Stratego

Stratego is a complex strategy board wargame designed for two players.

It utilizes a 10×10 grid of squares to simulate a battlefield. Each player manages an army consisting of 40 unique pieces. These pieces represent various officer and soldier ranks through a specific numbering scheme. The pieces often feature Napoleonic insignia to reinforce the military theme. Unlike chess, where all pieces are visible, Stratego relies on imperfect information. This means players must use psychology, bluffing, and deduction to succeed. The primary objective is to capture the opponent's Flag. Alternatively, a player wins by capturing all movable enemy pieces to prevent further moves.

To begin, players choose colors, typically red and blue.

Each player arranges their 40 pieces into a 4×10 configuration at their end of the board. A critical rule is that ranks must be printed on only one side. Pieces are placed facing down so opponents cannot identify them. Players are forbidden from placing pieces in the center of the board. This area contains two 2×2 zones that represent lakes. These lakes serve as impassable choke points that force direct frontal assaults. The initial setup is a vital strategic phase that influences the entire game.

Gameplay follows a turn-based structure where players alternate moves.

Red typically moves first, though this does not significantly impact the outcome. On each turn, a player must move exactly one piece. Most pieces move only one step vertically or horizontally. Diagonal movement is not permitted for standard ranks. The Scout is a notable exception to this rule. A Scout can move any number of spaces in a straight line. However, it cannot leap over other pieces or the lake zones. In modern versions, a Scout can move and strike in the same turn.

Combat occurs through a process called a "strike." A player initiates a strike by moving their piece onto a square occupied by an opponent.

Both players then reveal the rank of their respective pieces. The piece with the higher rank wins the engagement. The losing piece is removed from the board. If both pieces possess an equal rank, both are removed from play. Some pieces possess specialized abilities that override standard rank hierarchies. For example, the Spy is the weakest piece but can capture the Marshal. Conversely, the Bomb is an immobile piece that destroys most attacking units.

The army is divided into immobile and mobile pieces. Each player has seven immobile pieces: six Bombs and one Flag. The remaining 33 pieces are mobile. The ranks follow a strict hierarchy from the Marshal down to the Spy.

The Marshal is the most powerful piece, while the Spy is the weakest. Miners serve a specialized role by being the only pieces capable of defusing Bombs. The ranks were historically numbered differently depending on the region. In original United States versions, the Marshal was rank 1. In versions released after 2000, the numbering was inverted, making the Marshal rank 10.

Stratego has a rich history tied to earlier tabletop games. It is a modified version of an early 20th-century French game called L'Attaque. The name "Stratego" is derived from the Greek word *strategos*, meaning a leader of an army.

The trademark was first registered in the Netherlands in 1942. It has been produced in Europe since World War II. The game reached the United States in 1961. Some historians note similarities to Japanese Military Chess, known as Gunjin Shogi, which has been played since 1895. These connections highlight a long tradition of military-themed strategy gaming.

The game's complexity is reflected in its mathematical possibilities. An average game lasts approximately 381 moves. There are 10,115 legal positions possible on the board. Furthermore, the number of possible games is estimated at 10^535.

These figures demonstrate a depth far exceeding games like backgammon. While a single error in chess can lead to immediate loss, Stratego players often think in "games, not moves." This perspective allows for long-term planning despite the uncertainty of hidden ranks. Today, the International Stratego Federation even sponsors an annual World Championship.