Strategy Games

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

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.

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.

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'.

A game for two players. You'll need some counters.

A game for two players. You'll need some counters and somewhere to draw a board.

A shunting puzzle for 1 person. Swop the positions of the counters at the top and bottom of the board.

A game for 2 players that can be played online. Players take it in turns to select a word from the 9 words given. The aim is to select all the occurrences of the same letter.

A game for 2 players. This could be played outside with people instead of counters. Try to trap or escape from your opponent.

A fun game for two. You'll need some counters.

A game for 2 people. Take turns placing a counter on the star. You win when you have completed a line of 3 in your colour.

A game for 1 person to develop stategy and shape and space awareness. 12 counters are placed on a board. Counters are removed one at a time. The aim is to be left with only 1 counter.

A game for 2 players with similarities to NIM. Place one counter on each spot on the games board. Players take it is turns to remove 1 or 2 adjacent counters. The winner picks up the last counter.

A game for 2 players. Take turns to place a counter so that it occupies one of the lowest possible positions in the grid. The first player to complete a line of 4 wins.

An extension of noughts and crosses in which the grid is enlarged and the length of the winning line can to altered to 3, 4 or 5.

Try to stop your opponent from being able to split the piles of counters into unequal numbers. Can you find a strategy?

An animation that helps you understand the game of Nim.