Traditional Board Games Leaflets
The Traditional Board Game Series is a collection of sixty leaflets, covering over eighty traditional board games from around the world. These games cover five millennia, ranging in date from 3000 B.C. to about 1900, with the addition of a few 20th century developments of older games.
Societies represented are spread across the globe. Ancient Greece and Rome, medieval Spain, Victorian Britain and Viking Scandinavia represent Europe. Ghana and Ancient Egypt represent Africa. The Mayans and Zuni people represent the Americas. Asia is represented from medieval Persia through ancient India and Nepal to ancient China, Korea and modern Japan. While native Australians were not board game players, the Maoris of New Zealand are also represented.
These leaflets are provided free of charge. Feel free to download them, print them and distribute them unmodified. If you would like to have branded versions of one or more these leaflets for your game product, museum or for other purposes, then please get in touch.
Agon Leaflet
Download: Agon.pdf
Size 266kb, downloads 4780.
Agon is an eighteenth-century game, and one of the earliest to be played on a board made up of hexagons. Two sides each have a queen and six guards which start around the edge of the board. Each side must try to be the first to get their queen to the centre of the board, while preventing their opponent from doing the same, using blocking and capturing moves. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of ... (read more...)
Alea Evangelii Leaflet
Download: Alea Evangelii.pdf
Size 393kb, downloads 4040.
Alea evangelii is a hnefatafl game. A king sits at the centre of the board with 24 defenders, while 48 attackers lie in wait around the edges. The king must get to safety in one of the corner citadels with the help of his defenders, while the attackers must try to capture him. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright ... (read more...)
Alquerque Leaflet
Download: Alquerque.pdf
Size 236kb, downloads 4463.
In alquerque, two players each have twelve pieces which face each other on a board of 25 points. The objective for each player is to capture all the enemy pieces, using a compulsory jumping capture move. Alqueque is one of the ancestors of draughts. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. ... (read more...)
Alquerque Variants Leaflet
Download: Alquerque Variants.pdf
Size 579kb, downloads 4515.
Alquerque spread far and wide, and many cultures made their own versions of it, from North America in the west to Asia in the east. This leaflet contains a selection of games which use the alquerque rules on a variety of different shaped boards. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. ... (read more...)
Asalto Leaflet
Download: Asalto.pdf
Size 254kb, downloads 4044.
Asalto is a hunt game played on a modified solitaire board. 24 rebels attempt capture a fort from the two officers who occupy it. The officers have increased powers of movement and capture to counter the rebels' numerical advantage. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Bagh Chal Leaflet
Download: Bagh Chal.pdf
Size 193kb, downloads 5049.
Bagh Chal is a hunt game, where four tigers face twenty goats. The tigers must eat all of the goats, and the goats must try to block the tigers to prevent them from moving. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Bagh Guti Leaflet
Download: Bagh Guti.pdf
Size 205kb, downloads 4128.
One of many south-east Asian hunt games, bagh guti pits two tigers against twenty goats. The tigers must eat all the goats, while the goats attempt to trap the tigers so that they cannot move. This is unusual among such games in that the pieces can be piled up in stacks. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but ... (read more...)
Brandub Leaflet
Download: Brandub.pdf
Size 205kb, downloads 5061.
Brandub is a hnefatafl game, played in Ireland. A king in the centre of the board is protected by four defenders. Around the edges, eight attackers lie in wait. The king must get to a corner citadel with the aid of his defenders; the attackers must capture him. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely ... (read more...)
Captain's Mistress Leaflet
Download: Captains Mistress.pdf
Size 186kb, downloads 3975.
This is the game commercially known as Connect Four. But the modern game's colourful plastic styling disguise a much longer history. Legend has it that this game was played by Captain Cook. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Catch the Hare Leaflet
Download: Catch the Hare.pdf
Size 164kb, downloads 4022.
One of the earliest pure hunt games in Europe, Catch the Hare (De Cercar La Liebre in its native Spanish) dates from the thirteenth century. A hare faces twelve hunters. The hare must capture the hunters, while the hunters must constrain the hare so that it cannot move. (read more...)
Courier Game Leaflet
Download: Courier Game.pdf
Size 414kb, downloads 3750.
The courier game is an interesting German variant of chess played on an 12x8-square board since mediaeval times. While it is not so well known today, its heyday lasted six centuries - longer than the present version of chess has been played. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Dablot Prejjesne Leaflet
Download: Dablot Prejjesne.pdf
Size 215kb, downloads 3931.
Dablot prejjesne is a battle game played in Lapland. A king, his prince, and 28 warriors form one side, the other side being a landlord, his son and 28 tenant farmers. Despite their names, both sides have equal powers of capture and movement. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Dara Leaflet
Download: Dara.pdf
Size 174kb, downloads 4025.
