Stratego

Lore & Background

The name Stratego derives from the French or Greek strategos meaning leader of an ancient army. The game is presently owned by Jumbo Games as successors to Hausemann and Hotte, headquartered in the Netherlands, and has been licensed to manufacturers such as Milton Bradley, Hasbro, and retailers including Barnes & Noble and Target stores. The classic game box contains 40 gold-embossed red pieces, 40 silver-embossed blue pieces, and a folding cardboard board with a 10×10 grid. Early sets used painted wood pieces; later sets used colored plastic. Some modern versions have cylindrical castle-shaped pieces. Players arrange their 40 pieces in a 4×10 configuration at their end of the board, with ranks hidden from the opponent. Two 2×2 lakes in the center cannot be entered and serve as choke points. Gameplay involves alternating moves, with red moving first. Most pieces move one step orthogonally, except the Scout which moves any distance in a straight line. Attacks are resolved by comparing ranks: the higher-ranked piece wins, with equal ranks removing both. Special pieces include the Bomb (defused only by Miners) and the Spy (succeeds only against the Marshal or Flag).

Reader's Guide

Stratego's significance lies in its blend of simple rules with deep strategic complexity, particularly its element of imperfect information. Unlike chess, where all pieces are visible, Stratego players conceal their ranks, introducing psychology such as bluffing, concealment, and guessing. The initial setup is a crucial strategic element, with players choosing aggressive or defensive formations. The game has spawned numerous variants, including two- and four-player versions, different piece counts, and boards of varying sizes. The International Stratego Federation governs competitive play and sponsors an annual World Championship. Stratego's legacy includes influencing later hidden-information games and maintaining a dedicated player base for decades. Its large number of possible moves and board states—far exceeding chess—makes it a game of long-term strategy rather than short-term tactics, where most moves are inconsequential and players think in terms of 'games not moves.'

Did You Know?

• Stratego is a slightly modified copy of the early 20th century French game L'Attaque.
• The Spy succeeds only if it attacks the Marshal or the Flag; otherwise it is defeated.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Some people believe Stratego is an original game design, but it is actually a slightly modified copy of the early 20th century French game L'Attaque. Another common misconception is that the Spy can defeat any piece it attacks; in fact, the Spy succeeds only if it attacks the Marshal or the Flag, and is otherwise defeated.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

Stratego endures because it combines the tactical depth of chess with the psychological tension of hidden information—players never know exactly what rank their opponent is moving until an attack occurs. This blend of strategy and bluffing has kept the game relevant for decades, sustained by an organized world championship and a dedicated international federation.