Episode 36

Patrick and Eric discuss "Abstract Games"

“Abstract” from BGG:

"Abstract game" often refers to games of perfect information with alternating turns and no randomness; usually for 2 players. e.g. Chess or Go.

It is also often used to refer to a game without a theme (regardless of the game mechanics). E.g. Backgammon or Tantrix.

It is also often used to refer to games that are "mostly" perfect information and "mostly" lacking in theme (leading to even more confusion and disagreement about whether a given game is an "abstract game" or not).

Classics:

• Checkers
• Chess
• Xiangqi
• Go
• Mancala
• Reversi/Othello (1883)

Modern:

• Gipf Series (Gipf, Yinch, etc)
• Shobu
• Canosa
• Tak
• Blokus
• Amazons
• Onitama
• Quoridor 
• Quarto
• Quantik

Abstracts with Theme:

• Battle Sheep
• Patchwork
• Hive
• Santorini

Abstracts with Luck:

• Backgammon
• Nova Luna
• Qwirkle
• Number 9
• Ingenious

Abstracts with Theme and Luck:

• Azul and sequels
• War Chest
• The Duke
• Calico
• Seikatsu