Kensington (1979) Board Game

Kensington is a board game that was first released in in 1979. It is designed for 2-6 players, with a best player count of 2. The game has a runtime of around 20 minutes and is recommended for players aged 7 and up. The designers of Kensington are Peter Forbes and Brian Taylor, with artwork provided by several artists including Arxon, Canada Games Company Ltd., and Crown & Andrews Ltd.

Game Components of Kensington

Gameboard: Composed of seven regular hexagons (2 red, 2 blue, and 3 white), thirty squares, and twenty-four triangles, totaling 72 vertices.

Tokens: Fifteen red and fifteen blue counters.

Instructions: Included in the original package, often printed on the inside and rear of the game’s unique album-like packaging.

How To Setup Kensington

To set up Kensington, the board is placed empty of counters. Players alternate turns placing their tokens on unoccupied vertices until each player has placed all 15 of their tokens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Placement Phase: Players alternately place their tokens on unoccupied vertices until each has placed 15 tokens.

Movement Phase: Players alternately slide a single token of their color along a line to an adjacent unoccupied vertex.

Mills and Double Mills: A player forms a mill by occupying the three vertices of a triangle or a double mill by occupying the four vertices of a square, allowing them to relocate one or two of the opponent’s tokens, respectively.

Objective: The first player to occupy all six vertices of either a white hexagon or a hexagon of their own color wins.

Game End: If a player cannot move, the other player continues moving until the first player can move again or until the game is won or drawn.

Player Experience

Playing Kensington involves a delicate balance of strategy and tactical maneuvering. The game is known for its elegant simplicity and complex depth, similar to nine men’s morris but more sophisticated. The debate over whether to place first or second adds a layer of strategy, as the second player gets to place last but the first player moves first in the sliding phase. Forming mills and double mills is crucial, as it allows players to scatter their opponent’s tokens and secure a winning position.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers complex and nuanced gameplay.

Unique Board: Based on an ancient Islamic tessellation pattern, adding a touch of historical and cultural intrigue.

Simple to Learn: Easy to understand the basic rules, but challenging to master.

Compact Packaging: The original 1979 edition came in a unique album-like package.

Cons

Out of Print: The game is no longer in production, making it harder to find new copies.

Limited Attention: Despite initial press attention and a UK Game of the Year award, the game’s popularity was short-lived.

Steep Learning Curve: While the rules are simple, mastering the game requires practice and strategic thinking.

Personal Thoughts on Kensington

Kensington is ideal for fans of abstract strategy games who appreciate both simplicity and depth. It is a game that rewards thoughtful planning and quick tactical decisions. For those who enjoy games like Chess or Go, Kensington offers a fresh challenge with its unique board pattern and mechanics. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers looking for a quick, light-hearted experience, as it demands a certain level of commitment and strategic thinking.

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