“My next several hours were spent learning how to play Tak. Even if I had not been nearly mad with idleness, I would have enjoyed it. Tak is the best sort of game: simple in its rules, complex in its strategy. Bredon beat me handily in all five games we played, but I am proud to say that he never beat me the same way twice.”
-Kvothe, The Wise Man’s Fear
Patrick Rothfuss first introduced TAK in the second installment of the Kingkiller Chronicle, The Wise Man’s Fear. However, the rules were not introduced in the book, because at the time there were none! Ernest and Rothfuss have brought TAK to life in an elegant two-player abstract strategy game reminiscent of classics like Go and mancala.
The classic edition of Tak includes enough pieces for a 6×6 game as well as a beautiful double-sided board, decorated with selas flowers on one side and a rough wooden texture on the other.
Looking for the smaller University Edition of Tak?
Players: 2 // Age: 12+ // Time: 20-40 minutes // Price: $55 // Rules (Printer-friendly)
Visit The Tinker’s Packs to purchase Tak and various “Takcessories” including cloth boards, piece expansions, the Tak Companion Book, and more!
Did you know? The Kingkiller Chronicle is being developed by Lionsgate into a premium quality television series and feature film. The franchise is being produced by Rothfuss, multiple award winner Lin Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and Robert Lawrence.
HOW TO PLAY
To win a game of TAK, a player must be the first to create a “road” of stones connecting opposite sides of the board.
Stones can be laid flat or stood on end. When played flat, they are called “flat stones.” In this orientation, other stones can be stacked on them. If they are stood on end, they are called “standing stones” or “walls.” Nothing can be stacked atop a standing stone, but these do not count as part of a player’s road.
Depending on the size of the game, players may also have capstones, which can can come in many decorative shapes. Capstones serve as both a flat stone and a wall, and can also flatten standing walls.