TZAAR

I've been playing a lot of abstract strategy games lately, and TZAAR has quickly become one of my favorites. It's part of the GIPF Project series, which are all designed by the brilliant Kris Burm. I started with TZAAR, and I'm glad I did because it's a great introduction to the series.

The game is simple to learn but incredibly strategic. You have 30 pieces, divided into three types: Tzaars, Tzarras, and Totts. The goal is to either make your opponent run out of one of the three types of pieces or put them in a position where they can't capture anymore. The trick is that you can either capture your opponent's pieces to make them weaker, or you can jump on top of your own pieces to make yourself stronger. It's a constant battle of deciding whether to be aggressive or defensive.

I love how TZAAR feels like a more advanced version of checkers. It's got that same basic concept of moving pieces and capturing opponents, but with a lot more depth and strategy. The hexagonal grid is also a nice touch, as it adds a bit of a disorienting element that makes the game even more interesting.

If you're looking for a fun, strategic, and challenging two-player game, TZAAR is definitely worth checking out. It's a great game for people of all skill levels, and I think it's one that you can keep coming back to again and again.