Editor’s Note: Over the Christmas week the Meeple Guild will be offering up a game-a-day as a holiday treat. Enjoy!
YORKTON - Sid Jackson is a rather notable game designer, and one of his creations which probably deserves to be remembered more than it is is Chain Reaction.
Created in 1989 Chain Reaction is a two-player abstract strategy game with a rather interesting mechanic. On a player’s turn they might make a simple one step move to an empty space with a piece, or that piece might move atop a neighbouring piece which sets off a chain reaction where a player might link five moves together on their turn.
Pieces move in any direction, but can only go in one direction per move, no zig-zagging allowed – which bothered Guilder Trevor quite a bit with this one.
Players start with eight pieces each, and there are no captures.
Instead you are simply trying to cross the board. Make it off the far side you score one point – or two if you exit in the right locale. The piece then re-enters on your side. You play to a pre-determined score.
There is a sort of soccer / rugby feel to Chain Reaction, in particular because you are faced with something of a decision on each turn. You can opt to play defence, focusing on delaying your opponent’s plans to score, which at best delay, but can still be your best option.
Or, you can opt to go for the score yourself.
Since a printable board is available in the files at Board Game Geek – easy to sleeve and play with cubes or whatever you have – Chain Reaction is an easy one to add to your collection.
Solidly in the checker family, this is one I liked quite a lot – certainly more than Trevor, who was cooler on Chain Reaction. Still check it out at BGG, it really is worth a try.
