Alquerque (1000)

Alquerque

Alquerque is a strategy board game that is thought to have originated in the Middle East and is considered to be the parent of draughts (US: checkers) and Fanorona. The game first appears in literature late in the 10th century when Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani mentioned Qirkat in his 24-volume work Kitab al-Aghani (“Book of Songs”). This work, however, made no mention of the rules of the game. The game was documented in the book “Libro de los Juegos”, or the “Book of Games”, commissioned by Alfonso X of Castile in 1283. Spanish settlers in New Mexico introduced a four-player variant of Alquerque to the Zuni.

Why is Alquerque Popular?

Alquerque is significant because it is considered to be the parent of draughts (US: checkers) and Fanorona. It is also thousands of years old and has remained a popular pastime for most of recorded history.

Game Components of Alquerque

Alquerque boardTwo sets of 12 playing pieces (each set should be a different color)

Game Setup of Alquerque

The board is a series of straight and diagonal lines that intersect at 25 points.There are two sets of 12 playing pieces, each a different color, one set for each player.

Gameplay Mechanics of Alquerque

Players take turns to move one of their pieces with movement only allowed along the lines inscribed upon the board.Players can take their opponent’s pieces simply by hopping over them onto a vacant point beyond.The game of Alquerque is won by the player who first manages to take all his opponent’s pieces or by the player who has more pieces when it becomes apparent that no more pieces will be taken.A player can also win by rendering the other player unable to move.

Game Objective of Alquerque

The objective of the game is to be the first to capture the other player’s pieces.

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