# London Skyline Chess Sets This Kickstarter Project Sees City Rivalries Duke it out Over Chess By Alyson Wyers | Published 2013-08-30 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/london-city-skyline References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/skyline-chess-set-brings-london-to-worlds-most-popular-game/) & [kickstarter](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1291653896/skyline-chess-bringing-the-city-to-your-chess-boar) This [chess set](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gochess-wizard) features pieces that resemble the London city skyline. Skyline Chess is a [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manya-cynus) campaign that combines architecture with the classic strategy board game. Designers Ian Flood and Chris Prosser built the pieces to look like London landmarks including Big Ben, the Gherkin, the [London Eye](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bearbrick-1), Canary Wharf and Renzo Piano's Shard, while also drawing on the symbolic significance of both the buildings and the chess pieces. For example, pawns become humble terraced abodes. Currently, only prototypes are available in 3D printed weighted acrylic and cast metal versions. The designers hope to expand beyond the London city skyline and create global versions depicting famous landmarks from Paris, Rome, Dubai, New York and Shanghai. This allows players to battle city against city as well. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/skyline-chess-set-brings-london-to-worlds-most-popular-game/), [kickstarter](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1291653896/skyline-chess-bringing-the-city-to-your-chess-boar) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 7% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Architecture-inspired Chess Sets:** There is an opportunity for businesses to create unique and collectible chess sets inspired by other cities around the world. - **City Rivalry Board Games:** Businesses can create board games based on city rivalries, such as London vs. Paris, New York vs. London etc. - **Combining Design and Strategy:** Opportunities exist to combine design and strategy in product development, creating unique and engaging products such as these chess sets. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Toy and Game Manufacturing:** Manufacturers in the toy and game industry can create unique and collectible chess sets like Skyline Chess. - **Tourism and Souvenir Retail:** Souvenir retailers and tourism industry players can offer these niche products as collectibles for customers wanting something unique to remember their travels. - **Design and Architecture:** Businesses in the design and architecture industry can leverage their skills and expertise to create unique and engaging strategy board games or chess sets. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Architecturally Inspired Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baku-chess-set.md) - [Building Block Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-tower-chess-set.md) - [Brutalist Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mohmaya.md) - [Incredibly Elegant Chess Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevated-chess-set.md) - [Beautifully Artful Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dune-chess-set.md) - [War-Inspired 3D-Printed Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kindachess-s.md) - [Ceramic Chess Seating Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chair-chess.md) - [Republic-Honoring Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chess-set-concept.md) - [Flat-Pack Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jigsaw-chess-set.md)