Description

Wehrschach, also called Tak-Tik, was published by the nationalsocialist German magazine "Die Wehrmacht" in 1937/1938. It brought modern pieces to a Chess-like board: Infantry, Armor, Fighter and Bomber planes, Artillery, and a unique piece (the 'Hauptfigur'), styled like an eagle, which abstractly represented the government, industrial base, and morale of the state.

On an Board with 11 x 11 squares you play a chess-like game with 18 pieces per player, for instance the "Jagdflieger" or the "Panzerkampfwagen", all 3D and of Bakelite. These can move only vertical or horizontal, but a different number of squares, with the exception of the "Panzerkampfwagen", which might also move like the knight in chess, but without jumping over other pieces.

To capture an enemy piece you need to threaten it with two of your pieces instead of just one.

The board is divided through diagonal lines (the main road and the river) and two more lines crossing the 3rd and 9th row indicating walls and two lake tiles which block all movement except for the planes.

Gameplay was more or less like chess, but with some special rules for the different figures. There were several ways to win: capture of the Hauptfigur; destruction of all enemy Infantry; reduction of his fighting power; occupation of his homeland; etc. This, coupled with the two-to-one capture rules makes it more challenging (and rewarding!) than Chess.