Quoridor

Quoridor is a 2 or 4-player intuitive strategy game designed by Mirko Marchesi and published by Gigamic Games. Quoridor received the Mensa Mind Game award in 1997 and the Game Of The Year in the USA, France, Canada and Belgium.[1]

Quoridor
white and black pawn near walls
Genre(s)Board game
Abstract strategy game
Players2 or 4
Setup time< 1 minute
Playing time15 - 25 minutes
Random chanceNone
Skill(s) requiredDeduction

Rules of the game
The starting position for a 4-player game. In a 2 player game, green and orange are omitted.

Quoridor is played on a game board of 81 square spaces (9x9). Each player is represented by a pawn which begins at the center space of one edge of the board (in a two-player game, the pawns begin opposite each other). The objective is to be the first player to move their pawn to any space on the opposite side of the game board from which it begins.

The wall A is legal. Wall B is illegal because it does not face two spaces on each side.

The distinguishing characteristic of Quoridor is its twenty walls. Walls are flat two-space-wide pieces which can be placed in the groove that runs between the spaces. Walls block the path of all pawns, which must go around them. The walls are divided equally among the players at the start of the game, and once placed, cannot be moved or removed. On a turn, a player may either move their pawn, or, if possible, place a wall.

Legal pawn moves according to the location of the opponent and the walls.

Pawns can be moved to any space at a right angle (but not diagonally). If adjacent to another pawn, the pawn may jump over that pawn. If an adjacent pawn has a third pawn or a wall on the other side of it, the player may move to either space that is immediately adjacent (left or right) to the first pawn. Multiple pawns may not be jumped. Walls may not be jumped, including when moving laterally due to a pawn or wall being behind a jumped pawn.

Walls can be placed directly between two spaces, in any groove not already occupied by a wall. However, a wall may not be placed which cuts off the only remaining path of any pawn to the side of the board it must reach.

History

Quoridor is based on an earlier game, namely Blockade (also known as Cul-de-sac), invented by Philip Slater in 1975. Mirko Marchesi, a well-known famous game game designer, created another version of this game, called Pinko Pallino, which was published in 1995 by Epta games. Pinko Pallino was only for two players and was played on an 11×11 game board with a total of 42 walls and slightly different rules.[2]

After initial release, the game aroused interest. By 1997, the five largest game companies in the world: Gigamic (French), American Family Games, Inc., American Great American Trading Company, Mitra Game Company and Smart Chick bought the copyright of this game and released it to the world.[company names needs verification] As a result, Quoridor quickly became popular all over the world. Many European educational institutions (e.g. MINDLAB) have also selected Quoridor as teaching aids and brought them into the classroom.

History of the Notation(s): There isn't a notation provided by Gigamic. In 2005, Lisa Glendenning's thesis[3] proposed a reasonable notation. From the first players view the board is labeled a to i (right to left) in alphabetical order, and 9 to 1 (bottom to top). Later in the years algebraic chess notation influenced this notation and now a similar notation is used.

Notation

Each square gets a unique letter-number designation. Columns are labeled a through i from player 1's left and rows are numbered 1 through 9 from player 2's side to player 1's side. From player 1's perspective the far left square is labeled as a1. A move is recorded as the column followed by the row as in e2. For example: player 1's pawn starts on e1 and player 2's pawn starts on e9. See the image here.

Each pawn move is defined by the new square occupied by the pawn. For example, if player 1 moves from square e1 to e2, player 1’s move is denoted as e2.

Each wall move is defined by the square directly to the northwest of the wall center from player 1's perspective, as well as an orientation designation. For example: a vertical wall between columns e and f and spanning rows 3 and 4 would be given the designation e3v.

Every wall touches four squares. A wall move is denoted by the closest square to a1, and the direction (horizontal or vertical).

Games are notated as they are in chess: by the move number, player 1's move, and player 2's move. For example, a game might start with each player moving their pawn towards the center:

1. e2 e8

2. e3 e7

Then the players might add walls to lengthen the other player's path:

3. e6h e3h

and the game continues.

4. __ __

Forsyth–Edwards Notation (FEN) can be adapted for describing a particular board position of Quoridor. Optimally, it follows the pattern below.

H:[horizontal walls] / V:[vertical walls] / [position of player pawns (from 1 to 2 (or 4))] / [number of walls in the players hands (from 1 to 2 or 4)] / [whose turn it is]

There is an example from a 2 player game: 

H:d4f4e7 / V:a2a8 / e4 e6 / 7 8 / 2

Game Phases

A game can be divided into 3 phases, namely opening, middle game, and endgame. The first 5-7 moves can be considered as the opening phase. A typical mid-game consist ~10 moves. The endgame starts when one of the players have less than 3 pieces.

Opening

In this phase both players make relatively long-term plans.

Middle Game

In the mid-game both players tries to maximize the possible opponents paths (most commonly 2) and close their back. Closing the back prevents the possibility of making a roundabout. Not closing the back mostly results in a loss.

