If you had asked me a few years ago about abstract strategy games, I probably would have yawned. The thought of endless rows of black and white stones or geometric wooden pieces lining up in some invisible pattern sounded about as thrilling as watching paint dry. Strategy games, sure—but fun? That was a whole other question. I figured those games were for people who liked math, puzzles, or maybe just enjoyed staring at a board for hours without blinking. Not me.
Skeptical at First: Why I Was Not a Fan
Back in the day, when I thought of abstract strategy games, I imagined cold, cerebral experiences. Chess? Checkers? Go? Solid classics, sure, but also the kind of games where the social part felt a bit… frozen. No theme, no story, just “get your pieces in the right place” and maybe some sweaty moments over a clock.
I love board games that make me laugh, that tell a tale, that surprise me, or even knock me sideways with some clever trick. And most abstract games felt like puzzles that didn’t care about me. I did not see how moving a black stone three spaces could feel anything but math.
Yet, I kept hearing whispers in the board game community about weird little gems that bend those rules. They claimed some abstract strategy games had heart. They said a few could change your whole mind.
Game 1: Azul — When Art and Strategy Collide
First up, Azul. I was reluctant. A tile-drafting, pattern-building game sounded pretty dry. But the art! Oh, the tiles look like tiny stained glass windows. It is like Tiffany lamps came alive on my table.
Playing Azul was like dancing with colors and patterns. You pick tiles from a communal area and try to complete rows on your board, scoring points as you go. Sounds simple? Yes, but the way you snatch tiles out from under other players, gamble on what will come next, or block someone’s perfect run is wildly satisfying.
The thing that surprised me was how Azul made me feel. I was calm, but also a little fierce. It is a game of patience and bold moves. The art and the play blended so well that I found myself smiling even when I lost. No complex story, no characters, yet the experience was beautiful and magnetic. Azul reminded me abstract strategy games could be about aesthetics and emotions, not just cold tactics.
Game 2: YINSH — Abstract Elegance With a Twist
YINSH is like the chess of the modern age—elegant, minimal, but with layers you do not see at first glance. It comes from the *GIPF* series of abstract games, which are known mostly to hardcore enthusiasts, so it flew under my radar for years.
The board is simple, and you move rings around trying to line up five markers in a row. What makes it clever is that every time you form a line, you remove one of your rings. When you lose all your rings, you lose the game. Odd, right? Usually, games are about gaining pieces, not losing your own to win.
Playing YINSH felt like a mental chess match with a pinch of Zen meditation. The paradox of removing pieces to win was baffling at first, but I loved the mental gymnastics. It made me realize abstract games could be deeply inventive, playing with expectations and twisting ideas I thought I already understood.
Plus, it was fast. Quick turns, quick thinking, so no chance to get bored. I actually found myself wishing I could play longer, which was a shock.
Game 3: Onitama — The Little Game That Packed a Punch
Onitama is like if chess and kung fu had a quiet, thoughtful baby. It is set on a 5×5 grid, with each player controlling five pieces, but the magic lies in the movement cards.
You only have two cards at a time, and those cards show how you can move your pieces. After you move, you pass the card to your opponent. Suddenly, you are constantly trying to guess and outthink your rival, anticipating what moves they will have next. It is a brilliant, simple system that keeps you on your toes.
When I learned that Onitama was designed to be fast, fair, and fun for all ages, I realized abstract strategy need not be heavy or intimidating. It was fresh, light, and social. The rules fit on one page, so I did not have to study a novel before playing. And yet, it still had enough depth to keep me interested.
The beauty of Onitama is that it reminded me: sometimes, less is more. A game does not need complexity to be good. It just needs heart and purpose.
Game 4: Tak — Magic in Simplicity
Tak is a newer one, inspired by a story in Patrick Rothfuss’s *Kingkiller Chronicle* books. I stumbled on it by accident—reading the novels, I heard about the game, then found the rules online. It promised to be a simple but deep abstract game where players try to build a road connecting opposite sides of the board.
Turns out, Tak is so much more than a road-building race. You place stones that can stack and move in interesting ways, creating a landscape that changes every turn. The game flows like a dance, with pieces moving smoothly, building tension as the road stretches and twists.
What moved me about Tak is that it was invented to capture something ephemeral: the feeling of connection. I found that poetic, and it made playing feel like telling a story without words. It showed me abstract games can have soul, even when they have almost no theme.
The Takeaway: Why I Changed My Mind
These games, among others, made me realize that abstract strategy is not a frozen, joyless corner of board gaming. It is a playground for ideas, emotions, and surprises.
What really shifted my thinking was that I stopped expecting abstract games to be one thing. Instead, I saw they could be many things: beautiful, clever, fast, slow, emotional, goofy, or elegant. They did not have to be “just chess.” They could be art. They could be a conversation. They could be a silent challenge between friends.
If you, like me, thought abstract games were not your thing, maybe you just had not met the right ones yet. And if you have dipped your toes but got bored, try a different approach. Forget about “winning” or “losing” and just feel the game. Let the moves speak to you.
Board games are all about connection—connecting with people, ideas, or just the thrill of a well-played move. Abstract strategy games have plenty of that, if you look beyond the surface.
Bonus List: A Few More Hidden Gems to Try
- YINSH — As already mentioned, deep but surprisingly quick.
- Havannah — A hex-based game like a combination of Go and connection games.
- GIPF — The whole series is fascinating; each game brings a fresh twist.
- Quoridor — A simple race game with walls that block your path.
- Shobu — Two boards, one move at a time—minimalist and strategic.
Each of these plays with the idea of strategy in a way that surprises you and, if you let it, invites you in.
So, what do you say? Ready to give some of these a shot and let your opinion change like mine did? You might find they are not just games—you might find they are little stories waiting to be told, one clever move at a time.