HAVE YOU PLAYED?
ONITAMA
We take the first move in this abstract game where you build the rules as you go. But watch out, whatever you give to your opponent will come back to bite you in the end in Onitama
Words by Christopher John Eggett
Last month we took a look at Hive, one of our favourite abstract games, and in doing so mentioned Onitama as one of those abstracts that can replace chess for players who are looking for a modernised game that won’t intimidate potential opponents. Onitama is the most ‘chessy’ looking of those we brought up in passing, and even has familiar shapes in some of the moves. For those who don’t want to stray too far from the world of chess, they’ll find a fantastic new home here.
WHAT IS IT?
Chess often gets called a war game. Whether you want to argue about whether that is the case or not, we all agree the point – one side tries to defeat the other by removing their pieces from the board and capturing their leader. Onitama has the same principle at its core, but it’s something completely different in its make up.