We’ve already discussed shots starting from squares 31 (Napoleon’s shot) and 32 (Beginner’s shot). The next thing I’m going to do is to introduce a shot, that starts from square 33. It’s called “the Bridge” and it’s very useful.
Category: Board Games
Tablut and Linnaeus’ contribution to the world of games
Many people know Carl Linnaeus (Carl von Linné) as a father of modern taxonomy who classified many species. What many people don’t know is that Carl Linnaeus helped to keep a piece of knowledge about a fascinating game of Tablut.
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Between Halatafl and Draughts: Pretwa, Gol skuish, Egara-guti, Lau kata kati, Kolowis Awithlaknannai
Among the games known India, there are many checkers-like games, that don’t resemble checkers at first glance. These games use interesting triangular or circular boards, and pieces move not through squares, but along the lines and their intersections. What’s more, one similar game was known to Native Americans who live rather far away from India. Pretwa, Gol skuish or Egara-guti are some examples of these games. You can learn their rules in a minute but you can play for hours.
Draughts tutorial p. 5. Beginner’s shot
In the previous part of this tutorial, I’ve described Napoleon’s shot that starts from square 31 for white and from square 20 for black. I think it’s a good idea to introduce next shot, that starts from subsequent squares, I mean from square 32 for white or 19 for black. What’s interesting, such shot is known as a Beginner’s shot.
Halma – The Beauty of Simplicity
It happens that one man creates an almost perfect game. George Howard Monks, who developed a game called Halma, was certainly one of such people. Halma gave rise to other interesting games, but it’s really great without any modifications. It requires relatively simple equipment, the rules are simple too, but you could devote your whole life to study its strategy.
Kimbo – put up your fences and go around others
Summer holidays are coming! This means a lot of spare time for parties, beer, family barbecues and other pleasures like… games! But you need a right game, well suited for playing with friends. Kimbo is just perfect. It’s a contemporary game, though a bit forgotten and worth the reminder. Continue reading “Kimbo – put up your fences and go around others”
Othello tutorial p. 5: Endings. How to not fail in last few moves?
Why Othello can be extremely exciting? Because each game can be lost or won in the last few moves, or even in the last move. One last decision can affect the final outcome. Therefore in Othello, endgame strategy is more than “finalizing the gained advantage”. Skillful playing in endings is extremely important.
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Chaturaji – chess-like game for 4 players and with a dice
When you hear “chess”, you think about the intellectual duel of two people. Therefore you may be surprised by the fact, that one of the Chess ancestors is a game for 4 players and with an element of luck. The goal of the game was no to checkmate but to score points, however, this old game is still “chessy” . The name of this game is Chaturaji.
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International Draughts tutorial p. 4. Napoleon’s shot
Napoleon Bonaparte was an outstanding strategist but he also had a need to test his strategic skills in games. He played chess but rather badly. Usually, he sought weaker opponents. He also liked draughts and maybe he was quite good in this game. We can guess so because one of the classic shots in international draughts is named after him. We do not know exactly whether he invented it, but learning this shot is another important stage of my draughts tutorial.
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Mancala (Wari) – Jewel of Africa
Imagine that games are treasures of different nations, countries, and continents. India had brought Chess and many other games to the world. Go and Mahjong may be seen as the great wealth of China. Europe has developed Checkers and Chess in its modern, western form. And what Africa gave to the world? Mancala of course! A real jewel of Africa. Extremely beautiful. Raw and sophisticated at the same time.
Bona Ludo 