Kutuzov: The War in Russia, 1812

About this board game

Kutuzov: The War in Russia, 1812 is a card-driven historical strategy game for 2–4 players, with games lasting about 360 minutes. It recreates Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, pitting the Imperial Powers against the Tsarist forces in a campaign of manoeuvre, combat, sieges, attrition, and fragile morale.

Players command armies across a vast theatre shaped by the events of 1812. The Imperial side begins with advantages in numbers, leadership, resources, and morale, but those strengths can quickly fade in Russia’s immense distances and fiercely contested cities. The Tsarist forces must survive the initial onslaught before turning the balance under Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov.

110 cards drive play, including quotations from participants in the campaign. Shared mini Home Decks for the Imperials and Tsarists add recurring opportunities, while the other cards—including many must-play political events—ensure that every game develops differently.

• Manage troop morale and withstand brutal attrition.
• Conduct sweeping manoeuvres, legendary battles, and crucial sieges.
• Face Cossack raiders, Polish Lancers, treacherous allies, Scorched Earth, and General Winter.
• Race against sudden-death conditions that can end the game during or at the conclusion of a turn.

The campaign can last one to four turns, and three additional scenarios begin at pivotal moments: the invasion, the confrontation at Smolensk, or Napoleon’s occupation of Moscow. Alternative formats include a highly competitive two-player game in which each player controls one power from both sides, plus a variant using a single hand of cards and chips to purchase additional cards.

With its shifting initiative, historical events, and relentless seasonal pressure, Kutuzov challenges the Imperial player to win quickly while giving the Tsarist side opportunities to recover, defend Russia, and carry the fight toward the empire’s outer marches.