Quoridor is a fast moving game of strategy that can be played by either 2 or 4 players. Because the rules are simple to follow, the game is recommended for players as young as 6 years and up. The simplicity of the game play should not suggest lack of depth, though. Some of the best games are those which test and grow the mind of players of all ages. Quoridor does just this with its few guidelines, pieces, and board.
The game has won multiple awards. To name a few, it was chosen as one of Mensa’s top five best games, won Best Game of the Year (USA and other countries), and awarded the Parent’s Choice Gold Award. Based on his earlier 70’s game creation called Blocade, Mirko Marchesi invented the play of Quoridor and has offered players a challenging new game for players.
Quoridor consists of a 9×9 (81 square spaces) board with grooves around each square for the placement of 20 Wall pieces, if used by players. Each Wall blocks 2 square spaces.
To play a two player game, each person receives a pawn and 10 Wall pieces. The object is to be the first player to move his pawn from the center of his first row of squares, to any of the squares on the opposite side of his opponent’s.
On a player’s turn, he may choose to either move his pawn on the board one space (forward or backward horizontally or vertically, but not diagonally) in attempts to get closer to the objective, or place a Wall to hinder his opponent.
Player’s place Walls in line with two squares. They cannot completely block the path of a player, but can force a player to change his movement. They could even be used to help a player’s movements.
A game with four players is the same except players receive only 5 Walls to start. Plus, since there are more pawns on the board, a player can still only jump over one pawn (and not through Walls), like in a two player game. He is not allowed to jump over two or three pawns.
Quoridor can be played within 20 minutes or so. During each game, a player learns different strategies to apply towards the next. This evolving game play makes for great repeat play. Children and adult players keep challenging themselves because each game takes on new characteristics. That is one of the reasons why it is such a fantastic game.
Developing and teaching skills, Quoridor makes a great game to play with children and keeps old ones in shape for adults!