Board Games refer to indoor games played on boards with pieces or counters. The playing area is generally marked with colors or patterns or both as the basic requisites of the game. The fact that Board Games offer entertainment for the entire family makes for one of the unique selling propositions. Virtually people of all ages can take part in various Board Games played across the world. Some of the popular games in this category also require strategic planning and are quite intriguing indeed. Games such as Chess, Chinese Checker, Xiangqi, Oware, etc. are quite hard to master since they are based on intense planning. These games have been seen as classics for many years now.
Based on themes, Board Games are of various types. The commonest types include:
Clue – Based on unfolding murder mysteries
Monopoly – Simulation of real estate markets
Risk – Simulation of warfare
Some Board Games attempt to reproduce real life scenarios. Mastering these games require a lot of intelligence and capabilities to plan and plot strategies. Chess is the most mentionable name in this category.
Abstract strategy Board Games are so popular because there are hardly any chance of repetition in these games. In the game of chess, for example, it is very unlikely that the first ten moves would be the same. Now this is quite an astounding fact if you consider how many times the game has been played so far. In chess, there are only 32 pieces arranged on a board containing 64 squares. So one might easily think that the first ten moves may be identical in two games. But expert opinions give a different lead altogether.
Word games are very popular as well. Scrabble is arguably the most popular of all word games. This board game not only provides entertainment, but also, and maybe more importantly, helps the gamers to expand their vocabulary. Young learners especially are very fond of this game.
Tracing the history of Board Games is not an easy task since there is hardly any written evidence. The remnants from the past suggest that Board Games have been in business since historic times. They have been played extensively in every culture, regardless of country or creed. Excavations done in many historical sites have unearthed evidences that are suggestive of the existence of early Board Games. Traces of a very popular board game known as Mehen have been found in ancient Egypt. The fact that Go was originated in China is proved by the leftovers found over there after excavations.
Board Games such as chess, backgammon, etc. have assumed international popularity for a number of reasons. Chess for instance has a global following not just because of its intricacies but also because playing chess professionally can fetch worldwide recognition as well as financial benefits. International chess tournaments are arranged throughout the year in different countries.
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