List

Games from around the world

Here's a selection of strategy games from around the world for you to play over the 'Olympic' summer when athletes from many nations will be gathering in Rio for the 2016 Olympics. 

Try playing outdoors - at the park, on the beach, in the garden - and use stones, pebbles, shells or acorns for 'counters'.

See if you can find a winning strategy - can you an become the Achi champion, for example, amongst your family and friends? 

Each game is great for developing 'gold-medal' strategic thinking muscles - enjoy!

Sz'kwa
game

Sz'kwa

This Chinese game for two players is a simple version of Wei ch'i or Go. Each player has 20 distinctive pieces - try coins, pebbles, shells. You could try marking the board out in wet sand.
Mulinello Quadrupio
game

Mulinello quadrupio

A game from Italy. Play with a friend and see if you can be the first to get five pieces in a line.
Pumpkin Patch
game

Pumpkin patch

A game for two players based on a game from the Somali people of Africa. The first player to pick all the other's 'pumpkins' is the winner.
Mu Torere
game

Mu torere

Try playing this game from New Zealand at the beach by drawing the board in the sand. Find an opponent and see if you can win by ending up with your shell in the centre space.
Seega
game

Seega

An ancient game for two from Egypt. You'll need twelve distinctive 'stones' each to play. You could chalk out the board on the ground - do ask permission first.
Alquerque
game

Alquerque

This game for two, was played in ancient Egypt as far back as 1400 BC. The game was taken by the Moors to Spain, where it is mentioned in 13th century manuscripts, and the Spanish name Alquerque derives from the Arabic El- quirkat. Watch out for being 'huffed'.
Two Stones
game

Two stones

This game is known as Pong hau k'i in China and Ou-moul-ko-no in Korea. Why not challenge a friend to play it with you?

What English games would you add to this collection? 

What is your favourite strategy game? 

Can you find some more strategy games from other countries?