Eclipse

About this board game

Eclipse is an abstract game for two players that plays in about 15 minutes. On its oblong board, hexagonal spaced holes hold the ball-shaped playing pieces, creating a focused setting for a contest of movement and restraint.

Each player controls one large Guard and five pairs of smaller Prisoners. Every Prisoner pair is connected by a metal chain: two pairs use short chains, while three pairs use long chains. These linked pieces create a distinctive movement system in which one Prisoner can move while its partner remains in place.

• Move a Prisoner as far as its chain allows: one or two spaces.
• Cross one of your chains over an opponent’s chain to temporarily immobilize their Prisoners.
• Move the Guard one space at a time in any hex-axial direction.
• Win when your opponent is unable to move their Guard on their turn.

The Guard provides the game’s decisive objective, while the chained Prisoners shape how each player can act across the board. Crossing chains can temporarily restrict the opponent’s Prisoners, adding another layer to the positioning of the linked pieces.

Because the loss condition is tied to Guard movement, every turn takes place within a clear framework: manage the mobility of your Guard while using the Prisoners and their chains to affect the opposing side. The result is a compact abstract experience built around connected components, temporary immobilization, and hex-based movement.

Released in 1999, Eclipse is designed specifically for two players and offers a concise board game session centered on its unusual ball-and-chain mechanism.