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How to Play

TZAAR

2-2 players 30-60 min 7.7 Board Game Geek Rating

TZAAR is a strategic capture game where players manage 30 pieces across three interdependent types: Tzaars, Tzarras, and Totts. Each turn, choose between capturing opponent pieces or stacking your own to grow stronger. Victory comes by eliminating one of your opponent's piece types or blocking their captures. Balance aggressive attacks with defensive strengthening.

Published 2007

TZAAR

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Position the board
Place the board between players so the long side runs from one player to the other
2
Distribute pieces randomly
Put all 60 pieces randomly on the board intersections (spaces), filling every space
3
Identify your pieces
Each player has 30 pieces: 6 Tzaars, 9 Tzarras, and 15 Totts
4
Determine starting player
Draw lots for color; White begins the game
5
Alternative fixed setup
If players prefer, arrange pieces according to the diagram in the rulebook instead of randomly
6
Tournament version setup
Start with an empty board and take turns placing one piece at a time until all 60 pieces fill the board

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
First turn exception
White begins the game with only one move (a forced capture)
2
Execute two moves per turn
After White's opening, all players always have two moves per turn
3
First move: Forced capture
You must capture an opponent's piece with your first move
4
Understand piece strength
Strength is determined by stack height, not piece type
5
Second move options
Choose one of three possibilities:
6
Stacking rules
Stacks have no height limit and are always moved and captured as one unit
7
Stack type determination
Only the top piece of a stack counts for determining piece types in play
8
Movement restrictions
Pieces cannot move to empty spaces, cannot jump over other pieces, and cannot cross the empty center of the board
9
Stack composition
Stacks can only contain pieces of one color

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Eliminate a piece type
Win by capturing your opponent's last Tzaar, last Tzarra, or last Tott (only visible top pieces and single pieces count)
2
Block all captures
Win by putting your opponent in a position where they cannot make their required first-move capture
3
Pieces in stacks don't count
When checking for the three piece types, only single pieces and pieces on top of stacks are counted; buried pieces do not count

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

Conociendo Tzaar - Zacatrus

Conociendo Tzaar - Zacatrus

Instructional

How to Play: TZAAR

How to Play: TZAAR

Instructional

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FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

PDF RULEBOOK

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