But if you want a full-size set that will endure years of steady play and be pleasant to use, ... The Championship Series Chess Set, Box, & Board Combination. Photo: The House of Staunton.

A full history of LEGO chess. LEGO patented its signature "binding brick" in 1958. But it wasn't until nearly 50 years later, in 2005, that LEGO released its first official chess build.

Chess is timeless, but automating it? That’s where the real magic begins. Enter [Tamerlan Goglichidze]’s Pi Board, an automated chess system that blends modern tech with age-old strategy ...

Soon, people engrossed over a chess board became a common sight across the village. Meanwhile, cases of alcohol addiction and gambling began to decline in the village.