328:
squares being moved onto. The player can leave any number of stones, including zero, on the starting space, but must place at least one piece for each subsequent move. There is no height limit for stacks, but the amount of stones a player can remove from the stack and move is set by the "carry limit" of the board. The carry limit of the board is determined by the dimensions of the board. For example, if the stack was on a 5x5 board, the carry limit of the stack would be five.
525:, applying komi typically means a certain score (most commonly 2) is added to the second player's final flat count. The effect is that it permits the second player to place more standing stones (walls) during the game with the komi score offsetting some of the negative impact such plays have on that player's flat count. This is intended to give the second player an advantage to counterbalance the first player advantage.
34:
332:
to form a stack with the capstone as its head, but it must do so alone. For example, a stack with a capstone cannot flatten a standing stone by moving as a stack onto the standing stone, but a stack can be used to move a capstone across the board so that the capstone alone moves to flatten the standing stone as the final movement.
451:
When either player places their last piece on the board, or if every square on the board is filled, the game ends. If there is no completed road at this time, the player who has the most flat stones on the board wins. Flats that are captives underneath a stack do not count towards the score in a flat
351:
If a road has not been built by either player, and the board is either fully covered or one player has run out of stones, the game ends and the flat stones of each player are counted. The player with the most flats wins. This is called a "flat win." Standing stones and capstones do not count, nor do
331:
Because standing stones and capstones can't be stacked upon, there are no stacks with these pieces at the bottom or in the middle of the stack. Both of these stones however can be moved onto other flat stones to form a stack with them as the head. A capstone may "flatten" a standing stone and use it
504:
has a first player advantage less than that of chess. According to the playtak analytics dashboard, a statistical tool compiling all Tak games played online at playtak.com, there is a 55% first player advantage on a 5x5 board, and a 52% first player advantage on a 6x6 board. Tak also has a low draw
344:
is to build a road from any edge of the board to the opposite edge. This can be accomplished using flat stones or capstones. Standing stones do not count as part of a road. When a road is built, the owner of the road is declared the winner. Roads do not have to be in a straight line, but stones can
323:
A player may move a single piece or a stack of pieces they control. A stack is made when a player moves a stone on top of another flat stone of any color. The stone on top of a stack determines which player has control of that entire stack. All stones move orthogonally in a straight line on the
396:
Commonly called "walls", these are flat stones placed standing up on their narrowest side. Standing stones do not count as part of a player's road, and are used to block another player's road. Standing stones can stack on top of flat stones, and can be "flattened" or "crushed" by a "capstone."
327:
A player can also move a whole stack in addition to single stones. A stack can be moved like a single stone, moved in its entirety one space orthogonally (North, South, East, or West), or it can move several spaces orthogonally by breaking the stack and placing one or more flat stones onto the
313:
Capstones are the most powerful pieces, as they count towards a road and cannot be stacked upon by any piece. The capstone can also move onto a standing stone and flatten it into a flat stone. Both the opponent's standing stones and the player's standing stones can be flattened in this
165:, players aim to connect two opposite edges of the board with pieces called "stones" and create a road. Players take turns placing their own stones and building a road while blocking and capturing their opponent's stones. The vertical stacking and unstacking of stones gives a
595:, also noted the game's simple rules creating "genuine depth" and applauded the feel of the game as one "invented centuries ago and passed down over generations." Canadian online news site SaskToday called the game "an absolute gem".
589:" and "exactly the kind of game that ought to be an intellectual pastime in some world." Alisha Karabinus, in NYMGamer, found the game play to be accessible to both kids and adults, and praised its versality. Owen Duffy, in
707:
Stones and
Capstones often come in a matching style, although the pieces only have to meet differing color standards and stackability requirements. Players must also have a way to distinguish between capstones and normal
185:
is played on a square gameboard of various sizes. The board begins empty. The number of stones available to each player depends on the size of the board. The stone count for each size as set by the rules is listed below.
285:
games start with an empty board. On each player's first turn, they must place one of their opponent's flat stones on any empty space on the board. Play then proceeds normally with players controlling their own pieces.
549:. In 2014, Ernest worked with Patrick to design a game based on the concept. Initially, Patrick was reluctant of the design, but after Ernest showed him the gameplay, he approved of it and launched the Kickstarter.
309:
Standing stones are "normal" stones played "standing" on their edge. Standing stones cannot be stacked upon except by a capstone, but they do not count as part of a road. Standing stones are also commonly called
306:
Flat stones are "normal" stones played "flat" face down on the board. Flat stones can be stacked upon by either player by moving their stones already on the board. Flat stones count as part of a road.
376:
Roads are lines of flat stones, or flat stones and capstones that connect orthogonally from one side of the board to the opposite side.. The first player to complete a road wins the game.
