Shisima is a two-player abstract strategy game from Kenya. It is related to tic-tac-toe, but even more related to Tapatan, Three Men's Morris, Nine Holes, Achi, Tant Fant, and Dara, because pieces are moved on the board to create the 3 in-a-row. Unlike those other games, Shisima uses an octagonal board.
Contents
Shisima means "body of water" in Kenyan. The pieces are called imbalavali which translates to "water bugs" as the pieces move quickly on the board as water bugs do on the surface of a lake.
Goal
To create a '3 in-a-row' of one's pieces running through the middle of the octagonal board.
Equipment
An octagonal board is used. Lines connect each corner of the octagon to its opposite corner. The eight lines intersect at the middle of the octagonal board. There is a total of 9 intersection points or spaces for pieces to be played at.
Each player has 3 pieces. One plays the black pieces, and the other plays the white pieces, however, any two colors or small objects will suffice.
The board is easily drawn on the ground,cardboard, or paper.
Rules and Game Play
1. Players decide what colors to play, and who will start first.
2. Each player's three pieces are initially next to each other in a row on the perimeter points of the octagon facing opposite the other player's three pieces which are also next to each other in a row on the perimeter of the octagon. This leaves three empty spaces left. One empty space is the middle of the board. The other two empty spaces separate the two rows of pieces on both sides.
3. Each piece can move one space at a time following the pattern on the board. Only one piece can be moved per turn.
4. Repeating a position three times is a draw.
Related Games
Tapatan, Nine Holes, Picaria, Three Men's Morris, Achi, Tant Fant, Dara (game), tic-tac-toe