Quoridor

Game 11 of our “Fantastically Festive Christmas School Holidays 2023 Marathon” is “Quoridor”, played with Toby (5) and Jack (.8.). Designed by Mirko Marchesi, it was first published in 1997 and is now part of a visually appealing wooden series published by Hatchette.

“Quoridor” is an abstract strategy game where the objective is to move your pawn from one side of the board to the other, one square at a time, moving orthogonally. On your turn, you have two options: move your pawn or place a wall that spans two spaces. The only restriction is that you cannot trap the opponent, ensuring they always have a path to traverse.

In terms of strategy, “Quoridor” is a captivating game of cat and mouse. Players attempt to outmanoeuvre each other, trying to predict moves and baiting their opponents into certain paths. Given the limited number of walls available to each player, there’s potential to run out prematurely, making foresight crucial.

The game is straightforward to explain, yet offers deep strategic gameplay. I own the mini version but have also had the opportunity to play the larger edition, generously donated by Hatchette Games to the school I work at for review purposes. Both versions play identically, though I favour the mini version due to space constraints.

Regarding component quality, the game is fine. The box boasts an attractive design, and the wooden components are of good quality. However, I would prefer the walls to fit snugly without leaning. A minor quibble is the box’s discrepancy: while the box showcases a white grid, the actual board is brown. Personally, a deluxe version with a whiteboard would be particularly enticing.

“Quoridor” shines as an abstract strategy game, suitable for players of all ages. Its simplicity means it can be grasped within seconds, making it a delightful choice even for family gatherings.

For those with a penchant for oversized editions, there’s a GIANT version available!