Yalu: The Chinese Counteroffensive in Korea: November 1950-May 1951 (Second Edition)

About this board game

Yalu: The Chinese Counteroffensive in Korea: November 1950-May 1951 (Second Edition) is a historical wargame for 1-2 players, with games lasting approximately 600 minutes. It recreates the dramatic campaign that followed China’s intervention in the Korean War.

In November 1950, United Nations forces were pursuing the retreating North Korean Army toward the Chinese border. The UN Command had considered Chinese intervention a bluff, leaving its forces badly overextended when a force of thirty Chinese divisions emerged from the Korean mountains.

Players experience the resulting Communist counteroffensive as UN forces fall back toward the 38th Parallel and attempt to rebuild a front line. Chinese forces infiltrate deeply into UN positions and attack relentlessly, accepting high casualties to preserve their momentum. The two sides feel and play differently because of their contrasting Rules of Engagement.

• Operational scale: Units are primarily divisions, with some regiments and battalions.
• Map scale: Each hex represents 10 miles.
• Time scale: Each turn covers one week.
• Weather: Weather strongly influences movement and combat options for both sides.

This second edition updates the original game first published in GDW’s Conflict Games line in 1977. It includes all known errata, additional rule updates, and completely new graphics.

Yalu also offers both New-Look and Retro-Look maps and counters, creating replay variability in the presentation. The edition includes both the 1977 rules and the new rules, allowing players to explore the game’s original and updated approaches to this pivotal campaign.