Chinese Chess from 1981 is one of those vintage games that looks simple at first glance, but it’s packed with clever strategy and tactical thinking. It’s a two-player game that plays a bit like checkers and a bit like chess, but with its own unique rules that make it stand out.
Each player jumps, slides and captures pieces, racing to be the first to collect 13. It’s quick to learn, but every round plays out differently depending on the moves you make.
How to Play: Start by setting up the red and yellow pieces on the board as shown. Players take turns moving pieces by jumping over others (either same colour or different, depending on your tactic). You can also slide pieces instead of jumping if needed. You get extra turns for landing on coloured spaces after a jump, and you can chain multiple jumps together. The first player to capture 13 pieces wins!
It’s fast, fun, and really gets you thinking ahead with each move.
Why Rent This Game: This is a cracking little strategy game, especially if you’re after something that’s different from your usual board game night picks. It’s quick to set up, fun for adults and older kids, and the red-and-yellow colour design makes it really stand out on the table. Perfect if you like games where your next move really matters.
