see at a club.
What is a good chess set for a Nintendo fan?
The Super Mario Chess Collector's Edition has 32 hand-painted pieces, with Mario as the king on one side and Bowser as the king on the other. It comes with a two-sided board and a collectible tin, and is rated for ages 7 and up.
Can you really play Star Trek three-dimensional chess?
Yes. The board began as a prop in the original Star Trek series, and in 1976 Andrew Bartmess developed standard rules that he later expanded into a commercial rules booklet. It has three fixed levels and four small movable attack boards.
Sources
- Super Mario Chess Collector's EditionAsmodee Canada
- Three-dimensional chessWikipedia
- Battle for Middle-earth Chess SetRoyal Armouries
Part of our guide to Chess Gifts: Sets, Travel Boards, Electronic Boards and Themes.
Board Game Gifts · Section 04, Classic boards and chess · Updated October 25, 2026
