Kubb
Swedish lawn game played with wooden BLOCKS (kubbs) + THROWING STICKS (kastpinnar). Objective: knock down all opponent's kubbs + finally the KING (larger central block). Also called 'VIKING CHESS'. Modern popularity dates to 1990s Gotland, Sweden. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP annually in Rönneby, Sweden. Highly strategic + accessible.
What is Kubb?
Kubb (rhymes with 'tube') is SWEDISH LAWN GAME played with wooden BLOCKS (KUBBS, 6cm × 6cm × 15cm) + WOODEN THROWING STICKS (KASTPINNAR, ~30cm cylinders). Also called 'VIKING CHESS' due to Nordic heritage + strategic depth. Origins uncertain — some claim medieval Viking origin (unproven); MODERN POPULARITY dates to 1990s GOTLAND, SWEDEN where game was revived + spread rapidly. GAMEPLAY: Rectangular playing field ~5m × 8m; 10 KUBBS positioned in 2 baselines (5 each side); KING (larger central block ~30cm tall) at center. Each team gets 6 throwing sticks per round. OBJECTIVE: (1) THROW sticks from own baseline attempting to KNOCK DOWN opponent's baseline kubbs. (2) Fallen kubbs are TOSSED into opponent's half + set upright as 'FIELD KUBBS' — MUST BE KNOCKED DOWN BEFORE knocking baseline kubbs (creates strategic depth). (3) Once all opponent's kubbs down, KNOCK DOWN THE KING to win. (4) KNOCKING KING PREMATURELY (before all kubbs) = INSTANT LOSS. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP annually in RÖNNEBY, SWEDEN (started 1995, called 'Kubb VM'). US KUBB CHAMPIONSHIP + national tournaments Sweden, Germany, USA, UK. Highly strategic (throwing accuracy + placement) + accessible (all ages). Popular BACKYARD + FESTIVAL game.
Quick facts
Category
Playground Games
Type
Team sport
Players
2–12
Duration
~30 min
Where played
outdoor
Field / court
grass or dirt lawn
Country of origin
🇸🇪 Sweden
Estimated origin
Claimed medieval Viking origin (unproven); modern revival Gotland 1990s; World Championship 1995
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Knock down all opponent's kubbs (baseline + field kubbs) THEN knock down the King.
Rules
Basic rules
10 kubbs on baselines (5 each side), King in center
Field ~5m × 8m; 6 throwing sticks per team per round.
Take turns throwing sticks OVERHAND from own baseline
UNDERHAND throws mandatory (rotating vertically end-over-end).
Knocked-down opponent's kubbs → tossed into opponent's half + stood as FIELD KUBBS
Field kubbs MUST be knocked down before baseline kubbs.
Once all opponent kubbs down, knock down KING to win
Careful — knocking King prematurely = INSTANT LOSS.
Alternate rounds; strategy involves placement of field kubbs
Advanced play requires tossing kubbs to strategic locations.
Scoring
Elimination-style — knock down all opponent's kubbs then King.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Knock down opponent's kubb | Toss into opponent's half + set upright as field kubb |
| Knock down opponent's King (after all kubbs) | WIN |
| Knock down opponent's King PREMATURELY | INSTANT LOSS |
Win condition · Knock down all opponent's kubbs + King (in that order).
Playing area
Called
grass or dirt lawn
Dimensions
5m × 8m rectangular field
Rectangular field marked with 10 kubbs on each baseline + King at center.
Equipment
Kubb set (10 kubbs + 6 throwing sticks + 1 king + 4 corner markers)
€30-100
Traditional wooden Swedish set
€60-200 hand-crafted
Strategies
Field kubb placement critical — place strategically
Toss kubbs to hard-to-hit angles for opponent.
Save King attempt for confident throws
Premature King attempt = instant loss.
Balance offense (knocking down) vs defense (field kubb placement)
Strategic depth.
Team coordination — communicate throwing order
Sticks must be shared efficiently.
Terminology
- Kubb (кубб)
- Wooden block; game name; plural 'kubbs'.
- Kastpinnar
- Wooden throwing sticks (~30cm cylinders).
- King
- Larger central block; final target; premature strike = loss.
- Field kubbs
- Tossed kubbs standing in opponent's half; must be knocked first.
- Baseline
- 5m line where kubbs originally stand + where throwers throw from.
Major competitions
World Kubb Championship (Kubb VM)
annual · Rönneby, Sweden · since 1995
US National Kubb Championship
annual · Eau Claire, Wisconsin · since 2007
European Kubb Championships
annual · Europe · since 2000
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Swedish Kubb Federation
Founded 1995 · Rönneby, Sweden
US National Kubb Championship
Founded 2007 · Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Various Swedish Kubb World Champions (Gotland-based teams historically dominant)
- US teams from Eau Claire, Wisconsin — American kubb hub
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy Kubb set (Amazon $40-80) or Swedish traditional ($100+)
Standard 10-kubb set with king.
- 2
Learn underhand throwing technique — sticks rotate vertically
Illegal to spin horizontally.
- 3
Practice knocking baseline kubbs at ~5m
Basic accuracy.
intermediate
- 1
Learn field kubb placement strategy
Where to toss for maximum difficulty.
- 2
Team play + tournament rules
6v6 competitive format.
advanced
- 1
Enter Swedish Kubb World Championship
Annual Rönneby event.
- 2
US Kubb Championship (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
American national event.
Frequently asked
What is Kubb?+
SWEDISH LAWN GAME played with wooden BLOCKS (kubbs) + THROWING STICKS (kastpinnar). Also called 'VIKING CHESS'. Objective: Knock down all opponent's kubbs (baseline + field kubbs) then knock down the KING. Modern revival dates to 1990s GOTLAND, SWEDEN. World Championship in Rönneby, Sweden annually. Highly strategic (throwing accuracy + field kubb placement) + accessible (all ages, quick learn). Popular BACKYARD + FESTIVAL game across Scandinavia, Germany, USA, UK.
How is Kubb different from Cornhole or Horseshoes?+
SIMILAR CATEGORY of throwing/precision lawn games but DIFFERENT MECHANICS. KUBB uses WOODEN STICKS to knock down BLOCKS + FINAL KING; game ends with king strike. CORNHOLE uses BEAN BAGS thrown at HOLE in tilted board; scoring points. HORSESHOES throws HORSESHOES at STAKE; ringers score points. KUBB has DEEPER STRATEGY due to field kubb placement + King mechanic. All three are backyard/lawn games; different equipment + rules; all festive social.
Is Kubb really Viking?+
CLAIMED but UNPROVEN. Some sources claim medieval VIKING ORIGIN (hence nickname 'Viking Chess'); no clear historical evidence traces game beyond ~19th century. MODERN POPULARITY dates definitively to 1990s GOTLAND, SWEDEN where game was revived. Whether authentically Viking or 19th-century Scandinavian folk game — MODERN KUBB is 1990s+ phenomenon. Rules formalized 1995 with founding of Kubb VM (World Championship). Cultural connection to Scandinavia is authentic even if Viking connection is romantic.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Kubb— Wikipedia
- Kubb VM (World Championship)— Kubb VM