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-stepp move to a space with a piece, or that piece might move atop a neighboring 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 defense, focusing on delaying your opponent’s plans to score, which at best delays, 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 is worth a try.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Vintage fun with 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-stepp move to a space with a piece, or that piece might move atop a neighboring 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 defense, focusing on delaying your opponent’s plans to score, which at best delays, 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 is worth a try.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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