CHIPPENHAM BOARDGAMES CLUB - 07/10/2010

1.       We had only 5 players in total, so we split into 2 groups.  On table 1 a group of 3 players played “LE HAVRE” at Mike’s request. This game is about building the port of Le Havre from its humble beginnings. Players gather different resources on offer at the quayside and use them later to construct new buildings, which will give them victory points at the game end. However although they own the building any player can use it if no other player is present in it. The buildings yield benefits to the player who uses it, such as the Abattoir turning Cattle into Meat for food purposes, or The Charcoal Burner turning Wood into Charcoal for power purposes. There are many options available on a players turn and logical decisions need to be taken to maximise the opportunities to advance your position. After each round of play the inhabitants must be fed and the number of food units required increases as the game goes on. Therefore players have to constantly generate this food or they may have to pay for it using victory points they have gained. In later stages players can construct ships if they have the right materials and power resources to do so and this means that food supplies are imported, which helps alleviate the position. The players have to sometimes adjust their strategy in the light of what has occurred and this makes it a good game in my opinion.  Lucy soon understood what was required and built up a great combination of buildings with which she slowly took control of the game and ran out a most convincing winner, as Mike and Roger had to spend victory points to feed their people. A bit embarrassing but the final scores were Lucy 111, Mike 33, Roger 16. Well done Lucy!!!.

2.       Table 2 saw 2 players engaged in “ARKADIA”, a game about building a 2-tier castle. Players use builders, cards, workers, and neutral workers to build houses in Arkadia. Houses are built with the seal of one of 4 families; this family gave the building order and will get the building player its seal. These seals can be changed for victory points. But seals are subject to changing values. The growing castle (every time a house is built, players also build on the castle) has the 4 seals on it as well, which decides the value of each seal. The castle is also the game's timer: once the second tier is built, the last round starts. The player with the most gold wins. It was a first-time play for Alistair but he managed to win a very close game against Geoff.

3.        All 5 players came together to play “ISLAS CANARIAS”, a game that Geoff introduced us to on 23^rd September, so the details are not reproduced here. However Lucy was new to the game but once again she grasped the mechanics quickly and won clearly from Roger to gain her second victory of the night. Mike was a woeful last again. 

Games played and Winners were:

Le Havre Lucy Newbury;

Arkadia – Alistair Gittin;

Islas Canarias Lucy Newbury.