Step into a new dimension of strategy with Mêlée, a handcrafted, chess-inspired board game that pushes the limits of classic gameplay. Designed and built by an independent artist, Vincent Cricchio, in June 2009, this exquisite work of art is #2 of only 2 ever made, verified by a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Each Mêlée set is individually handmade, featuring:
A solid wood board measuring 22.5" x 22.5" x 1"
Hand-painted and lacquered squares in striking tones of black, oak, and deep ocean blue
Four full sets of hand-turned wooden playing pieces
Four embroidered suede storage pouches marked “Mêlée”
Complete rulebook featuring six unique gameplay variations
Every detail showcases precision, balance, and beauty — this isn’t just a game; it’s a collector’s heirloom.
Why settle for chess when Mêlée gives you six different ways to play?
Solitaire Mode – Master tactics solo.
2-Player Minefield – Dynamic duels with hidden traps.
3-Player Abandoned Kingdom – A test of alliances and betrayal.
2–4 Player Mêlée for Points – Fast-paced competition.
Basic Mêlée (2–4 Players) – Classic strategy with modern depth.
2–4 Player Rogue Variation – Unpredictable and thrilling twists.
Mêlée transforms chess from a two-dimensional duel into a three-dimensional strategic battlefield.
Handmade Mêlée board (22.5" x 22.5" x 1")
4 full sets of handcrafted wooden playing pieces
4 embroidered Mêlée drawstring pouches
Complete rulebook (6 game variations)
Signed Certificate of Authenticity – #2 of 2, June 2009
Only two copies in existence — this is the final one ever offered
100% handmade and artist-signed
Perfect for collectors, chess enthusiasts, or art lovers
Excellent condition – stored and preserved since 2009
Conversation piece and playable artwork in one
Experience Mêlée — where art meets intellect and every move becomes a masterpiece.
🕰️ Once this piece is gone, it’s gone forever.
🎁 Ships securely with all components, certificate, and rulebook.
Crafted in 2009 by a visionary board game artisan, Vincent Cricchio, who sought to reinvent the classic chess experience, Mêlée was born from a love of craftsmanship and complexity. The artist created only two complete sets — each representing hundreds of hours of woodworking, finishing, and testing. Every board and piece was shaped, painted, and polished by hand, making this edition a true collector’s heirloom.
This isn’t a mass-produced game — it’s a rare moment in board game artistry, frozen in time.
There are only two games like this produced by the artist Vincent Cricchio back in June 2009. If you are a collector of unique handcrafted games, this is a find for you. The artist intends to make checker pieces for this game with a rule book, and agreed to offer those peices to the buyer of this game for free when he completes this sometime in the future.
This game was never used, it is an investment.
This is numbered 2 of 2, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The board measure 22.5" x 22.5" x 1". This is the second of the two larger games created without drawers, and represents the second of two the games that have 12 wall tiles instead of 14.
The 14 wall tiles version is the standard for all games after 2009. Four games of this size, costing $3,000 were created with drawers, two of which were sold, one the artist kept, and the last one is in storage for a future offering. This less expensive version has three game piece families that are coated with polyurethane, and not stained, to highlight the natural exotic color and character of the unusual woods. The fourth game piece family is stained pine with a polyurethane coating. The playing board is fitted wood tiles that are stained, glued and fitted to the playing board, and then the board is framed and coated with polyurethane.
The rule book has six variations to the game. Solitaire, 2 player minefield. 3 player abandoned kingdome, 2-4 player Melee for points, basic Melee for 2-4 players and 2-4 player rogue variation. Wow, chess can't do that. This elevates the game from a two dimentional chess game to a three dimentional Melee!