Endgame

When both of the players uses all walls in the hand, the game can be ended (upon agreement) by simply counting the shortest path length for both players.

Strategies

Between games common patterns can be seen. The openings can be divided into two categories, orthodox and unorthodox openings. In orthodox openings the goal is to advance ones pawn to the center. Unorthodox openings are not common and uses 2 or more wall moves before ones pawn reaches e4 or e6.

Openings

Reed opening: This opening consists in placing, during the first two moves of the game, two walls on the third row in front of the opponent with a single gap in the middle (c3h and f3h). A counter-strategy to the Reed opening is to place two horizontal walls on the third row, one at the extreme left and one at the extreme right, which effectively reduces both players' path counts to one. The game would start as follows: 1.c3h a3h 2.f3h h3h . This opening is attributed to Dr. Scott Reed (Edinburgh, UK), a known military strategist and frequent player.

Shiller opening: Both players advance their pawns three times (1.e2 e8 2.e3 e7 3.e4 e6). Then the first player places one wall vertically in the column closest to him (4.c3v, 4.d3v, 4.e3v, or 4.f3v), providing two paths for the other player while maintaining just one path for herself. The Shiller opening implements the strategy of maximizing the opponent's path count and of minimizing one's own path count. This opening is attributed to Larry Shiller, who is also known as the Voice of Backgammon.

The Stonewall: After both players advance their pawns two times (1.e2 e8 2.e3 e7), one of the players starts building a stonewall with 3.d2h __ or 3. __ g7h. If the first player starts the stonewall the idea is 3.d2h __ 4.f2h __ 5.b2h __ 6.h2v __ (or mirrored version). The goal is to push back the opponents if they advances their pawn further. A common idea is to close the back rank with a vertical wall. (i.e. e1v) So, the opponent cannot make the Stonewall player to go back all the way behind the wall.

Ala opening: Both players advance their pawns three times (1.e2 e8 2.e3 e7 3.e4 e6). then the first player places one wall horizontally behind their pawn (d5h). Next turn the first player places their second fence next to their first fence (f5h) and creates a wall behind them. In their third and fourth turns they places their fences perpendicular to their previous fences (c4v and g4v). By this opening the first player provides two paths at the corners of the board for the other player while maintaining one easy path for themselves.

Standard Opening: Both players advance their pawns three times (1.e2 e8 2.e3 e7 3.e4 e6) and the first player plays 4.e3v. There are 2 options for the second player: 4.__ e6v (mirrored variation) or 4.__ d6v (symmetrical variation).

  • Rush Variation: 4.d5v e6h
    • the goal is to create a big reverse box like shape: 5.e4h f6 6.g4h f5 7. h5v g5
    • counter play = ?

Gap opening: After both players advance their pawns three times (1.e2 e8 2.e3 e7 3.e4 e6)

  • mainline: 5.__ g6h
  • Anti-gap: 5.__ b3h
  • double-gap:

The Sidewall: Both players advance their pawns (1.e2 e8). 1st player places a wall next to 2nd players pawn 2.d7v. The purpose of this strategy is to create two paths, one that continues to move straight ahead, and the second path is to retreat and detour to the other side. Obviously route 1 would be closer to the destination, so second player blocks the shorter path with 2.__ f8 3.e6h. This reaction from second player is considered bad because first player can continue to put walls in the way. (i.e. 3.__ g8 4.g6h h8 5.h7v 5. __ h9 6.h4h i9 7.f4h i8 8.b5h i7 9.a6v c6h) The aim of the strategy is to create redundant moves for the second player in a direction that will inevitably be blocked in the future.

Proper counter-play: Second players' move is 2.__ c7h. With this move a horizontal wall on the left side is placed, exactly 2 spaces from the edge of the board. The goal is to create up to 3 different wall layouts to block the detour to your left.

Quick Box variation: 2.__d1h

Shatranj Opening: Named after an online player, Shatranj. The game starts with the move 1. d1v, which is considered as an unorthodox opening. The goal is to canalize ones path to the last rank. The move 1. e1v has the same idea in mind but flipped.

  • Lee Inversion: The first player advances once before placing a vertical wall immediately to one side, connecting to the back wall 1.e1v. Usually, the opponent will then "help" to build a winding path for the player (ie. 1.__ c2h 2.d2 b2h 3.c2 a2v note that at this position 4.c1 is necessary to prevent b1h which lengthens the path 1 to 3 moves). At a critical moment the first player can slam the door by playing the moves f2h and h2h (the Lee Switcharoo), sending the opponent up and around the path he helped create. If the opponent elects not to participate in building the maze, trivially the player can execute a Samson Bowl[?].

Mirroring

Mirroring can be a powerful strategy if the opponent doesn't know how to respond.

Walls

The walls are the used to direct the game. Their value increases as the games progresses.

