{"id":1895,"date":"2023-05-11T16:46:47","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T11:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/?p=1895"},"modified":"2023-07-24T07:21:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T01:51:38","slug":"what-are-solved-games-the-7-best-solved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/what-are-solved-games-the-7-best-solved\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Solved Games? The 7 Best-Solved Board Games of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"What_are_Solved_Games\">What are Solved Games?<\/span><\/h2><div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What_are_Solved_Games\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What are Solved Games?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_Best_Solved_Board_Games\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> The Best Solved Board Games<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#1_Checkers\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.1<\/span> 1. Checkers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2_Mancala\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.2<\/span> 2. Mancala<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3_Go\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.3<\/span> 3. Go<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4_Hex\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.4<\/span> 4. Hex<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5_Chess\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.5<\/span> 5. Chess<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6_Tic-tac-toe\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.6<\/span> 6. Tic-tac-toe<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#7_ReversiOthello\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.7<\/span> 7. Reversi(Othello)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Solved_Games_Conclusion\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Solved Games: Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p><br>The concept behind solved games is pretty weird. These are games that are \u2018mathematically solved.\u2019 This means that the game predetermines who will win the game. Then is there any purpose in playing the game at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Solved games have predictable outcomes. They are highly abstract games that are mathematically predefined winners based on the position of the board and the one who starts the game. There are two types of solved games. Partially solved games and fully solved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Here are some examples of solved<a href=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/why-do-i-hate-losing-board-games\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> board games<\/a>, both fully solved and partially solved. Let\u2019s see if these games are still worth playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"The_Best_Solved_Board_Games\">The Best Solved Board Games<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"1_Checkers\">1. Checkers<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><br>This game predetermines who will win the game based on who starts the game first. The game is very simple. There aren\u2019t many rules or regulations in it. This is a solved game, even if there is perfect play. By perfect play, I mean even if you try your best to win the game, the winner is already determined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>But that doesn\u2019t remove the fun of the game, does it? Checkers is still a popular game with kids around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"2_Mancala\">2. Mancala<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><br>This is, again, a game that has a predetermined winner. I think it\u2019s a good example of a partially solved game. You know who will win the game based on who begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>And yet, the game does involve some strategic thinking and planning. For instance, it\u2019s still up to you which load of pieces you would pick in order to avoid ending on a black spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Mancala is still a fun game to play and a personal childhood favorite. Most kids don\u2019t realize it\u2019s a solved game, so they enjoy playing Mancala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/tobias-tullius-eh_jRFhltAs-unsplash-min-681x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/tobias-tullius-eh_jRFhltAs-unsplash-min-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/tobias-tullius-eh_jRFhltAs-unsplash-min-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/tobias-tullius-eh_jRFhltAs-unsplash-min-768x1156.jpg 768w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/tobias-tullius-eh_jRFhltAs-unsplash-min-1021x1536.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/tobias-tullius-eh_jRFhltAs-unsplash-min-1361x2048.jpg 1361w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/tobias-tullius-eh_jRFhltAs-unsplash-min-scaled.jpg 1701w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"3_Go\">3. Go<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><br>This game is also a partially solved board game that is still fun to play. There are many different variants and possibilities in the game, and there is strategic thinking involved too.<br>When there is no AI involved, humans play on a 19&#215;19 board, which makes it more complicated than the 5&#215;5 or 7&#215;7 computer game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/elena-popova-xdXxY5C9PUo-unsplash-min-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"solved games\" class=\"wp-image-1900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/elena-popova-xdXxY5C9PUo-unsplash-min-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/elena-popova-xdXxY5C9PUo-unsplash-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/elena-popova-xdXxY5C9PUo-unsplash-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/elena-popova-xdXxY5C9PUo-unsplash-min-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/elena-popova-xdXxY5C9PUo-unsplash-min-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/elena-popova-xdXxY5C9PUo-unsplash-min-770x515.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"4_Hex\">4. Hex<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><br>This game is a solved game that guarantees a win for the first player every time. This also greatly depends on the size of the board, whether it is a 6&#215;6 or 8&#215;8 board. Smaller-sized boards are solved, but larger ones may have some variations, which makes it a partially solved game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"5_Chess\">5. Chess<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><br>I really didn\u2019t think chess would be a part of the list here, but here it is. It is difficult to think of chess as a solved or partially solved game because there is so much strategic thinking and IQ involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>I think the fact that chess is a partially solved game has a lot to do with the \u2018first player advantage\u2019 in the game. However, there is no real proof that the one who begins the game will win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Chess falls under partially solved because there is a limited amount of movements that can be made. Most of the movements are predictable through AI, which is why AI chess robots have unbeatable chess scores.<br>Some other variations of chess with fewer chess pieces have been fully solved.<br>Does this remove the purpose of playing chess? No, the game is still only predictable by AI, and there is a lot of strategy involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"6_Tic-tac-toe\">6. Tic-tac-toe<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><br>This is a solved game, even in perfect play. If no mistakes are made, the game is a draw. So yes, personally, I think playing Tic-tac-toe is plain boring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/solstice-hannan-yhBOqHOr0c-unsplash-min-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1901\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/solstice-hannan-yhBOqHOr0c-unsplash-min-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/solstice-hannan-yhBOqHOr0c-unsplash-min-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/solstice-hannan-yhBOqHOr0c-unsplash-min-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/solstice-hannan-yhBOqHOr0c-unsplash-min-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/solstice-hannan-yhBOqHOr0c-unsplash-min-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/solstice-hannan-yhBOqHOr0c-unsplash-min-370x370.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"7_ReversiOthello\">7. Reversi(Othello)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><br>This is another solved <a href=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/kallax-board-game-what-is-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">board game<\/a>, whether played on a 6&#215;6 or 4&#215;4 board. It\u2019s always a win for the second player.<br>But on an 8&#215;8 board, the game is mathematically unsolved. Computer analysis shows that it\u2019s most likely a draw. But there are greater chances of winning in a 10&#215;10 board for the starting player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Solved_Games_Conclusion\">Solved Games: Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Many simple games we have enjoyed playing as children are actually <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Solved_game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solved games<\/a>. And games that involve so much strategic thinking and wisdom, like chess, are actually partially solved.<br>But does that make these games any less fun? When we played Mancala and Tic-tac-toe as kids, we were blissfully unaware of it being solved. I think playing a game knowing that the winner is predetermined does remove the fun of it to an extent. But partially solved games are still a great way to relax and have fun with friends.<br>What do you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, read: <a href=\"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/why-are-board-games-called-board-games\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Why are board games called board games?<\/a><br>*All pics are taken from <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Unsplash.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are Solved Games?Contents1 What are Solved Games?2 The Best Solved Board Games2.1 1. Checkers2.2 2. Mancala2.3 3. Go2.4 4. Hex2.5 5. Chess2.6 6. Tic-tac-toe2.7 7. Reversi(Othello)3 Solved Games: Conclusion The concept behind solved games is pretty weird. These are games that are \u2018mathematically solved.\u2019 This means that the game predetermines who will win the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1898,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[577,8,576,574,572,571,575],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1895"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1895"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1895\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2477,"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1895\/revisions\/2477"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boardplaying.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}