Ancient gaming at its finest
Originating over 2,500 years ago in the Middle East, Alquerque stands as one of the oldest board games still enjoyed today. Its lasting popularity underscores its universal appeal and the benefits it offers, such as boosting strategic thinking and enhancing problem-solving abilities. Throughout history, Alquerque has been a favorite pastime for both royalty and everyday people, often featured in social gatherings and royal courts.
Moreover, Alquerque strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and depth; it's easy to learn yet offers complex strategies that provide a fulfilling and intellectually engaging experience for players of all skill levels.
How to Play: Rules and Gameplay
Alquerque is a strategic two-player game that serves as the ancestor of modern checkers. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you master this classic game:
Objective:
The goal of Alquerque is to capture all of your opponent’s pieces or block their movements, leaving them with no valid moves.
Setup
- Players: Two
- Players decide who goes first by tossing a coin.
- The black player places their 12 pieces on the 10 points of the nearest two rows plus the two rightmost points on the middle row from their perspective.
- The white player places their 12 pieces in the same manner, mirroring the black player's setup.
- This arrangement leaves only the central point empty at the start of the game.
- Bonus Tip: The game rules are attached, allowing everyone to see how it’s played. The leather can be folded to conceal the rules when desired.
Gameplay
The player who wins the coin toss makes the first move
Moving Pieces:
- Players take turns to move one piece per turn.
- A piece may only move along the lines connecting the points on the board.
- Ordinary Move: Move a piece to an adjacent vacant point along the lines.
- Capturing Move: If a piece is adjacent to an opponent’s piece and the point immediately beyond it is vacant, you can capture the opponent’s piece by jumping over it to the vacant point. The captured piece is then removed from the board.
- Multiple Captures: After a capture, if the piece is in a position to make another capture, it must do so immediately. This can continue until no further captures are possible.
- Forward-Only Movement: Pieces cannot move backwards; they can only move sideways, forwards, or diagonally forwards. Once a piece reaches the final row, it may only move by capturing sideways.
Winning the Game
- Victory by Capture: Capture all of your opponent’s pieces.
- Victory by Blockade: Render your opponent unable to make any valid moves.
- Victory by Superiority: If it becomes apparent that no more captures can be made and one player has more pieces than the other, the player with more pieces wins.
Dimensions
Width of the leather board: 29.7 cm / 11.7 inches.
Height: 42.0 cm / 16.5 inches.
Coin Diameter: 2 cm / 0.8 inches.
TAKE IT EVERYWHERE
The game rolls up neatly, making it easy to take anywhere. It includes a small pouch to hold the coins.
Tips for Success
- Control the Center: Dominating the central points provides greater mobility and strategic advantages.
- Plan Ahead: Anticipate your opponent’s moves and develop strategies that limit their options.
- Balance Offense and Defense: While capturing opponent pieces is crucial, protecting your own pieces is equally important to maintain your position on the board.
Embrace the legacy of Alquerque and experience a game that has been cherished across generations. Perfect for family activities, friendly competitions, and strategic enthusiasts, Alquerque is your gateway to the ancient gaming experience.