A building and battle game from Africa, Dara is effectively twelve men's morris played on a 6x5-square grid. Players have twelve pieces each, which must be played so as to form rows of three. A row of three captures an opposing piece, and the first player to reduce the opponent to two pieces is the winner. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These ... (read more...)
Dogs and Jackals Leaflet
Download: Dogs and Jackals.pdf
Size 243kb, downloads 4846.
A race game from ancient Egypt, Dogs and Jackals is one modern name for a game whose original name has not survived. Others include "the palm tree game" and "the game of 58 holes". Each side has five pieces that must be moved around the track to the exit. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be ... (read more...)
Fanorona Leaflet
Download: Fanorona.pdf
Size 97kb, downloads 3944.
Fanorona is a popular game from Madagascar. Its unusual feature is that pieces capture by approach and withdrawal, that is, moving towards or away from a row of enemies. Games can be quite dramatic as large numbers of pieces can be taken at once. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. ... (read more...)
Five Field Kono Leaflet
Download: Five Field Kono.pdf
Size 119kb, downloads 4622.
This is an early example of a traversal game, where each side tries to get its pieces to its opponent's starting position. It is played in Korea. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Four Field Kono Leaflet
Download: Four Field Kono.pdf
Size 148kb, downloads 4464.
Four Field Kono is a Korean war game with an unusual leap-frog capture. Jump over one of your own men to land on the adjacent enemy to capture it. Another notable aspect is that the board starts completely full. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Four Handed Dice Chess Leaflet
Download: Four Handed Dice Chess.pdf
Size 230kb, downloads 3996.
This game is also known as chaturaji, and it comes from mediaeval India. Four sides each have four pieces and four pawns, with a die deciding on each turn which piece can move. Players are in partnerships, but there is scope for backstabbing even among allies! The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and ... (read more...)
Four Seasons Chess Leaflet
Download: Four Seasons Chess.pdf
Size 256kb, downloads 4058.
A European four-player chess game, Four Seasons Chess was played in thirteenth-century Spain. Each set has just eight pieces: a king, bishop, knight, rook and pawns, and starts in a corner. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Fox & Geese Leaflet
Download: Fox and Geese.pdf
Size 178kb, downloads 4122.
Fox & Geese is the best-known European hunt game, played on a board which was later adapted for peg solitaire. A fox faces thirteen geese; the fox must eat the geese, while the geese must trap the fox. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
French Military Game Leaflet
Download: French Military Game.pdf
Size 110kb, downloads 5179.
This game has had many names, another one being Hare and Hounds. It is the simplest hunt game: three hounds against one hare on a small board. The hare must get past the hounds, which in turn must trap the hare. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Gabata Leaflet
Download: Gabata.pdf
Size 191kb, downloads 3790.
Gabata is a three-rank mancala game from east Africa. 54 pieces are distributed among 18 holes, three pieces per hole. Players sow pieces from one hole into others, capturing enemy pieces from the columns in which they land. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Go Leaflet
Download: Go.pdf
Size 390kb, downloads 4252.
Called wei-qi in its native China, go was played to the highest level in Japan, and in both countries is considered the most intellectual of board games. Simple rules disguise incredibly deep strategy. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Halma, Grasshopper and Chinese Checkers Leaflet
Download: Halma.pdf
Size 546kb, downloads 3660.
These three games, with roots in the nineteenth century, are race games without luck. Each side tries to be the first to get their pieces to the opposite end of the board. Instead of dice, careful positioning of pieces allows them to help one another towards their objective. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely ... (read more...)
Horseshoe and Madelinette Leaflet
Download: Horseshoe.pdf
Size 140kb, downloads 3966.
These are two games of blocking from opposite ends of the old world. Horseshoe is the English name for a game from the far east, while madelinette is a larger variant native to Europe. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Kerala Leaflet
Download: Kerala.pdf
Size 131kb, downloads 4063.
Kerala is an unusual race game from India. Three players race their pieces twice around a track before returning home, each having their own starting and finishing lane. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Konane Leaflet
Download: Konane.pdf
Size 527kb, downloads 4000.
Sometimes called Hawaiian checkers, this is not a variant of checkers but an original game. The aim of the game is not to capture the most pieces, but to leave the opposing player without a valid. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Leapfrog Leaflet
Download: Leapfrog.pdf
Size 1269kb, downloads 3996.