270:
sets, however, are available in a variety of colors and styles. Aesthetically, the capstone shape varies among different sets, while flat and standing stones are simple, stackable pieces
733:"Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective is a captivating Victorian adventure: Our guide to the best new board games looks at Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective, Exit: The Game and Tak"
407:
Capstones are a unique stones that can capture and flatten enemy walls, spread as normal pieces, cannot in of themselves be captured (even by other capstones), and count towards roads.
563:
Since then, the US Tak
Association has been founded by fans of the game to promote the game's recognition and its level of play and to host tournaments in person and online.
732:
492:
Momentum is a term referring to how close one is to winning. The player with momentum has fewer direct turns to complete a road or end the game via a flat win.
1024:
984:
348:
If a player makes a move that results in a winning road for both players, the active player wins. This is called the Dragon clause, or a double road.
631:, and to provide opportunities for fair and competitive play to its members. Players can pay to join and become a member of USTA. USTA hosts online
302:
On their turn, players may place one stone from their reserve onto an empty spot on the board. There are three stone types that can be placed:
386:
Often simply called "flats", these pieces lie flat on the board, may be stacked on top of each other, and count as part of a player's "road".
278:
Players determine randomly who starts the first game, and alternate the first move for future games. In competitive play, white plays first.
294:
After the first turn, players must either place a stone on the board or move a stone or stack under their control. Passing is not allowed.
560:
campaign on 2016, which resulted in 12,000 backers contributing more than $ 1.35 million. The game and full rules were released in 2017.
266:
game pieces, referred to as "stones", are divided into white and black sets. The players are often referred to as "White" and "Black."
956:
427:"Tak" is called when the player is one move away from completing a road and winning the game, similar to the concept of "check" in
431:. Calling "Tak" is optional, but is encouraged when playing against beginners, and can be mandatory when agreed upon beforehand.
345:
only connect when they are orthogonally adjacent (North, South, East, West) to one another. Stones cannot connect diagonally.
417:
Stacks are formed whenever a stone captures another stone, adding to the number of stones on that space in a vertical manner.
1050:
577:, Keith Law praised the simplicity and strategy despite criticising some of the fan-fiction elements, concluding that
441:
Tinuë is equivalent to checkmate in chess - it demarcates a position in which a road win is guaranteed for one player.
1200:
1205:
482:
An soft capstone is where a capstone is on top of a stack with the opposing color stone directly underneath.
856:
884:
627:
in the United States and worldwide. USTA has two primary goals: to educate the public about the game of
928:
472:
A hard capstone is where a capstone is on top of a stack with the same color stone directly underneath.
1215:
1210:
142:
166:
146:, before being brought to life by James Ernest in collaboration with Rothfuss, and published by
668:
620:
545:
133:
77:
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online through
Playtak.com, where players can play Tak against other human players or against
521:, has been adopted by the US Tak Association and is used across most of its tournaments. In
656:
599:
155:
20:
8:
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355:
If the flat count is equal when the game has gone to a flat decision a draw is declared.
1093:
901:
929:"Kickstarting Tak, a new Cheapass Game based on Patrick Rothfuss's "Wise Man's Fear""
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775:
552:
Following this private unveiling of the game, Ernest and
Rothfuss, with support from
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572:
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137:
53:
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and its states of play. These terms are distributed by the USTak
Association.
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797:
44:
652:
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49:
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19:
This article is about the board game. For other things named "Tak", see
632:
73:
857:
https://ustak.org/2023/february-intermediate/february-intermediate.pdf
811:
518:
514:
1072:
585:
magazine, Dr. Kerry
Handscomb commented that Tak is "reminiscent of
1025:"The Meeple Guild: Players need to lead game growth / Development"
985:"The Meeple Guild: Players need to lead game growth / development"
1138:
688:
640:
586:
829:
598:
In 2021, Tak was incorporated as an event in the international
397:
Flattening a standing stone turns it into a captive flat stone.
363:
There are several terms used to describe different aspects of
33:
428:
539:
design is based on the fictional game of "tak" described in
1178:
352:
captive stones underneath a stack regardless of the owner.
1114:
462:
Gaelet is similar to Tinuë, but is a guaranteed Flat win.
1184:
957:"Tak Brings a Fictional Boardgame Into the Real World"
1006:
1073:"Tak: Cheapass Games Takes on the Classics – NYMG"
623:dedicated to supporting and promoting the game of
154:was incorporated as an event in the international
1181:, a free, fanmade, browser-based Tak-playing site
619:players founded the US Tak Association (USTA), a
1192:
1091:
639:through tabletop game conventions such as
32:
1070:
1048:
496:
979:
977:
1004:
798:"How To Play The Beautiful Game of Tak"
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726:
724:
324:board. There is no diagonal movement.
136:that first existed fictionally within
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949:
854:February 2023 Intermediate Tournament
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262:Similar to the conventions of chess,
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581:was a "very clever little game". In
38:Tak being played with a "Tavern" set
1051:"Tak: A Game in a World of Its Own"
721:
13:
1039:
995:
946:
646:
14:
1227:
1172:
1071:Karabinus, Alisha (11 May 2016).
