Project GIPF

Does anyone own any of these?

I have two on order (tzaar, zertz) which I'll doubtless bring to the club once ze germans get them to me. Would be keen to try others.

If you don't know what I'm talking about: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/527/gipf/linkeditems/integrateswith

What attracted you to these? American Scott has YINSH.

Sam wrote:What attracted you to these? American Scott has YINSH.

I've been playing some Hive recently and fancied some more abstracts. I also have Tash Kalar en route to me, which I reckon would be up your alley.

Part of the appeal is that I can watch a 4 min video on youtube to learn how to play and don't need to read a rulebook. I can then play the game in a short space of time, and can leave it out on the table, to sneak in another game after dinner, without taking up too much space. Easy access, but with a rabbit hole of depth to dive into if/when you want to.

Words like 'elegant' and 'minimalist' spring to mind. Which can be a nice antidote to a lot of the stuff we play.

Well I've played Tzaar a few times now, and it's a very simple game which most people can probably enjoy. I certainly am doing. For comparison, it's simpler than hive and at least as accessible. There's also plenty of depth in there though, with some pretty brain burning end game possibilities.

Thanks to Scott for bringing Yinsh along and showing me how to play it. Scott said he feels like he's just scratching the surface with it, while I said I felt like I was watching someone else scratch the surface. Certainly a much steeper learning curve*, but I do want to play again.

*I'm not sure a game has ever made me feel quite as stupid. At least in chess and go (both games i can play, but only very poorly) I have some idea what a good situation might look like and how you could get to that position if they let you. In Yinsh I know neither. My first game made me feel like a 2D person trying to navigate through a 3D world. But I want to go back!

Unnecessary asterisk.

Play you at Tzaar next week?

Sam wrote:Unnecessary asterisk.

Play you at Tzaar next week?

*I*f* *I* *c*a*n* *make *i*t* *d*own*,* *I'll *bring *it*.

Language is equal parts necessity and art*.

*
Just five moves from now
My opponent has the win
I have him in six
*
(A Haiku on abstracts)

Tzaar and Yinsh look intriguing. I'm not usually one for abstracts, but I'd be interested in seeing them played.

I also have Zertz on order. I don't have enough genuinely abstract games in my collection, and liked the look of this one... I fully expect to be terrible at this game.

I might have purchased the last copy of gipf from chaos cards.

Where do have zertz ordered?

Ant, welcome to a game some time

psychomansam wrote:I might have purchased the last copy of gipf from chaos cards.

Where do have zertz ordered?

Ant,  welcome to a game some time

I ordered it from a guy in Italy via the geekmarket. Taking his sweet time to despatch it though.

I now also have Dvonn. Looks good!

I now have:
Gipf (not bad on it's own, but designed to be played with expansions - need to try this more)
Zertz - great game that's super-portable and often in my bag/car/other half's handbag.
Tzaar - really brilliant classic abstract. If you play less than well, you lose quickly. More even games develop some great tactics.
Dvonn - Have played a few times and it's very good - I might even prefer it to Tzaar. Feels more innovative, less classic in style
Tamsk - unplayed, but looks like stressful time-pressured fun. Volunteers?

Don't have:
Yinsh - probably not my favourite, but do want to play it more - certainly a good game.
Punct - the one I'm least excited by - but still moderately keen to try
Lyngk - the new one! Looks really interesting. All reports are good. Very keen, but hoping the price comes down slightly.

Other abstracts:
Go - I plan on playing more of this. Supposedly the oldest living game  - and for good reason.
Gorogo - a tiny, super-portable twist on Go - nice.
Hive pocket - indispensible portability and a great game
Kamisado travel edition - nice colourful abstract, very quick playing with some interesting tactics. A good brain-expander.
Kamisado max - haven't played  the 'max' features yet, but looks good!
Pentago - a very aesthetic and basic coffee-table games with a nice 'twist'.
Pylos - b.e.a.u.tiful. And a nice little game too.
Khet - the laser game. Yes, lasers! Super non-portable sadly.
Barragon - unplayed.

Borderline:
Han - a quick-playing area control / route game that really needs 3 or 5 players. Went down well with 5 at the club.
Taluva - one of the most good-looking games out there - is anything more aesthetic? Great tile-laying multiplayer.
Tash-Kalar - all hail Vlaada! The genius designer combines card playing with an abstract board.