Fanorona^*

Fanorona is an abstract two-player strategy game from the island of Madagascar, where it is still played with great enthusiasm today. If you enjoy checkers or nine men's morris and want a tougher puzzle, this ancient duel delivers surprising turns in spades.

What is it about?

The game uses a rectangular board formed from two joined Alquerque grids. At the start it is almost completely filled with black and white stones, leaving only the central point open. That single empty spot drives the opening moves and gives the starting position its dense, loaded feel.

How it plays

Stones move along the lines onto an adjacent empty point. Capturing is mandatory, and a single stone may sweep an entire chain of enemy pieces off the board in one turn. There are two ways to capture:

• Approach: the stone moves toward a line of enemy pieces and takes them.
• Withdrawal: the stone moves away from an enemy line and removes it in the process.

Because both directions can be available at once, a game often swings in a single move, and a few stones frequently capture many. A decisive game is followed by the "vela partie," a penalty round that gives the loser a rematch against a handicapped winner.

Who is it for?

For two people who love abstract strategy and enjoy rules that are quick to learn but deep to master. Luck plays no part, and every mistake counts.

Conclusion

Minimal components, an enormous tactical space: Fanorona rewards foresight and punishes carelessness at once. Fans of pure thinking games will love it, while anyone after light family fun should reach for something breezier.