918:
891:
743:
16:Two-player abstract strategy game
1049:Handscomb, Kerry (Autumn 2019).
289:
1155:
1131:
1107:
1085:
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1017:
273:
1060:(17). C&K Publishing: 2–3.
846:
822:
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789:
731:Duffy, Owen (March 24, 2017).
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358:
1:
1163:"USTA News 2018 GenCon Recap"
715:
605:
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297:
7:
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318:
10:
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169:element to the game play.
18:
902:"Let's Talk Tak Variants"
830:"Playtak Games Analytics"
117:
109:
105:Tournament: 30-90 minutes
99:
91:
83:
69:
59:
43:
31:
694:
177:
172:
143:The Kingkiller Chronicle
1201:Abstract strategy games
906:Let's Talk Tak Variants
508:
1094:"2021 Medals By Event"
1092:Mind Sports Olympiad.
669:Abstract strategy game
621:nonprofit organization
497:First player advantage
134:abstract strategy game
78:Abstract strategy game
1005:Association, US Tak.
796:Association, US Tak.
543:' 2011 fantasy novel
103:Casual: 10-30 minutes
1206:Cheapass Games games
1187:– US Tak Association
1007:"US Tak Association"
651:Tak is available to
600:Mind Sports Olympiad
340:The primary goal of
156:Mind Sports Olympiad
140:'s fantasy trilogy,
21:Tak (disambiguation)
991:. October 23, 2022.
546:The Wise Man's Fear
28:
611:US Tak Association
336:Endgame conditions
150:in 2016. In 2021,
26:
1165:. 16 August 2018.
1115:"Become a Member"
1027:. 23 October 2022
961:pastemagazine.com
879:Missing or empty
812:"Tak Terminology"
517:from the game of
260:
259:
167:three dimensional
125:
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121:Tactics, Strategy
1223:
1216:Connection games
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541:Patrick Rothfuss
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138:Patrick Rothfuss
132:is a two-player
54:Patrick Rothfuss
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816:Tak Terminology
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674:Connection game
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647:Online gameplay
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513:Komi, based on
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505:rate of 0.91%.
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391:Standing stones
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1173:External links
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583:Abstract Games
574:Paste Magazine
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554:Cheapass Games
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64:Cheapass Games
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1139:"Tournaments"
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635:and promotes
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290:Standard turn
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215:Normal pieces
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1146:. Retrieved
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1097:. Retrieved
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1076:. Retrieved
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1029:. Retrieved
1019:
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989:SaskToday.ca
988:
965:. Retrieved
963:. 2016-08-25
960:
936:. Retrieved
932:
909:. Retrieved
905:
881:|title=
860:. Retrieved
853:
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837:. Retrieved
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779:. Retrieved
737:The Guardian
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592:The Guardian
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274:Opening turn
267:
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182:
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162:
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151:
141:
128:
127:
126:
100:Playing time
50:James Ernest
933:Boing Boing
659:opponents.
633:tournaments
558:Kickstarter
381:Flat stones
359:Terminology
1195:Categories
1148:2019-03-31
1124:2019-03-31
1078:2022-07-04
967:2022-06-23
938:23 January
911:2021-10-24
839:2023-05-08
716:References
192:Board size
92:Setup time
74:Board game
60:Publishers
1143:USTak.org
1119:USTak.org
1011:USTak.org
834:ustak.org
615:In 2016,
606:Community
567:Reception
402:Capstones
298:Placement
45:Designers
872:cite web
663:See also
487:Momentum
477:Soft Cap
467:Hard cap
446:Flat Win
319:Movement
310:"walls".
238:Capstone
1179:Playtak
1099:July 3,
1031:1 April
862:1 April
781:1 April
708:stones.
689:Mancala
641:Gen Con
587:mancala
571:In the
529:History
314:manner.
95:Minimal
84:Players
679:Emergo
537:'s
457:Gaelet
118:Skills
110:Chance
70:Genres
1054:(PDF)
695:Notes
436:Tinuë
429:chess
412:Stack
371:Roads
178:Setup
173:Rules
1185:USTA
1101:2022
1033:2024
940:2019
885:help
864:2024
783:2024
515:Komi
509:Komi
452:win.
281:All
210:8x8
113:None
684:Hex
657:NPC
637:Tak
629:Tak
625:Tak
617:Tak
579:Tak
534:Tak
523:Tak
502:Tak
422:Tak
365:Tak
342:Tak
283:Tak
268:Tak
264:Tak
233:50
207:7x7
204:6x6
201:5x5
198:4x4
195:3x3
183:Tak
163:Tak
161:In
152:Tak
129:Tak
27:Tak
1197::
1141:.
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