Game 31: Quarto

 What a great game - a game of pure strategy!  I'm so glad we've decided to play through all the games on our shelves.  This is one that we used to play frequently, but that was decades ago.  This is another game (like Quoridor) in which the rules are as simple as can be, but in which the strategy is very tricky.  The goal is to get 4 pieces with a matching characteristic in a row - for instance, 4 squares or 4 flat-tops or 4 lights.  The twist is that you do not pick your own piece to place; you pick the piece for your opponent.  It can get hard to keep track of what is safe to hand off since there are multiple characteristics to keep track of - short or tall, dark or light, flat-topped or indented, square or round.
 Below are pictures of our game tonight as it played out.

Notice that David kept his finger on the piece above - looking very carefully before allowing that move to stand! We actually ended up with a draw, which I have never seen happen before in all the times we played it in years past.  It is the case however that each of us made a mistake towards the end, and the other person let it be taken back.  We wanted to see what would happen if we hadn't made those mistakes.  I hope to keep this game out over the next few days to continue playing.
As you can see, this game has won many awards, and they are richly deserved!

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