Kingdom Hearts 3 Chess Set Meaning

Kingdom Hearts 3 chess set meaning might not be clear for players. It is a scene that players are well acquainted with, as it was shown in trailers for the game and in the opening cinematic for Kingdom Hearts 3. Here is what the chessboard and sets likely mean. 

​​Kingdom Hearts 3 Chess Set Meaning

A young Xehanort and young Eraqus are seen discussing the Keyblade War over a game of chess. The scene was first shown at E3 2015, with the full conversation revealed in the beginning of Kingdom Hearts 3.

The chess game is a battle between the light and the dark, with young Xehanort representing the darkness and young Eraqus representing the light. Each chess piece has a symbol on the top, which is meant to be a different character in the Kingdom Hearts series. Players can easily make out Vanitas, members of Organization XIII like Saïx, and Ansem's Guardian on Xehanort's side -- while Mickey, Kairi, Aqua, Riku, and Sora are clearly seen on Eraqus' side.

As seen in the Kingdom Hearts 3 trailer for ​its opening song, Face My Fears, every move Xehanort makes causes some sort of battle against the light. Aqua and Ventus lose Terra to Xehanort, Sora loses Riku and Kairi and must fight Ansem, Roxas loses Xion, and so on. The scene in Kingdom Hearts 3 features Xehanort and Eraqus discussing the war as they play the game of chess. It is important to note a few chess pieces are lying flat on the table after being taken, which might indicate some characters will permanently be killed later in the game. 

The last scene in chess game between them shows two chess pieces on an elevated platform facing each other. This is likely the final battle between Sora and Xehanort.

Cover photo courtesy of Square Enix