In such a game, play may continue after one player wins to determine rank. Alternately, multiple players may play without making teams. Using such a configuration, a team wins when all of its counters have traded sides before the counters of the opposing team(s) do the same. If there are four or six players they may make teams of two players each with partners at opposite corners. The objective of the game is to occupy all of the positions of the camp directly opposite the initial camp with your counters. They both seem to have been invented right around the same time. Chinese Checkers is very similar to Halma and one was most certainly derived or inspired by the other. It was first published by Ravensburger in 1892. Its invention must likely be attributed to a German or Swede. Marketed versions of the game have often used marbles of differing colors as the counters.Ĭhinese checkers is not Chinese. This, however, is impossible with five players. For obvious reasons, the counters should be arranged symmetrically on the board if playing with two, three, or four players. There are six colored triangles at the corners of the board where counters begin and end the game, here referred to as “camps”. If four, five, or six players each must commence with ten counters each.

If two or three players, each may commence with 15 counters of a separate color. Playing with five players, however, can give an advantage to the one player who is moving to occupy an unoccupied camp.Ī Chinese Checkers board is required. This game can be played by two to six players. In parts of China the game is called Tiau-qi, meaning “The Jumping Game” The Chinese also made several different rule variations for the game, which were usually more complex than the traditional versions. Ironically, the game of Chinese Checkers was introduced into Asia from Europe and the Americas and became quite popular there. Earlier versions of the Pressman marketed game were called Hop Ching Checkers. and many parts of Europe had a general fascination with all things of Chinese or Oriental making. The most commonly used name for this game today is Chinese Checkers, which originated as a marketing scheme by Bill and Jack Pressman for their Pressman Company. The game was later marketed to English-speaking areas under the name Star Halma. The 'Stern' word is German for 'Star' and refers to this game being a version of Halma played on a star-shaped board (in contrast to the square board used in Halma). The original version of this game was called Stern-Halma. Opening Positions for Two and Six Players

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