Many people, when they first see this puzzle, are reminded of M.C. Escher's work. The tiles are all the combinations of straight, convex and concave edges, transformed step by step from a regular square. The 36 tiles comprise the 24 permutations of hearts and spaces, plus 12 duplicates, divided into three colors. We use see-through colors to give the all-acrylic set a stained-glass look. It looks really nice displayed on an easel. The tray is 8½". Hundreds of symmetrical figures can be solved, and rules for 7 competitive games are also included, for 2 to 6 players, ages 12 to adult. $55

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43 curvy acrylic pieces of 1, 2, 3 and 4 "rounds" and "bridges" fill a 10x10 grid. The hefty booklet includes over 200 puzzles (some of these are the most difficult we've ever dreamed up) and rules for six competitive games. The scalloped-edge black tray is 8½", with pieces in jewel-like colors. A game grid is included, useful for both the games and the puzzles. Playable by 1 to 6 players, ages 12 to adult. Reviewed in Games Jr., April/May 1989. $55

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Limited first editions, only while supplies last!

CUBE BRICK^TM and COLOR UP^TM
...invented by Zdravko Zivkovic, developed with Kate Jones

Unique color-patterned cubes:  drawing on 6 colors, each cube is an all-different combination, and its six faces use its colors in every possible arrangement. Cube Brick has 15 cubes of 4 colors on its 2x2 faces, 90 different faces in all and a wealth of figures to solve by matching the cube edges, plus super challenges of 3-D shapes with non-matched solutions. Color Up has 3 colors per cube, 120 all-different faces and a great collection of figures. Games for beginners and experts are included. We have the beautiful first editions, handcrafted in Yugoslavia and numbered and signed by the inventor, in elegant wood cases. About 1½" cubes. For 1 to 4 players, ages 6 to adult.

Order Color Up, $59

Click here for image of gameboard

Games review, February 2005
Games 100 list, December 2005

Sir Roger Penrose's quadrilaterals form non-periodic symmetries (no regularly repeating patterns) out to infinity. They're sold by the pod of 5 kites, 3 darts, approximating the golden ratio. Recommended starter quantity for researchers — 20 pods (4 pods each of 5 assorted colors). All-acrylic tiles measure 1.25 inches on their longer sides. The master set (introduced in July 2004) contains 40 pods (320 pieces total, 8 pods each of five colors) plus a handsome 16" vinyl game mat with the grid structure shown at left. Using just three colors, players fill the spaces of the grid so that no two of the same color ever share sides. Two-fold goal:  have the fewest tiles remaining, and create a perfect non-matched Penrose pattern that fills the board. Suspenseful "patch play," when players repair a conflict in the color pattern, can suddenly reverse the lead. One false move and you lose your turn. For ages 10 to adult, 1 to 5 players.

Runner-up, best abstract strategy games,
Games 100 list, December 2007. Read the review.

A strategy game of selective acquisition! The modular gameboard consists of 15 black acrylic hexagon rings, 3" diameter, arranged as shown. Each "cave" holds two gems drawn at random from the velvet bag. Your goal is to collect 3 different types of gems on each turn, from three caves adjacent in a straight line. A wild card (clear stone) lets you collect a fourth, or alter the board. Six kinds of gems (102 in all) with varying values and quantities to collect with careful planning. Refill the caves from the bag after each turn and mark the harvested hollows with 3 black stones. At least one of your three caves must contain a black stone. Tally your hoard when the bag is empty. Most novel feature—the current player nominates who plays next! Don't worry, each player gets a turn in every round. Here are the full rules. Fascinating play for 1 to 5 players, ages 8 to adult. $55

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