The 21st century has seen a board game renaissance. At a time when streaming television finds millions of viewers, video games garner billions of dollars, and social media grows ever more intense, little has been written about the rising popularity of board games. And yet board games are one of our fastest growing hobbies, with sales increasing every year. Today's board games are more than just your average rainy-day mainstay. Once associated solely with geek subcultures, complex and strategic board games are increasingly dominating the playful media environment. The popularity of these complex board games mirrors the rise of more complex cult media products. In Game Play: Paratextuality in Contemporary Board Games, Paul Booth examines complex board games based on book, TV, and film franchises, including Doctor Who, The Walking Dead, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, The Hunger Games and the worlds of H.P. Lovecraft. How does a game represent a cult world? How can narratives cross media platforms? By investigating the relationship between these media products and their board game versions, Booth illustrates the connections between cult media, gameplay, and narrative in a digital media environment.

Frustrated with studying endgames that never seem to occur in your own games? Finally, help is here Essential Endgames Every Tournament Player Must Know is a carefully selected compilation of the most frequently encountered endgames occuring in practice. This book contains vital lessons for every tournament chessplayer involving those endgames which can be defined by clear and concise rules, summarized by the most important themes and require the application of specific technical principles to solve them.

You don't have to be a genius to enjoy chess. The practical instruction provided here can help anyone progress from first-timer or novice to capable intermediate player in no time at all, while instilling an understanding of the game's fundamentals, and providing a strong foundation for future advancement. The game's history, the basic moves for each piece, and strategies for openings, middle game, and endgame positions are all covered, and you can measure your progress with the exercises that follow each section. Checkmating tips are included, as is advice for salvaging a draw when you have a weakened position. Unlike many other chess books, the lessons included here are designed for "real-world" play, using positions that newer players are more likely to encounter. Also featured is a foreword by renowned chessmaster, teacher, and columnist Bruce Pandolfini, who was the instructor played by Ben Kingsley in the film Searching for Bobby Fischer and the chess consultant for the miniseries The Queen's Gambit.

Jonathan Adler Helsinki Peggable Chess Set from Galison is a chic and contemporary set for any game enthusiast. This set features a peggable chess construction with modernist forms for the 32 chess pieces and symbols. Adler fans and anyone who loves good design and fun will enjoy this game set! Makes a perfect gift. * Box: 7.8 x 7.8 x 2.8", 198 x 198 x 71 mm * 32 Wood Chess Pieces * 1 Portable Chess Board * Instructions are included * Perfect for playing on the go!

In "Chess for Everyone," national chess master and coach Robert M. Snyder introduces chess to the beginner in twenty graduated lessons. Mr. Snyder teaches the basic principles and then builds the student's knowledge in a clear and consistent manner. The reader is given a solid foundation in:

Basic rules(piece movements, checkmate, castling, en passant, drawn game and more). Opening principles, traps and a basic opening system. Middlegame strategy (checkmate patterns and tactics). Basic endgame strategy including basic checkmates and King and Pawn endings. Upon completing "Chess for Everyone" students can continue to expand their knowledge in all areas of the game by reading the other volumes in the "Chess for Everyone" series.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY - everyone will love this traditional game featuring 64 of the world's best loved and fascinating trees PLAY AND LEARN - this board game comes with a leaflet with interesting information and quirky facts for all the trees featured in the game. Learn about familiar trees such as the chestnut, oak, magnolia, and ash, as well as lesser known species like the blue quandong and dragon's blood GREAT GIFT - perfect for nature or conservation lovers of all ages, for families who love playing games, and for families who enjoy spending quality time together SOMETHING TO TREASURE - this is a quality product made to last, with beautiful illustrations and attractive packaging EXPLORE THE ENTIRE SERIES - this game is part of the bestselling bingo series, a collection of games for nature lovers and enthusiastic board gamers. Other games in the series include Bug Bingo, Cat Bingo, Dog Bingo, Monkey Bingo, Ocean Bingo and Royal Bingo Play bingo with 64 spectacular trees from around the world. Each player gets a game card with 25 trees: be the first to get all the trees on your card to win BINGO! The accompanying booklet notes the distinguishing features of each tree, along with fascinating nuggets of information about how humans and animals live alongside them.

With 32 pegged chess pieces and a gamebook that a) teaches you how to play and b) makes you look smart, this chess set by Brass Monkey is perfect for newbies and experts alike. Bonus: everything stores away into the box (that is also the game board), so it's perfect for traveling. * Features unique 'peggable' style chess pieces that fit (and stay put) in the holes of the included chessboard. * Perfect for traveling (or playing during deep-sea fishing expeditions). * Includes a gamebook that teaches beginners how to play...and gives experts something to make fun of. * Everything (including the chessboard) packs away into the display-worthy box. * Box measures 7.8" square (by 2.8" deep if you're curious).

The Imperium series continues in this asymmetric card-based civilisation building game for 1–4 players, charting the rise and fall of fourteen of the greatest civilisations from history. Formidable adversaries are arrayed against you. Your people stand ready. History beckons. In your hands lies the destiny of one of the most storied peoples of history. Under constant threat of attack, you must conquer new lands, oversee dramatic scientific and cultural advances, and lead your people into the era of empire. Expand too rapidly and unrest will bring your civilisation to its knees; build up too slowly, however, and you might find yourself a mere footnote of history. As one of fourteen radically asymmetric civilisations, you will compete to become the most dominant empire the world has ever seen. Imperium: Horizons is a standalone game that contains an astonishing fourteen distinctive civilisations, each of which makes for a unique and challenging opponent, even in a solo game. Fully compatible with Imperium: Classics and Imperium: Legends for those wanting to expand their pool of civilisations even further, Imperium: Horizons also incorporates a new trade module that allows players to recreate all the intrigue, wealth generation, and dynamic politics of a thriving economy. Players: 1–4 Ages: 14+ Playing Time: 40 mins per player Contents: 550 cards, 150+ tokens

Having learnt the basic moves, how exactly should a player improve?In this much loved classic, Irving Chernev explains 33 complete games in detail, telling the reader the reason for every single move. Playing through these games and explanations gives a real insight into the power of the pieces and how to post them most effectively.

Take a look back at the last 12 months of Dungeons & Dragons Discover all there is to know about the latest campaigns, explore legendary locations and brush up on fearsome monsters you might meet on your adventures. With activities, interviews with awesome podcasters and streamers and more epic content, this will keep fans rolling for another twelve months.