Board games have been around for centuries and have been enjoyed by people from all walks of life. In Asia, board games have a rich history and continue to be popular today. For Chess lovers looking for something new to try, here are five Asian board games to consider.
1. Mahjong
Mahjong is a game that originated in China and has been around for centuries. The game is played with tiles and involves strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. The objective of the game is to be the first player to complete a winning hand of 14 tiles. Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles until one player has a winning hand.
The tiles in Mahjong are divided into three suits: bamboo, characters, and circles. There are also honor tiles, which include winds and dragons. To win a hand, a player must have a certain combination of tiles, which can include sets of three, four, or five tiles of the same suit or in sequence. It is played with a total of 144 tiles, so there are many possible combinations and strategies to consider.
Mahjong is also quite popular in Japan and people of all ages love it as entertainment. It has recently grown so popular that even you can now play Mahjong in online casinos.
Mahjong is a game that requires patience, skill, and a bit of luck. It can be played with two to four players and is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends and family.
2. Go
Go is a strategic board game that originated in China over 2,500 years ago. It is now popular throughout Asia, particularly in Japan and Korea. The game is played on a board with a 19×19 grid and the objective is to capture territory by placing stones on the board.
Players take turns placing their stones on the intersections of the board. The goal is to surround and capture your opponent’s stones while protecting your own. The game ends when both players pass, and the player with the most territory at the end of the game wins.
Go is a game that requires strategy, patience, and a deep understanding of the game’s principles. It is often referred to as the “hand talk” game because players use their hands to communicate their moves and intentions.
3. Shogi
Shogi is a Japanese board game that is similar to chess. It is played on a board with a 9×9 grid and each player starts with 20 pieces. The objective of the game is to capture your opponent’s king.
Shogi is a game that requires strategy and quick thinking. It is played with pieces that have unique abilities, such as the ability to promote to a stronger piece after reaching the opponent’s side of the board. The game is also unique in that captured pieces can be brought back into the game by the capturing player.
Shogi is popular in Japan and is often played in competitions and tournaments. It is a great game for chess lovers looking for a strategic challenge.
4. Xiangqi
Xiangqi, also known as Chinese chess, is a game that originated in China and is now popular throughout Asia. The game is played on a board with a 9×10 grid and each player starts with 16 pieces.
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent’s general. It is played with pieces that have unique abilities, such as the ability for the cannon piece to jump over other pieces and capture a piece behind it.
Xiangqi is a game that requires strategy and quick thinking. It is often referred to as “the game of the generals” because the general pieces are the most important pieces on the board.
5. Carrom
Carrom is a game that originated in India and is now popular throughout Asia. It is played on a square board with pockets in each corner and players use a striker to hit disks into the pockets.
The objective of the game is to score points by sinking your disks into the pockets. It can be played with two to four players and can be played as singles or doubles.
Carrom is a fun and exciting game that requires skill and precision. It is often played in social settings and is a great way to spend time with friends and family.
Conclusion
Asian board games are a great way to expand your horizons and try something new. Whether you’re a chess lover looking for a new challenge or just looking for a fun way to spend time with friends and family, there’s an Asian board game for everyone.
From the strategic challenges of Mahjong and Go to the fast-paced excitement of Xiangqi and Carrom, they offer something for everyone. So why not give them a try? You might just discover your new favorite game.
