This month we are exploring the lands of Morocco on the northern tip of Africa. In relatively recent times, Morocco enticed and ensconced hordes of writers and artists, intoxicated by the allure of cosmopolitan freedom, inspiration, and relaxation. But does this attraction extend to us curious gamers?
Certainly, Morocco holds some level of tabletop prestige, mostly attributable to a number of enduringly popular traditional games – including the two player strategy game Felli. Derived from the Middle Eastern game of Alquerque as well as western Draughts, Felli’s abstract gameplay focuses on leaping over and capturing opposing pieces. Where Felli deviates from these more widespread designs though, is in the vastly different board size and shape. As the smallest of the Alquerque type games, Felli contains only thirteen intersection points on which to place each player’s six pieces.