2 de Mayo

About this board game

2 de Mayo is a bilingual English-and-Spanish abstract board game for two players, lasting about 20 minutes. Set during the terrible incidents in Madrid on May 2, 1808, it places one player in command of the French occupation forces and the other in control of the Spanish civilians and troops who rebelled against them.

The game unfolds over 10 turns, with each turn divided into four distinct phases: Preparation, Orders, Movement, and Resolution. Players direct their side across a board depicting the old map of Madrid, divided into 21 areas or zones. Event cards add further detail to the unfolding conflict, with separate French and Spanish decks.

At the end of Turn 10, the French player wins only if every Spanish force has been eliminated, all access areas to Madrid are French garrisoned, and the French player has not lost four or more cubes. If these conditions are not met, the Spanish player wins, making the final turn an important test of control and survival.

• Players: 2
• Play time: approximately 20 minutes
• Board: an old map of Madrid divided into 21 areas
• Components: 30 blue French troop cubes, 10 red Spanish civilian and troop cubes, and one turn marker cube
• Cards: 11 French event cards, 11 Spanish event cards, two player aids, and a turn track card

Designed as a focused contest between opposing forces, 2 de Mayo combines a compact playing time with a clearly structured sequence of play. The included rulebook also provides historical commentaries and a full example of play, helping players explore both the rules and the events that inspired the game.