Traverse

About this board game

Traverse is a 2–4-player board game with an approximately 30-minute play time, played on a square checker board. Each player aims to move all eight of their pieces into the starting row of the player sitting opposite them.

Each player chooses one color and receives eight pieces: two squares, two diamonds, two triangles, and two circles. Before play begins, the pieces may be arranged in any order within that player’s starting row.

• Squares move horizontally and vertically.
• Diamonds move only diagonally.
• Triangles move forward on the diagonals or straight backwards.
• Circles move in any direction.

Players take turns moving one piece. A piece can move one space at a time into an empty adjacent space, following the movement allowed by its shape. Two pieces cannot occupy the same space, so choosing how to advance each piece is essential.

Pieces may also jump over their own or another player’s pieces. Jumped pieces are not captured, as in Chinese Checkers, and a player may string together multiple jumps when every individual jump follows the rules. The first player to move all of their pieces into the destination row wins, and players cannot force a draw.

Released in 1987, Traverse was listed in GAMES 100 and received the 1992 Mensa Select honor. It is suitable for players ages 7 to adult.