Arimaa is a deep strategy game played on a 8x8 board, with pieces that can be intuitively swapped 1:1 with chess pieces.
Some of the nice things about the game, from the free to play website/server http://arimaa.com/arimaa .
- Rules are simple, intuitive and easy to learn.
- Due to the enormous number of choices on each move (over 17,000) the game feels much more open and exercises creative thinking.
- No possibility of draws; every match is settled with one of the players winning.
- Equal winning chances for both players. Neither side has a distinguishable advantage.
- No need to memorize openings since the starting position is not fixed. Requires on the spot thinking rather than memorization.
Why are Arimaa games fun to watch?
- Spectators are not disappointed by early or eventual draws, since draws are not possible.
- Uses time controls that keep the game moving without rushing the players.
- Nature of the game allows come backs resulting in dramatic and suspenseful games.
How to play the game: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_nGecwCDnk
A match from a players perspective, with reasoning given move-by-move:
(this is supposed to be a playlist, see www.youtube.com/user/arimaa2/playlists for the rest)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YynE3zbQARM&list=PL291524CAA7778512
A high level match with third party commentary:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjGmfP9GoKw
Some of the nice things about the game, from the free to play website/server http://arimaa.com/arimaa .
- Rules are simple, intuitive and easy to learn.
- Due to the enormous number of choices on each move (over 17,000) the game feels much more open and exercises creative thinking.
- No possibility of draws; every match is settled with one of the players winning.
- Equal winning chances for both players. Neither side has a distinguishable advantage.
- No need to memorize openings since the starting position is not fixed. Requires on the spot thinking rather than memorization.
Why are Arimaa games fun to watch?
- Spectators are not disappointed by early or eventual draws, since draws are not possible.
- Uses time controls that keep the game moving without rushing the players.
- Nature of the game allows come backs resulting in dramatic and suspenseful games.
How to play the game: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_nGecwCDnk
A match from a players perspective, with reasoning given move-by-move:
(this is supposed to be a playlist, see www.youtube.com/user/arimaa2/playlists for the rest)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YynE3zbQARM&list=PL291524CAA7778512
A high level match with third party commentary:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjGmfP9GoKw