Kubb is a traditional Scandinavian lawn game, often referred to as Viking Chess. It’s a game of skill and strategy that can be played by individuals or teams, typically on grass, sand, or even snow.
How to Play Kubb
The game consists of wooden blocks, including:
Kubbs (5 per side) – These are the smaller wooden blocks that serve as the “soldiers.”
Batons (Throwing Sticks) – Used to knock down the opponent’s kubbs.
The King – A larger block placed in the centre of the playing field.
Setup
The field is a rectangle, approximately 5m x 8m.
Each team sets up five kubbs along their baseline.
The King is placed in the centre.
Gameplay
Teams take turns throwing batons underhand to knock over the opponent’s kubbs.
If a kubb is knocked over, it is thrown into the opponent’s half and must be knocked down again before attacking the back-row kubbs.
Once all the kubbs are down, the team can attempt to topple the King.
The first team to knock over the King wins—but if the King is hit before all kubbs are down, that team loses immediately.
Origins & History
Kubb is said to have Viking origins, possibly played with bones or wooden logs. While the exact history is uncertain, it has been a popular outdoor game in Sweden for centuries. Today, it’s enjoyed worldwide, with international tournaments held regularly.
