Alquerque

Alquerque is a game that has been played in many countries of the Mediterranean basin, such as in Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Italy and is regarded as the forerunner of checkers and Fanorona.

History

The game probably comes originally from the Middle East. The first literary mention made ​​in the 10th century. It is found in the Book of Songs by the Persian poet Ali al Isfahani. With the invasion of the Moors, the play came to Spain. From there comes the oldest detailed description of the rules of the game, the " Libro de los juegos " King Alfonso found in the. About Spain and Portugal got the game also to Central and South America, where it was still popular in the early 20th century.

Regulate

The playing field consists of five horizontal and vertical as well as six diagonal lines. In other words, of four joined fields match the so-called small mill ( vertically, horizontally and diagonally crossed out square). Twelve pieces are placed on the crossing points, the middle point remains free. Is drawn - as in checkers - from point to point and beaten by skipping.

A stone can be moved along a line from any point to any vacant neighboring point. If a stone can beat, he must do this or it will be removed from the board. The question is discussed whether it already at Alquerque the promotion of a normal game piece to "Lady " was when it had reached the opponent's baseline.

Reprints

Several publishers brought the game with this or similar names out as an historical game or even in advertising aspects. Thus, there are issues of:

• Hoenning design of the author Grotz 1990
• Clemens Gerhards in his wooden game publisher
• The Wünnenberg Verlag 1999