Stratego

About this board game

Stratego is a two-player hidden-tactics board game, typically played in about 45 minutes, in which opposing armies maneuver across a battlefield to capture the enemy flag. First launched in 1946, it challenges players to balance careful defense with bold attacks.

Before the battle begins, each player secretly places their men, six bombs, and flag on their side of the board. This hidden setup is central to the game: your opponent’s pieces conceal their ranks, so every advance may reveal either a valuable target or a dangerous surprise.

Players move their men across the battlefield and attack when opposing pieces are one space apart. Both players declare their ranks, and the lower-ranking man is captured and removed from play. However, some encounters break the usual pattern: a bomb can blast away an attacking man, while the spy can defeat the strongest piece when attacking.

• Secret deployment: Arrange your army, bombs, and flag to create both a defense and an offense.
• Hidden information: Infer the strength of enemy pieces as they enter the battle.
• Risky engagements: Send men into unknown territory, where each attack can change the contest.
• Clear objective: Capture your opponent’s flag before they capture yours.

The suspense builds as surviving pieces move deeper into enemy territory and players try to remember revealed ranks. A successful strategy may require caution, courage, and the willingness to risk a piece for a better position.

Stratego is closely related to L’Attaque and belongs to a broader family of hidden-rank battlefield games. Its long history has also inspired numerous themed editions and spin-offs, while different editions use distinct numbering systems for the ranks.