Leapfrog is a nineteenth century game from England. It plays much like a multi-player version of solitaire; players must capture pieces by jumping one piece over others. When no more captures can be made, the winner is the player with the most pieces. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Len Choa Leaflet
Download: Len Choa.pdf
Size 83kb, downloads 4626.
An elegant hunt game of the eastern type, Len Choa is played on a simple triangle-shaped board with one tiger against six leopards. The leopards must trap the tiger; the tiger must capture the leopards. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum Leaflet
Download: Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum.pdf
Size 131kb, downloads 7720.
This Roman game, whose name means "game of the twelve lines", is the immediate predecessor to backgammon. Each player has fifteen pieces which must race around three rows of twelve spaces to the end of the course. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Mak-ruk Leaflet
Download: Mak-ruk.pdf
Size 181kb, downloads 3908.
Mak-ruk is the Thai version of chess. Its unusual feature is that the pawns start one row further forward than in the western game, and some older moves of the pieces are used. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Mefuhva Leaflet
Download: Mefuhva.pdf
Size 476kb, downloads 3627.
Mefuhva is one of the largest mancala games, boards being of four rows of up to 28 holes. The game starts with two pieces per hole. Players move only on their own side of the board, and opposing pieces are captured from the column in which the last piece is dropped. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but ... (read more...)
Ming Mang Leaflet
Download: Ming Mang.pdf
Size 251kb, downloads 3968.
Possibly an ancestor of reversi, Ming Mang is a game of movement and capture. It shares with reversi the method of capture: surrounding a row of enemy pieces and turning them into one's own colour. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Mu Torere Leaflet
Download: Mu Torere.pdf
Size 165kb, downloads 4505.
Mu Torere is a native Maori game of blocking. Each player has four pieces on a star-shaped board, and the winner is the one who prevents the opponent from moving. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Nine Men's Morris Leaflet
Download: Nine Mens Morris.pdf
Size 107kb, downloads 4630.
An ancient game still occasionally played today, nine men's morris is one of the more sophisticated three-in-a-row games. Players forming a row may capture an enemy pieces; the winner is the first to reduce the opponent to two pieces. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Nyout Leaflet
Download: Nyout.pdf
Size 152kb, downloads 4276.
An ancient Korean game still played today. Nyout is a race game where each player races their horses around a track - with the opportunity to take short cuts! Horses may also team up to move together, speeding up progress. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Other Morris Games Leaflet
Download: Other Morris Games.pdf
Size 117kb, downloads 4055.
There is more to three in a row than noughts and crosses! This leaflet contains a selection of more sophisticated three-in-a-row games, where forming a row is a means to capturing enemy pieces. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Pachisi Leaflet
Download: Pachisi.pdf
Size 146kb, downloads 4494.
Ludo and Parcheesi are simplified descendants of an Indian game pachisi, which involves more skill than its western descendants. Players play in partnerships in this game. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Petteia and Ludus Latrunculorum Leaflet
Download: Petteia.pdf
Size 161kb, downloads 6269.
Two ancient games with a shared history, one comes from Greece and the other from Rome. In each game, the victory is gained by capturing all of the opponent's pieces; a piece is captured by surrounding it on two opposite sides. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Pulijudam Leaflet
Download: Pulijudam.pdf
Size 125kb, downloads 3965.
Pulijudam is a hunt game played on a vaguely triangular board with three tigers against fifteen leopards. The tigers must capture the leopards, while the leopards must block the tigers. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Puluc Leaflet
Download: Puluc.pdf
Size 139kb, downloads 4096.
Puluc, sometimes called bul or boolik, is descended from a Mayan game. Two sides set out from their respective cities at opposite ends of a one-dimensional track. Pieces capture each other and drag their captives to the end of the track to be killed, all by the throw of casting sticks. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but ... (read more...)
Renju Leaflet
Download: Renju.pdf
Size 171kb, downloads 3716.
Renju is the most sophisticated of a family of five-in-a-row games from the far east. The premise is simple: be the first to form a row of five pieces. But the first player is under certain restrictions, to counteract their natural advantage. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Reversi Leaflet
Download: Reversi.pdf
Size 164kb, downloads 3725.
Commercially known as Othello, reversi was invented in the nineteenth century but became popular in a 1970s revival. It has since increased in popularity with widely-distributed version played on computers and mobile phones. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Royal Game of Ur Leaflet
Download: Royal Game of Ur.pdf
Size 139kb, downloads 6177.
One of the oldest games in the world, the oldest intact surviving board game is a Royal Game of Ur. Players race their pieces around an odd-shaped board according to the throw of casting sticks or pyramid-shaped dice. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Salta Leaflet
Download: Salta.pdf
Size 149kb, downloads 3896.
