ZÈRTZ
An impartial abstract strategy game with forced captures and a shrinking board.
ZÈRTZ is part of a seven-game abstract strategy series called the GIPF Project. Its board shrinks during play, and its object encourages sacrifice combinations. Because neither player controls any pieces on the board, the game is impartial, and holding the initiative is critically important.
Quick Facts
- Designer
- Kris Burm
- Publisher
- Rio Grande Games
- Don & Co.
- Schmidt Spiele
- Date
- 2000
- Players
- 2
- Ages
- 8 and up
- Setup time
- 2 minutes
- Playing time
- 30 minutes
- Skills
- Strategy
Facts from the source article.
Rules
The playing pieces consist of six white, eight gray, and ten black marbles, along with 37 rings for the standard game, each ring capable of holding a marble. Newer versions include 49 rings, and the GIPF Set 2 expansion adds 12 additional rings for larger boards. Advanced and tournament players may use up to 61 rings, requiring the expansion. Players arrange the rings on a flat surface as a packed hexagon; with 37 rings, this forms a perfect hexagon with four rings per side. Marbles are placed in a shared pool. The objective is to capture a majority of one color (four white, five gray, or six black marbles) or three marbles of each color. Players determine who goes first. On each turn, a player must either jump or drop; if a jump is available, it is mandatory. Jumping involves capturing one or more marbles by moving a marble over an adjacent marble into a free space on the opposite side, similar to Checkers. The jumping player captures any jumped marbles and must continue jumping with the same marble as long as further jumps are possible; if multiple directions are available, the player chooses. No rings are removed on a jumping turn. Dropping means placing a new marble on the board and removing one free ring.
Strategy
Sacrifice is the core strategy in ZÈRTZ. Since a player is forced to capture when possible, a common tactic is to arrange moves so the opponent must capture a low-importance piece, repositioning other pieces for the first player to capture higher-value pieces. Sacrifices also help arrange pieces and gain time for capture by isolation. Games often end with one player forcing the other into repeated jumps, securing victory through isolation.
Variants
A short Blitz version uses a reduced set of five white, seven gray, and nine black marbles, with the goal of capturing a majority of one set (three whites, four grays, or five blacks) or two of each color. This variant is described in the original edition as the basic rules. Another variant uses 11 extra rings, forming an irregular hexagon with sides alternating between four and five rings, which is the current standard for serious tournament play. A further variant uses 24 extra rings, creating a regular hexagon with five rings per side, suggested as a future tournament standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published ZÈRTZ?
ZÈRTZ was published by Rio Grande Games, Don & Co. and Schmidt Spiele.
Who designed ZÈRTZ?
ZÈRTZ was designed by Kris Burm.
More in Mensa Select Winners
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced