Onitama

Two players, a small five by five board and a handful of pawns. That is all you need to get completely absorbed in Onitama, a duel that keeps you sharp. Every pawn is ready, with your master safe in the middle. It is up to you to find an opening and take out your opponent's master. The beauty is in the cards. You have two in front of you that show how you may move a pawn. Play one and it slides over to the other side, while you pick up the card that was lying between you. The situation keeps changing, so you have to rethink your next step again and again. Move a pawn onto a square held by your opponent and you remove that piece. There are two ways to win: capture your opponent's master, or reach their starting square with your own master. A tense game takes twenty minutes, and before you know it you are asking for a rematch. Ideal for a quiet moment together, where you challenge each other just enough.