Salta is one of a number of ingenious games from the nineteenth century. It borrows from halma and draughts, with some original elements of its own. Each piece is individual and has its proper place to occupy at the opposite side of the board. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. ... (read more...)
Saturankam Leaflet
Download: Saturankam.pdf
Size 120kb, downloads 3990.
Saturankam is a large variant of a square race game. Players race their pieces around a spiral-shaped track, trying to be the first to get all their pieces to the centre. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Seega Leaflet
Download: Seega.pdf
Size 129kb, downloads 4728.
This appears to be a relatively modern game, but may have undocumented links back to Greek and Roman times. Players must win by capturing the opponent's pieces, using an ancient method of capture: surrounding an enemy piece on two opposite sides. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Senet Leaflet
Download: Senet.pdf
Size 146kb, downloads 4448.
This is the best-known game of ancient Egypt. A track of thirty square is folded into a grid of three rows of ten squares. Each player has seven pieces which must race to the end of the track, but there are obstacles to overcome! The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. ... (read more...)
Shatranj Leaflet
Download: Shatranj.pdf
Size 240kb, downloads 3583.
Shatranj is the mediaeval form of chess that was introduced to Europe from the middle east. A slower form of the game, the bishop and queen have more restricted mvoes than in modern chess. But this gives each player time to fortify their position before battle begins in earnest. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be ... (read more...)
Shogi Leaflet
Download: Shogi.pdf
Size 402kb, downloads 3776.
Shogi is the Japanese form of chess. What sets this aside from all others is that captured enemy pieces may be re-entered on the board as part of one's own army. It is also unusual in that almost all pieces promote on reaching the far end of the board, not just the pawns. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright ... (read more...)
Sittuyin Leaflet
Download: Sittuyin.pdf
Size 259kb, downloads 4160.
The Burmese form of chess, Sittuyin is unusual in that, behind the advanced pawns, each player decides how to lay out their pieces at the start of the game. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Surakarta Leaflet
Download: leaflet-21-surakarta.pdf
Size 72kb, downloads 3933.
This Javanese game of unknown antiquity has an unusual form of capture: a piece is catapulted around the curved tracks at the corners of the board to slam into enemies and remove them from the board. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
T'shu-p'u Leaflet
Download: Tshu-pu.pdf
Size 133kb, downloads 3915.
Though cross-shaped race games came from India, the Chinese played them too. T'shu-p'u is a small Chinese variant, the arms being only three squares long. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Tablan Leaflet
Download: Tablan.pdf
Size 196kb, downloads 4692.
Tablan is a running-fight game. The board is treated as a one-dimensional track, along which pieces move by the throw of casting sticks. But it is not a race: the object of the game is to capture enemy pieces by landing on them. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Tablut Leaflet
Download: Tablut.pdf
Size 223kb, downloads 3930.
A survival of the Norse game hnefatafl, tablut was played in eighteenth-century Lapland. A king and eight Swedish guards face sixteen Muscovites; the king must escape from the board while the Muscovites must capture him. Since this leaflet was first written back in 2006, new research has added to our knowledge of how this game was played. The game in this leaflet is still a good one, but for a more accurate interpretation, please visit the tablut link under ... (read more...)
Tawlbwrdd Leaflet
Download: Tawlbwrdd.pdf
Size 347kb, downloads 3963.
This Welsh form of the Norse game hnefatafl survived till the sixteenth century. A king has twelve defenders in the centre of the board, who face 24 attackers at the edge. The king must escape from the board, while the attackers must capture him. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. ... (read more...)
Thaayam Leaflet
Download: Thaayam.pdf
Size 114kb, downloads 3920.
Thaayam is a race game from southern India. Played on a square board, the game is for up to four players. Each has four pieces, and must race them to the centre of the board around a spiral-shaped route. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and distributed unmodified. (read more...)
Wari Leaflet
Download: Wari.pdf
Size 203kb, downloads 3648.
This is the most well-known form of mancala, a family of games from Africa. Players try to capture as many pieces as possible, moving by lifting pieces from one hole and dropping them, one by one, in subsequent holes around the board. Leaving three or two pieces into an enemy hole allows you to capture. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets ... (read more...)
Xiang Qi Leaflet
Download: Xiang Qi.pdf
Size 228kb, downloads 3842.
Xiang qi is the Chinese form of chess, and is the most-played chess game in the world. More tactical than strategic, it introduces new elements to the game: a palace to which the general and his attendants are confined, a river which affects some pieces' movement, and the impressive canon which captures by jumping onto an enemy. The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. ... (read more...)
Yoté and Choko Leaflet
Download: Yote.pdf
Size 172kb, downloads 3936.
