ZÈRTZ

ZÈRTZ is the third entry in the celebrated GIPF Project and offers a pure two‑player strategic duel. The empty hexagonal board starts with each player holding a pool of black, white and gray marbles. On your turn you may either jump a marble over one or more others—checkers‑style—to capture the jumped pieces, or place a marble of any colour on an empty space and then remove a vacant square from the board’s edge. This removal continuously shrinks the playable area, giving the endgame an almost claustrophobic feel. The goal is to amass the largest collection of marbles of a single colour; at the end, the player with the most marbles of any colour scores, and the highest total wins. While the rules are straightforward, strategic depth emerges from choices about where to add new marbles, which colours to sacrifice, and how to force mandatory jumps that benefit your set. Each jump can be chained, allowing multiple captures in one move. With no luck or cards, the outcome rests entirely on player decisions, making ZÈRTZ a hallmark of abstract strategy. Games typically last 30–60 minutes, perfect for a focused mental challenge without excessive complexity. The box includes 48 glass marbles and a high‑quality hex board, compact enough for travel. If you love deduction, space control, and set collection, ZÈRTZ will keep you hooked from start to finish.