Chess Race (1976)

About this game

Time to race on the chess board! Chess Race, first released as Schachjagd, is a kind of Pachisi game with three pawns for each color (when played with four) and a set of cards with all chess symbols on it. Take two cards in hand, and use one card for your turn, moving one of your pawns around the racecourse. Any two identical cards can be used like a queen and one obstacle can be moved to attempt to block your opponents. Schachjagd is also contained in Spiele-Box (Carlit 1980). Chess Race is an evolution of Schachjagd as in that game players rolled a die bearing chess symbols on it to determine how one of their pawns could be moved on that turn.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 4.
• Rules load. At 1.3/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.