Smess: The Ninny's Chess

Published 1970

This is a strategy game similar to chess. The board is layed out like a chess board and each player sets up their men just like in chess. Unlike chess, the board for Smess has various types of arrows printed on each square of the "chess" board. Movement is determined by the direction of the arrow or arrows in the square. The pieces are similar to chess in that the Brain is like a king in chess, Ninnies are like pawns, and Numskulls are like rooks or bishops. This is a fun game that is much simpler than chess at first glance. However, the game will vary in difficulty depending on the skill of the opponent. The goal is to capture your opponent's Brain. The fact that both players can "see" all possible moves to and from a square can make the game harder than you'd think! A fun game! The game was later released with medieval themed pieces under the title All the King's Men.

Mechanics

Smess: The Ninny's Chess

Game Info

Players
2 Players
Time
30 min
Weight
Light-Medium — 1.94/5
Year
1970
BGG Rating
5.75
BGG Rank
#15441
Min Age
8+

Frequently Asked Questions

Smess: The Ninny's Chess is designed for exactly 2 players.
A typical game of Smess: The Ninny's Chess takes about 30 minutes.
Smess: The Ninny's Chess has a complexity rating of 1.94/5.00 on BoardGameGeek, placing it in the 'Light' category. It is very accessible and great for new gamers.
The recommended minimum age for Smess: The Ninny's Chess is 8+. Younger children may enjoy it with guidance from experienced players.
Smess: The Ninny's Chess has a rating of 5.75/10 on BoardGameGeek, based on 464 ratings. It is ranked #15441 overall.
Smess: The Ninny's Chess was designed by Perry Grant, Reuben Klamer. It was published in 1970.