Squadro

About this board game

Squadro is a two-player board game played in about 20 minutes, released in 2018. Each player controls five pieces and aims to be the first to complete a return trip with four of them.

The players sit perpendicular to one another, with their five pieces starting in troughs on their respective sides of the board. When a piece moves, its distance is determined by the strength shown in the trough it leaves.

After travelling across the board, a piece turns around and returns using the strength shown on the opposite side. This creates a shifting race in which every move must be considered both for its progress and for the danger it may face on the way back.

• Move pieces according to the strength of their current trough.
• Cross the board, then begin the return journey.
• Pass over an opposing piece to send it back to its last departing base.
• Advance one cell beyond the opposing piece’s former position.

Squadro is not simply about keeping every piece safe. Sometimes allowing one of your pieces to be taken can help, because it makes your opponent advance while reducing the number of moves they can make. At the same time, the setback gives you additional moves.

With four successful return trips needed for victory, the game rewards careful timing and a willingness to place pieces in risky positions. Sit next to your rival, judge each crossing, and enjoy the tactical push and pull of Squadro.