Game On
These classic consoles won’t just test your mental mettle— they’ll also underscore your design savvy. We’ve paired each one with a tip to help you defend your home court
Photos by Melissa Punch
[4] Tic-Tac-Toe
The game might look simple, but tic-tac-toe is used to teach stock-market geeks the rudiments of combinatorial game theory. The nine-block grid offers 255,168 ways to win, lose, or draw.
Your edge: Making the first move more than doubles your chances of
winning. But no matter what order you’ve drawn, avoid the middle
outside squares. The center and corner squares are the power blocks:
They open three potential directions for winning while blocking three
lines from your opponent. The middle outside slots open only two
victory lanes.
The set: Plunk this solid brass, wood, and leather set on your coffee table and your victories will carry some serious
weight. The suede bottom keeps surfaces free of scratches, and the
brown leather top with topstitching cushions your every move. $395,
ralphlauren.com
[5] Go
Strategists in feudal China used Go to strengthen their tactical
skills. Players lay stones on a grid where lines intersect; the winner
grabs the most turf by surrounding empty spaces with stones. Surround
an opponent’s tiles to nab his soldiers.
Your edge: Build easily defended strongholds in the corners of the board and expand them along the sides.
The set: Made of vintage katsura or kaya timbers, the board below
strikes a solid presence in your room. The marble pieces and stone
storage pots echo the timelessness of the game. $1,500,
shogunsgallery.com
