Rio Grande Games Yinsh

Yinsh has what most abstract games lack; it is actually fun to play. The rules take about five minutes to learn, the concept is simple, and it will keep you constantly on the edge of your seat. Great for newbies and veterans alike. You will not be disappointed.

One of the best abstract games Ive played. Super addictive!

This game is awesome! The components are wonderful. Like most abstract games, the concept is very easy but any number of strategies can take this game to many different levels. Id recommend this game to couples. Its specifically for 2 players and my husband and I had a really great time with it. I cant stop thinking about it.

Really fun game! Kinda like checkers but strategic like chess! Easy to learn and play

Makes you think moves ahead,a nice challenge.

I think my family thought I was crazy to purchase Yinsh solely on the advice of strangers but now that weve played it, Ive been redeemed. Very easy to learn which made it appealing to my kids, but its really challenging to win which made it something my wife wanted to play. A good combo!

Without a doubt this is my favorite two-player abstract strategy game. It is a mix of Pente and Othello, but that really makes it sound too simple. It really is simple to learn, but it will take time to learn strategies. It takes 5 to 10 games to really appreciate the nuances of the game and after that it will be a game that you will never get rid of or avoid playing. You have to get 3 five in a rows to win and as you get a 5 in a row then you take your power pieces off the board along with your 5 pieces. This mechanic makes you weaker as you win. It is really hard to put into words how this works and why it is so great. The component quality is very good. If you are a fan of two-player abstract games then you do yourself a disservice by not picking this up. I HIGHLY recommend this game. Edit: It appears this game is out of print. It is still awesome, but dont pay too much for it. There are tons of other great strategy games available. I have heard that this game will get reprinted. So it should be back to a reasonable price be this fall or Christmas time.

This is my favorite of the GIPF series of games that Ive played (although all the others are worthwhile, too). The making of a great game is one in which the rules are relatively easy to grasp, but the strategy has many levels of complexity, and that is certainly the case here. Its a very engaging game, where a single move can change the situation so drastically that thinking more than a couple moves ahead is nearly impossible. If you are a fan of abstract strategy games, I highly recommend this one.

Im a fan of Go, so this seemed like a great game to try it. It totally is! There is a lot of reply value, and I still dont understand the best strategy. This is complex enough to make you think, but quick enough to play w/someone new and not thoroughly bore them w/hard thinking involved in Go.

Very nice piece strategic board game for beginners.