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Onitama

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description Onitama Overview

Onitama is a two-player abstract strategy board game designed by Shimpei Sato and released in 2014. The game is played on a five-by-five grid where each player commands a set of pieces attempting to capture the opponent's master or move their own master into the enemy's starting temple. Movement is dictated by a shared pool of five open cards, rotating between players after use, which eliminates memorized openings and ensures perfect information. It is aimed at fans of tactical games like chess who appreciate dynamic movement mechanics and elegant minimalist design.

help Onitama FAQ

Who designed the board game Onitama?

The game was designed by Shimpei Sato. It was officially released for players to enjoy in 2014. The design elegantly strips down traditional chess mechanics into a faster experience.

What size board is Onitama played on?

The game is uniquely played on a compact five-by-five grid. Each player commands a small set of pieces on this restricted space. The smaller board size ensures quick, highly tactical matches.

How do you win a standard game of Onitama?

A player wins by either capturing the opponent's master piece or moving their own master into the enemy's starting position. These dual win conditions force players to constantly balance offense and defense. You can lose even if you are winning on the board.

What type of game is Onitama classified as?

It is classified as a two-player abstract strategy board game. It relies on dynamic card-based movement rather than dice or luck. Players must exchange movement cards after each turn, making the game perfectly transparent.

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