Tsuro

Tsuro, The Game of the Path, is a tile-based abstract strategy board game for 2 to 8 players. The game centers on guiding paths drawn on square tiles, with players trying to keep their dragon token on the board longer than their opponents. The name Tsuro comes from a Japanese word meaning “path.”

Components and setup

The game uses a collection of square tiles, each with curved lines that connect edges. Each player receives a colored dragon token and starts with placement on the board’s edge as dictated by the rules. A draw stack of tiles is prepared, and players take turns drawing and placing tiles so that the new tile’s paths connect with the existing network on the board.

Gameplay

On a turn, a player draws a tile and places it on the board, rotating it as needed to connect with adjacent tiles. After placing, the player moves their dragon token along the paths starting from its current position to the next edge it reaches. If a dragon exits the board, the player is eliminated. If two dragons collide on a tile or path, both are eliminated. The game continues with the remaining players, and play ends when only one dragon remains on the board.

Variants and reception

Tsuro has inspired expansions and variants, including Tsuro of the Seas, which introduce additional tiles and a different thematic setting. The game is widely praised for its elegant, easy-to-learn rules and its emphasis on spatial reasoning and strategy, making it popular for family and casual play while offering depth for more competitive players.