These two games from west Africa appear to be based on draughts, but introduce some novel features. Pieces are dropped onto the board at the owners' discretion, and jumping over an enemy piece allows you to capture it and one more enemy piece of your choice! The leaflet is designed to be printed on two sides of A4 paper which can then be folded into an A5 leaflet. These leaflets are copyright protected but may be freely printed and ... (read more...)
Comments
You have taken a graduate-level course on ancient gaming, and turned it into a few dozen one-page print-outs. Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Chad - 05:11, 25/10/2015
Do you have the rules for the Royal Game of Ur?
Roland Volz - 02:13, 05/06/2016
Thanks for asking, Roland. I've now sorted this page alphabetically, so you should find the Royal Game of Ur leaflet more easily.
Damian Walker - 19:15, 06/06/2016
Yes, sir! You really do have everything covered! Amazing!
Roland Volz - 19:19, 06/06/2016
Out of interest, what did you use to make the isometric diagrams?
George Pollard - 01:03, 26/12/2016
Thanks for your query, George! I used OpenOffice Draw for these diagrams. I did them between six and eleven years ago, though. If I were to do a similar project now, I'd probably use Inkscape instead.
Damian Walker - 11:39, 02/01/2017
I don't know how old it is but a really good French game is "Coucou Picard" (The Picardy Cuckoo). There does not seem to be a definitive translation of the instructions in English, so it might be one to look at. French rules are here:
http://jeuxstrategie1.free.fr/jeu_coucou_picard/regle.pdf
And there is information on various other websites.
At any rate, I enjoy playing it on my homemade board.
PS - I am glad you use open source tools like OpenOffice and Inkscape - I work at Red Hat.
David - 09:46, 19/10/2017
Fabulous resources!!! I was seeking some games that a fantasy character might play using simple pieces in a leather pouch that opens into the board. Mind blown by the variety freely available here! Thank you
Lisa Taylor - 19:52, 28/12/2018
Fabulous resource! I'm going to use this to inspire small game playing as a LARP character who has their games in little leather pouches.
Lisa - 13:58, 17/03/2019
I really like your leaflets, they are a wonderful compendium. And when there are many traditional or hypotetical rules, your choice is a good help to find out the best version without trying all of them.
Are you planning to go on with this project? There so many other leaflets I would like to have ^___^
Marco Delmiglio - 09:05, 24/10/2019
I appreciate the selection of games. I have a friend who is doing a study on different abstract board games. I'll send him a link.
I'd like to mention that your leaflets mention the old URL http://boardgames.cyningstan.org.uk/ instead of your new domain. I found that URL first (I forgot how :-(. I was looking for games on a 4x4 board and found 4-field boku. (I noticed that 5-field boku really is a different game and I don't like it as much.)
Then, I found a website explaining that the Captain's Mistress history is really shrouded. If we could only find that reference in Cpt. Cook's writings . . .
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Info about the legend itself.
- https://historicgames.com/xcart/captain-s_mistress.html
- https://www.amazon.com/WE-Games-Wood-Captains-Mistress/dp/B000JMCO58
Blate Minkler seems to have done quite some research and could not confirm the rumor. Since a famous game collector deemed the game he had made in the 20th century, it seems a plausible theory that the history of the game was invented to sell it better. This has been common practice with other games.
https://qualitygameboard.blogspot.com/2012/01/captains-mistress.html
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Perhaps unknown to most people is that "connect 4" is a solved game. A perfect player can be found here. https://connect4.gamesolver.org/ .
Have fun.
Bruno - 09:29, 11/12/2019
About Four Field Kono, I have a question.
What are the exact rules for this game?
From this website (https://www.di.fc.ul.pt/~jpn/gv/kono2.htm), it seems you advised them about the no-capture rule". This seems to imply that capturing is mandatory, and you can only move a piece to an empty field if you can't capture.
However, in your own rules, it seems you can choose, either to move to an empty field OR to capture (if it's possible). This also seems to be reflected in BGG's summary (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/20560/four-field-kono).
Now, perhaps you'd always want to capture if you're able, but the option makes the intriguing possibility of trapping your opponent. Perhaps this rule was intended to prevent draws?
Can you clarify the confusion? Thanks.
Bruno - 09:27, 13/12/2019
My reconstruction follows R. C. Bell's rules from the sources listed in the Four Field Kono leaflet, Bruno, and they don't mention that capture is compulsory. However, I've just re-checked Loader & Loader book, also given in the sources, and that one does say that you can only move if a capture is not available. I'd have to do a bit more digging to see if compulsory capture is part of the original game, or if it's a modern innovation.
Damian Gareth Walker - 13:35, 19/02/2020