The Game of the Generals, simply known as salpakan is a famous war game in the Philippines. Also called gg or gog, it is played for twenty to thirty minutes while the ranks of the playing pieces are hidden. This war game was invented and published by Sofronio H. Pasola Jr. in 1970. In this game popular in the Philippines, teams manage challenges. Like in a real war, the players’ teams engage in planning to beat opponents and win the game.
What is the Game of the Generals Board Game?
This war game takes players to the battlefield of armies at war, trying to achieve victory on the results of challenges. A group army and a neutral arbiter are involved in this game played within twenty to thirty minutes. The game simulates armies at war played by two players or teams. The battlefield for this war game is a 9×8 game board.
The GG or GOG board is a single-colored board, unlike chess which is double-colored. The two sets of 21 opposing playing pieces are hidden. Players’ task is to control an army in this war game fondly called or simply known as salpakan.
The opposing playing pieces in the game called GG feature a specific army rank and a neutral arbiter. The classes include one-star to five-star General, Colonel, Lt. Colonel, Captain, Major 1st Lieutenant, and 2nd Lieutenant. In addition, playing pieces are hidden and can also contain lower ranks such as Sergeant, Private Soldiers, and Spy.
Meanwhile, each side has a player’s Flag that must reach the opponent’s side to win the game. This war board game is playable within twenty to thirty minutes and is best for team play. A neutral arbiter decides the results of challenges between opposing playing teams.
How To Play the Game of the Generals board Game?
Players can position the ranks of the pieces anywhere on the board on their side. GG or GOG is playable within twenty minutes and made for two players only. In the planning stage, players must not go beyond the first three rows of the board from their side. The player simulates armies at war during the game. He can move forward or backward. Meanwhile, diagonal moves are not allowed in this board game.
Finally, the armies at war trying to achieve victory begin this most fondly called or simply known as ‘The Generals.’ The game, also called GG, starts by moving the playing pieces toward the opponent until the Flag reaches the enemy’s side. Then, the pieces should face the player so that the opponent will not see the ranks of the piece.
For challenges between opposing playing team players, this is when the arbiter of the game decides the results of challenges. Neutral arbiters decide the results by determining which piece is lower in rank. As arbiters decide the results, the pieces that remain on the battlefield are also determined. Take note that in challenges, the higher-ranked piece win the game.
The playing piece with higher rank remains on the battle board. If the opposing pieces have the same rank, both pieces are removed from the board. If there are flag-to-flag challenges between opposing playing teams, the arbiter declares the challenger as the winner.
Tactics + Playing Tips
The GG or GOG game rules and tactics in the game fondly called or simply known as Salpakan is slightly different from chess. In this board game played within twenty to thirty minutes, you are not allowed to make diagonal moves. So, position the ranks of your pieces where you can freely move forward-backward or right and left.
In the GOG, whose Filipino name is salpakan, the opposing playing pieces of the players can defeat lower ranks. Five-star general, four-star general, three-star general, two-star general, and one-star general can eliminate lower-ranked pieces. For example, the 2nd lieutenant can only defeat the Sergeant, the Private, and the Flag.
Moreover, the Sergeant can only beat the Private and Flag. Furthermore, the Spy can defeat all officers and the Flag. In this war-themed game, the Flags can only defeat the enemy Flag once it takes aggressive action.
Game Of The Generals Board Game Versions
Krig is one of the most popular online board games inspired by the game called GG. Krig is a two-player game with 21 playing pieces representing the soldiers or combatants.
Can I Play Online?
Yes. Players can play the online variant of the game whose Filipino name is Salpakan. Modifications to the original game make it more exciting. The most popular variant is the Krig, designed for two players.
Krig game rules are the same as the physical play of the game of the generals. The player’s identity remains hidden while controlling the army at war, trying to defeat opponents. Players can position one playing piece within their respective borders from enemy lines. The playing pieces are hidden and revealed when the game is over.
Can I Play Game of The Generals for Real Money?
No. You cannot win real money with GOG or GG unless you make challenges or bets with your friends or colleagues. However, this game is playable within twenty to thirty minutes; it is designed to make you feel like an army and a neutral arbiter.
FAQ
Here are frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Game of Generals board game.
Who Created the Game of The Generals?
The creator of this board game invented in the Philippines is Sofronio h Pasola Jr. Also, the game of the Generals’ Filipino name is Salpakan. Sofronio h Pasola Jr initially used the chessboard as the basis for an experimental game.
The opposing players simulate armies at war in this board game of the military, and there’s a neutral arbiter who decide the results. Eventually, Sofronio h Pasola Jr added spies and other details to the game before it became public.
Can I Play the Board Game Online?
Yes. Online versions are available in the Philippines, where a player simulates armies at war. It comes with a downloadable mobile app available on Google PlayStore. The mobile version involves controlling an army while the player’s identity is hidden. As the game progresses, commanding an army requires players to use strategic thinking to win against the opponent.
What Is the Object of The Board Game?
Taking the Flag until it reaches the opponent’s board side is the ultimate objective of the game of the generals. With its Filipino name Salpakan, the player aims to beat the other player’s pieces and their ranks. In this game, you need to wait until the arbiters decide the results on what pieces win and remain on the board.
The Game of the Generals was invented in the Philippines and designed for two players only. It involves controlling an army squad to conquer the opposing player’s Flag.
Can You Play Game of The Generals Online for Free?
Yes. There is an existing gaming app version for the game of the Generals board game. This game is available for free through Google PlayStore, and players can download the game app. The version is free, and it is an excellent iteration of the physical game played within twenty to thirty minutes.
How Do You Win The Game Of The Generals?
Playable within twenty minutes, this game tests your strategic planning and thinking skills to win. There are two ways to succeed in the game developed by Sofronio h Pasola Jr.
First when the player’s Flag reaches the opposite end of the board. The Player’s Flag should have at least one square distance from the opponent. The second is when your Flag is captured by any opposing pieces, including the Flag.