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This is my take on what Gigamic, the original French makers of Quarto, touts as the most awarded game in the world. That may be true, but what is true is this is a most fiendish and addictive game, where kids and adults quickly play on a dead level field.

The play is this: Each of the 16 pieces has 4 different attributes. In my version they are: Square/rectangle, Tall/short, Dark/light, Plain/brass dot. The aim is to line up 4 pieces orthogonally or diagonally, all sharing just one of the same attributes. The tricky part is that you can't choose which piece you're going to play - your opponent chooses for you. You must look ahead in all directions, in six different planes of thought when offering the piece to your opponent. Yet relax, it all comes naturally, quite easily to anyone after only a few minutes of playing. Each game lasts only about 10-15 minutes at most with an immediate urge to go again. My daughter beat me 4 times out of five in the first few games. See if I raise her allowance.

The universal playing board of nine squares (3×3), or 16 points (4×4), is solid Bird's eye maple with a solid Jatoba border, inlaid on the edge with tulip wood. Size is 11" square. This is the basic surface for at least a dozen games that I can think of and is well worth building. The playing pieces are Bird's eye maple and Kingwood with threaded brass screw covers. About 1" thick, 1 1/2" to 2 1/4" tall.

The simple storage box with a loose lid is from a piece of poplar (American white wood) that I fished from the garbage at work. Sometimes I just don't believe the guys I work with. It also incorporates one of my favourite little box/frame tricks; that of matching the grain on all four corners. The finish on everything is Tried and True oil with varnish followed by Goddard's wax. Prospective builders could think of many variations on a theme - turners and carvers may be especially rewarded.

Travel over to http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/449435/quarto-a-detailed-review for more info and for an funny animated manufacturers video.

About 25 hrs.
Build on LJ's.
gene

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never heard of it, but sounds interesting, thanks for sharing and nice work.
 

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Wow, this is one "NEAT" little game Gene…...I really like your choice of woods for the board / pieces and love the storage box….. Isn't matching all 4 corners fun !!!

This one is a favorite and hope to make one similar in the future for "fun"....
 

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An interesting sounding game, and a well done project. I can see why you do the matching grain on the 4 corners, it looks real sharp.
 

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Very cool Gene! I really like the poplar box. Thanks for the link to the rules too.
 

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I love this game! I made the pieces out of clay and have been thinking about remaking them out of wood, since I have got into woodworking. Great work, and thanks for the inspiration to remake my pieces.
 

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Cool looking game pieces and board. Great design.
 

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Thanks for posting love new games. Will be adding this to my list of wanting to build.

Nice use of the brass in place of the blank holes.

CtL
 

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WOW ! "orthogonally" , ay ? .... I just went from merely nervous to down right scared !! LOL

You did a wonderful job on this project and thanks for making me learn a few new things today : )

ps: Love the Poplar storage box…I've always appreciated all of the wonderful colors that Poplar exhibits naturally : )
 

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Gene, thank you for the explanation of the game, as I wasn't familiar with it at all before your post.

Nice job on the playing pieces and the box is a wonderful save and use of that piece of poplar in using the grain and color variation in the manner that you did.
 

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That looks really neat. New to me.
Now my family wants me to build one.

Steve
 

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I think this explains the game perfectly : )
 

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Thanks for all the kind words and fun.
The poplar box is my favorite of the bunch even though it only shows up at the beginning and end of the game. I used a double rebate to give solid alignment of the lid and a much reduced profile. But I really love the colours.
gene
 

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that's one cool game! I am going to spend a lot of time on flights next month - going to make a version for taking on plane. there is an online version for practicing http://quarto.freehostia.com/en/index.php?LEVEL=0
I managed to beat it once (on level 1!) out of… never mind.
 
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