King's Ransom Deluxe, from designer Frank Zazanis II, is a two-player strategy card game pitting royal rivals against each other. Using the basic mechanics of Chess, there's an additional layer of strategy due to each card entering play hidden from the opposing player's view.
On their turn, each player flips a face-down card so it is face up, and then moves any face-up card. He or she then announces check, if applicable. If no check is announced, then a card is placed face down, and a new card is drawn from the deck.
If you can set traps and lure your opponent into making mistakes, you might be able to snatch their King and ransom him for control of the kingdom!
This deluxe version contains all the cards in the original King's Ransom game, plus an additional 10 new piece types, 110 new cards (for a total of 160), and instructions for a four-player variation.
Contents:
One 8-page, full-color Rulebook
160 cards
One bright red, 9" x 11 7/8" Deluxe cardboard VPG game box
One beautiful box cover sleeve
One charcoal desiccant packet
Players: 2-4
Ages: 14+
Playtime: 30 min