8.4
rating
Ludopedia
7.2
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
For pure strategy lovers and lifelong mental challenges. Chess disguised as an animal game, with controlled chaos.
Highlights
- Simple rules, endless depth
- Brain-burning satisfaction
- Uses standard chess pieces
- Stumped AIs for 13 years
Keep in mind
- May intimidate beginners
- Long matches (60+ min)
- 2-player only
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Arimaa is an abstract strategy game that looks deceptively simple but hides insane depth. You command an animal army (elephants, camels, horses, dogs, cats, and rabbits) on an 8x8 grid, aiming to sneak a rabbit to the opposite side. Sounds easy? Well, stronger animals can freeze, push, or pull weaker ones — plus there are traps that remove pieces. Each turn, you distribute 4 'steps' among your pieces, creating a strategic ballet of movements and blocks. Designed in 2002 by AI engineer Omar Syed to be harder for computers than chess (he succeeded: AIs only beat top humans in 2015!). The beauty lies in simple rules combined with endless possibilities — teachable in 5 minutes but taking years to master. Bonus: it uses standard chess pieces, so you can easily improvise a game.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Where to Buy
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
(Self-Published), Z-Man Games
Designer
Aamir Syed, Omar Syed
Artist
Karim Chakroun
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
1,067owners
377wishlist
46want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How long does a game take?
Around 60 minutes, but expert matches can run longer. The learning curve is steep!
Do I need a special board?
Nope! A standard chessboard works. Just mark 4 trap squares (use coins or stickers).
Is it kid-friendly?
The animal theme helps, but strategic depth goes beyond. Best for patient kids who love challenges.
How does it differ from chess?
You move multiple pieces per turn (up to 4 steps total), and animal hierarchy creates unique interactions. Less memorization, more improvisation.
Can I play online?
Yes! Sites like BoardSpace or Ai Ai offer digital versions against humans/AI.
Worth it for non-abstract fans?
If you like strategy but prefer themes, the animal twist might help. But it's still pure brain-burning gameplay.
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