Yangtze

About this board game

Yangtze is a 2016 board game for 2–4 players that takes about 60 minutes, placing players in the roles of distributors competing to make the most money along the Yangtze River.

Each turn gives players two actions in a set order. First, a player sells one or more bundles of goods. Then, they may purchase a commodity, creating a constant tension between acting now and waiting for a better opportunity.

Goods drifting toward Shanghai become cheaper and cheaper. Waiting can open the door to a bargain price, but patience carries a risk: another trader may seize the goods before they can be bought.

• Sell one or more bundles of goods.
• Choose whether to purchase a commodity.
• Watch goods become less expensive as they move toward Shanghai.
• Compete with other traders for valuable buying opportunities.

Trade is not the only way to gain an advantage in Yangtze. Players can establish business branches that provide benefits during play, adding another route to improving their position on the river.

Every player also begins with a half-dozen special cards. These cards give each distributor additional possibilities alongside buying, selling, and branch building, while the changing prices of goods keep the timing of every decision important.

With its focus on selling, purchasing, waiting, and seizing opportunities before opponents do, Yangtze presents a compact contest of river trade. Decide when to move goods, when to hold back, and when to invest in advantages as you pursue the most money.