Pentago

About this board game

Pentago is an abstract strategy game for two players that takes about five minutes to play, combining marble placement with rotating sections of a 6×6 board.

The board is made from four separate 3×3 grids arranged into one larger square. On each turn, a player places a marble and may then twist one of the grids by 90 degrees. This rotation changes the position of the marbles and reshapes the tactical possibilities after every turn.

Winning requires creating a line of five marbles. Because the board can shift during play, a promising line may be affected by a rotation, while a new opportunity can appear elsewhere. Players must consider both the immediate placement and the possible consequences of changing a grid.

• For exactly two players
• Four 3×3 grids forming a 6×6 board
• Place a marble, then optionally rotate one grid by 90 degrees
• Make five marbles in a row to win
• Approximately five minutes per game

With its compact playing time and simple objective, Pentago presents a focused contest in which every move can alter the board. The rotating grids give the familiar goal of connecting pieces a distinctive twist, turning each placement into a decision about both the current position and the board that follows.

Released in 2005, Pentago offers a concise two-player abstract game built around changing patterns, direct competition, and the challenge of forming five in a row before the board shifts against you.