Viking Chess – the original!
Kubb (pronounced Kooob), is also known as Viking Chess and originates from the land of Vikings, Sweden, Its an addictive and really great outdoor game that is fun for family and friends of all ages. The perfect addition to your next outdoor get together that will provide everyone with laughs and entertainment. Kubb is easy to learn and suits 1 on 1 challenges or large groups.
The Original Kubb set is made in the nordic tradition from environmentally friendly birch (good shock resistant wood) and comes in a strong black nylon carry-bag. Perfect from travelling between viking battles. All the wooden pieces and edges are sanded smooth. Over time, you can rub down your Kubb set with danish or equivalent timber oil to preserve and protect it.
The Kubb Set comrises
- 1 King (7cm x 30cm)
- 10 Kubbs "soldiers" (5.5cm x 15cm),
- 6 throwing batons (3.5cm x 30cm)
- 4 corner posts
- Rule sheet.
Players: 2 -12 (2 teams)
Ages: 6+
If you are looking for a Kubb Set in a wooden crate rather than the black nylon bag, then check out Kubb in a Crate by Planet Finska.
This is one of many classic and fun games from the Planet Finska collection, which is a part of our Outdoor Games range.
How To Play Kubb
The legend goes that Kubb was invented over 1000 years ago by the vikings who would play after winning a battle. There were plenty of dead victims around so they would use the bones to play the game. Gruesome wasn't it. Luckily you don't need to slay your neighbours to enjoy a game.
The most important thing you need to know is how to win. To win Kubb, you need to knock down all of your oponents Kubbs and then their King in one turn.
The battlefield (play area) for the game is commonly 8 x 5 m but you can make it larger or smaller depending on how good your team is at throwing the batons. The area is a large rectangle with a baseline at each end and a middle line. Use the corner posts to mark the area. Each team places their 5 Kubbs on their baseline an equal distance a part. The King goes in the centre of the field.
To work out who throws first, each team throws one baton at the king, with the one that is the closest and not hitting it, being the first to throw. Throwing must always be underarm, one baton at a time and the baton can rotate/spin vertically or not at all. It is not allowed to rotate horizontally.
The first team throws 2 batons, 2nd team thows 4 batons and after that they both throw 6 batons each turn. After throwing all the batons in a turn, if the King still stands then any Kubbs that were knocked down are thrown by the opossing team into your half and they are then stood up. These are then referred to as Field Kubbs. I like to think of it as any Kubbs you knock down are resurrected as Kubbs on your side.
Next the oposing team has their turn and must firstly knock down the Field Kubbs and then the Baseline Kubbs and then the King. Like before, if the King is not legally knocked down then the fallen Kubbs are thrown back into the other half and change sides so to speak. If all of the Field Kubbs were not knocked down then the oposing team can then throw their batons from the furtherest Kubb on their next run. You don't want this so make sure you knock those Field Kubbs down.
The play continues back and forth until someone legally knocks down the King. There are a few more rules around standing up fallen Kubbs and knocking down Kubbs/King out of order but all this is covered in the rules you get with the game. Alternatively you can just make them up as you go.
Kubb is a great game for family and friends and as you can see requires a bit of skill in throwing and there is some strategy in where you throw the Kubbs as well. All in all its a great way to spend some time with family and friends at your next outdoor BBQ, picnic or get together.
