Veney 2022

Veney is a chesslike game for two players designed to invoke the mechanics and spirit of a sword fight. The goal is to use your blade piece to checkmate your opponent either by touch (taking the Self piece) or by disarm (taking their only blade piece) while defending against checkmate in return. On your turn, you can move one of your pieces to an open square, move to take an opponent's piece or "fend" it (sending it to their reserve), place one of your reserved pieces on an open square, withdraw a piece, pass, or use various special moves and aspects of the pieces in play.

Many of the core elements of chess are inverted, removed, or altered to more closely resemble corresponding aspects of fencing. For example, there is no check, and two-way checkmates are possible. There are multiple methods by which a player can make two moves at once, and a wide array of special moves allows for unpredictable ripostes. The 4x16 board is subdivided lengthwise into four "measures" which allow for unique piece movements and flexible range constraints. Positions can get exceedingly complex, and breaking the rules (knowingly or not) is incorporated into the game as a potential grounds for disarmament or sudden-death.

A veney set is made up of collected rocks and trinkets which players cultivate and trade over time. "Token" pieces are won and lost as prizes at the conclusion of a formal game.

—description from the designer