The walls become more important in the endgame. If there is a major difference in the number of the walls in hand, generally the player with more walls wins the game. Nonetheless, if the movable area lacks space, this may result in a loss because if none of the moves increases the path length of the opponents' they become useless.

Leaving the position complex(er)

Shiller opening and Gap opening are the perfect example for this strategy.

Spacial advantage

Sidestepping: Within the first 3 moves the first player moves their pawn horizontally left or right, giving the opponent the opportunity to move forward or place the first wall. The goal is to make a corridor to make the opponent go backwards. However, by doing so, the first player loses their spacial advantage and the second player can force the first player go backwards. Therefore, this is considered as a bad move.

Awards

In 1997, the game was awarded the Mensa Select, a prize given to five board games by the American Mensa every year. It was also by Games Magazine named Game of the Year 1998.

    Quoridor: Awards[4]
    Year Awards Country Result
    1996 Special mention at the award Best of Show (for Pinko Pallino)[5] by Lucca Games  Italy
    1997 Mensa Select United StatesWon
    Best Bet of the Toy Testing Council  CanadaWon
    Prix d’Excellence des Consommateurs (Consumer’s Toy Award)Won
    Gold Award by Parents’ Choice  GermanyWon
    SpelgutWon
    Grand Prix du Jouet[6]  FranceWon
    Toy Award  BelgiumWon
    1998 Games 100 Selection by Games Magazine United StatesWon
    Game of the year[7] by Games MagazineWon

    The Children's version of the game Quoridor Kid won 4 awards.

    Quoridor Kid: Awards[8]
    Year Awards Country Result
    2006 Creative Child Magazine Preferred choice award United StatesWon
    2008 Best Children’s Game by Boardgames Australia  AustraliaWon
    2009 Best children’s game  FinlandWon
     SwedenWon

      Derivations of the game

      There are different board sizes of the game: Pocket < Mini < Regular < Deluxe < Giant

      • Quoridor Pocket: A portable version. The regular version of the board and top is made of wood, but the "pocket" is made of plastic.
      • Quoridor Mini / Quoridor Travel: The smallest version of the game.
      • Quoridor Deluxe: A carved version of wood. The game board is not painted and colored, and the grain remains. Size of the board is one size larger than the regular version. The color of the pieces has also been changed.
      • Quoridor Giant: The design is the same as the normal version, but the size is about 4 times bigger.

      Quoridor Kid: In 2004 Gigamic released the Children's version. The number of squares on the board is 7x7 squares, which is one size smaller than the regular version, and the number of walls is 16 (for 2 players, each player gets 8 walls; for 4 players, 4 each). Other rules are the same. The board is round and yellow, where classic figures are replaced with a mice. The top is in the shape of a mouse, and a cheese top is placed in the back of the row on the other side, adding the theme of "a mouse is trying to reach the cheese."

      Competitions

      Mindsports Olympiad: As part of the Mindsports Olympiad 2020, Quridor was played.[9]

      Pentamind World Championship: In 2018, Quoridor was played among 5 games in the Pentamind tournament.[10]

      MINDLAB: Kids between the ages 9-12 can participate in this yearly tournament.

      The complexity of the game

      Quoridor has a relatively large complexity, the number of valid positions in the game (state space) is . The number of nodes on the game tree respectively is and . In each position, there are an average of valid moves. For comparison these numbers are in chess , and , respectively.

      In the starting state there are positions of valid walls and moves so the game has a total of branches.

      There are a total of possible positions of the game. [11]

      Misc
      A digital chess clock

      Time control

      In competition, Quoridor games are played with a time control. If a player's time runs out before the game is completed, the game is automatically lost.

      Time can be controlled controlled using a chess clock that has two displays, one for each player's remaining time. Analog chess clocks have been largely replaced by digital clocks, which allow for time controls with increments.

      See also

      References
      1. "Mensa Mind Games Winners Available Now at Barnes & Noble" (Press release). American Mensa Ltd. December 15, 2000. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03.
      2. Pinko Pallino at BoardGameGeek
      3. Glendenning, Lisa (May 2005). Mastering Quoridor (PDF). Computer Science (B.Sc. thesis). University of New Mexico. S2CID 18564930.
      4. "Quoridor". Gigamic. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
      5. "Lucca Games Best of Show | Wiki | BoardGameGeek". boardgamegeek.com. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
      6. "Grand Prix du Jouet" The Grand Toy Prize award from France.. Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)
      7. "1998 Games Magazine Game of the Year Winner | Board Game Honor | BoardGameGeek". boardgamegeek.com. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
      8. "Gigamic Games Awards PDF".
      9. "Quorid tournament at MSO". 2020.
      10. msoworld.com https://msoworld.com/pentamind/pentamind-scoring/. Retrieved 2021-02-07. Missing or empty |title= (help)
      11. "combinatorics - Counting all possible board positions in Quoridor". Mathematics Stack Exchange. Retrieved 2021-02-07.

      Further reading
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