Mate (1915)

About this game

Mate was originally published in the pamphlet "Zwei neue Kriegspiele!" (that is, "Two New Wargames!") by the German chess player G. Capellen in 1915 as Matt. Mate is a game of perfect information played with a 20 card deck. It is played in matches of two rounds and rounds of two games. Players exchange hands between the two games of each round, which eliminates luck of the draw. A winning move or "mate" consists of playing a card that the other player cannot follow either in suit or rank. A point score for the game is calculated from the rank of the mate card and the total number of moves in the game (the more the better). The player with the most points wins the match.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.4/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.