Play Viking Chess

🎂 5 + years ⏱️ 20 min 📍 Outside ⭐ Sporty

Viking Chess, also known as Kubb, is an outdoor throwing game where two teams compete against each other. The goal is to knock down the wooden blocks of the opposing team and ultimately hit the king in the center. You can play on grass or sand, such as in the garden, park, or at the beach. This way, you get to enjoy the fresh air and nature. Viking Chess is fun and strengthens teamwork because you have to work together to win. You learn how important good communication and strategy are. Additionally, you need skill and coordination to throw the sticks accurately. The game is easy to set up and quick to learn, making it perfect for anyone who enjoys playing outside.

What you'll need

Viking Chess set

How it works

Find a flat area and mark out a rectangular playing field, about 5 x 8 meters in size. Place the king in the center of the field. Each team sets up its 5 kubbs along its baseline. Use wooden sticks to mark the field if necessary.
Form two teams with 1 to 6 players each. Each team lines up behind its baseline. You can also play with just two players, with each person playing for themselves. Come up with cool team names.
The first team throws the 6 throwing sticks one by one at the kubbs of the opposing team. Throws are made from a standing position behind their own baseline. Try to knock down as many kubbs as possible. The sticks must always be thrown from below to above to keep it fair.
After the first team has thrown all its sticks, it’s the other team’s turn. The knocked down kubbs are thrown into the opponent's field and set up there. These kubbs must be knocked down first before you can attack the kubbs on the baseline.
First, you must knock down the kubbs that are in the field. These field kubbs take priority before you can attack the opponent's baseline kubbs. This keeps the game exciting and strategic, as you always have new targets.
Once a team has knocked down all the opponent's kubbs, it can try to knock down the king in the center of the field. Caution: If you knock down the king before all the opponent's kubbs are down, your team loses immediately! So patience and precision are key.
The team that successfully knocks down the king wins the game. The king can only be hit backwards through the legs. After that, you can play a rematch and find out who the true Viking team is. Good luck and most importantly, have fun playing Viking Chess!