Ta Yü cover
1999BGG rank #2,779

Ta Yü

by Niek Neuwahl · Crown & Andrews Ltd.

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Players2–4
Time30–45m
ComplexityMedium-Light
Age10+

About the game

What is Ta Yü?

In Ta Yü, a game of connections, one side tries to extend from the starting tile in the center to reach the western and eastern edges of the board while the opposing side tries to reach the northern and southern edges. On your turn you simply draw a tile and decide where to place it, extending the network of tiles already on the board. Several refinements make this simple proposition into an engrossing game. First, each tile is 3x1 (to be played on a 19x19 board) and has exactly three outlets (potential connection points). Second, your score is not simply the number of spots you've reached on one edge added to the number of spots you've reached on the other, but is the product of those two numbers. So you can't just concentrate on one side and ignore the other, because zero times anything is still zero. Third, on each side of the board there are three special points which score double if reached, adding a dab of focus to the choices. Interestingly, you need to play both offense and defense and will often have to decide to which use to put a particular tile.

How it plays

Mechanics

ConnectionsTeam-Based GameTile Placement

On the shelf

Categories

Abstract Strategy

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in Ta Yü?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?