Jetan (1922) – Board Game Guys

Martian chess

Martian Chess is an abstract strategy game for two or four players invented by Andrew Looney in 1999. It is played with Icehouse pyramids on a chessboard. The game was one of four games in the Icehouse: The Martian Chess Set released by Looney Labs in 1999. The set was Looney Labs’s first Icehouse release and first to showcase its potential as a game system. The other three games were IceTowers, IceTraders, and Zarcana. Martian Chess was based on Monochrome Chess, another two-player game that uses regular chess pieces where the half of the board determined who controlled a piece.

Why is Martian chess Popular?

Martian Chess is an original game with novel tactics and strategy. It has won the Origins Award for Best Abstract Board Game of 2000. The game is popular among abstract strategy game enthusiasts and fans of the Icehouse game system.

Game Components of Jetan

Board: A square board with 100 alternate black and orange squares.

Pieces: 20 pieces per player, including Warrior, Padwar, Dwar, Flier (or Odwar), Chief, Princess, Thoat, and Panthan.

How To Setup Jetan

The game starts with the pieces arranged in a specific order on the board. The Black pieces are set up on the south side, and the Orange pieces on the north. The first rank includes, from left to right, the Warrior, Padwar, Dwar, Flier (or Odwar), Chief, Princess, and then the same pieces in reverse order. The second rank features the Thoat and Panthans.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Moves:
– Each piece has unique movement rules (e.g., Warrior moves 2 spaces orthogonally, Padwar moves 2 spaces diagonally).
– Some pieces can jump over others (e.g., Flier, Princess).

Capture:
– A piece captures by landing on an occupied square, removing the opponent’s piece.

Winning Conditions:
– The game is won by placing any piece on the opponent’s Princess or by the Chief capturing the opponent’s Chief.

Draw Conditions:
– The game is drawn if both sides are reduced to three pieces of equal value, including the Chief and Princess, and the game is not won in the next ten moves.

Player Experience

Jetan is known for its slower pace compared to chess, particularly in the opening phase, due to the larger board and shorter range of the pieces. However, this makes Jetan more forgiving, allowing players to recover from early mistakes. The game requires strategic thinking and patience, making it suitable for players who enjoy meditative play.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Despite its slower pace, Jetan offers complex strategies and tactics, especially involving the powerful but vulnerable Chief and Princess pieces.

Unique Pieces: Each piece has distinct movements, adding a layer of complexity and variety to the game.

Thematic Appeal: For fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs and science fiction, the Martian setting and unique pieces add a rich thematic element.

Cons

Complex Rules: The rules can be cumbersome and have ambiguities, requiring careful interpretation and possibly rule modifications for smoother gameplay.

Slow Pace: The game’s slower pace may not appeal to players who prefer faster-paced games like chess.

Personal Thoughts on Jetan

Jetan is for enthusiasts of chess variants and fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ works. It offers a unique gaming experience that combines strategy with a rich thematic backdrop. While it may not be for everyone due to its complexities and slower pace, it is a fascinating game that rewards patience and strategic thinking. For those who enjoy delving into the nuances of game mechanics and are looking for a game that stands out from traditional chess, Jetan is certainly worth exploring.

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