Gauss (2009)

About this game

A small game designed by Susumu Kawasaki. A game for two players, Gauss: The Magnetic Duel is played on a small hexagonal grid. Each player has a set fifteen tokens: ten in their color and five in the opposite color. Player take turns and each player may place one token per turn. Like the poles of a magnet, tokens of opposite color are attracted to each other whereas tokens of like color are repelled by each other. You score points if you connect 4 or more discs of your colour.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 1.8/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.