Basic game and expert game
GAME DURATION
If played with a time limit (for example 30 sec per turn) the game duration is limited to max. 20-40 minutes. If not, a Malki game can last as long as a chess game or a game of Go. The Malki game is best served at room temperature and played with 4 colors !
BASIC GAME for 2 or 4 players
The basic game is played with 2 or 4 colors, each player having one color to play with.
(EASY)
(EASY)
EXPERT GAME for 2, 3 or 4 players
The expert game is always played with 4 colors. It is a 2 vs 2 game, playing with adjacent colors or opposite colors (see set up).
If played with 2, both players have two colors to play with.
(MODERATE DIFFICULTY)
If played with 3, one player disposes of two colors, playing against the two other players, who form an alliance (each of them having one color to play with).
(MODERATE TO HIGH DIFFICULTY)
In the expert game for 4 players, two players play against the two other players, each having one color to play with.
(HIGH DIFFICULTY)
In the expert games it suffices that one King of an alliance reaches the center of the board to win the game.
All other rules of the game remain unchanged.
If played with 2, both players have two colors to play with.
(MODERATE DIFFICULTY)
If played with 3, one player disposes of two colors, playing against the two other players, who form an alliance (each of them having one color to play with).
(MODERATE TO HIGH DIFFICULTY)
In the expert game for 4 players, two players play against the two other players, each having one color to play with.
(HIGH DIFFICULTY)
In the expert games it suffices that one King of an alliance reaches the center of the board to win the game.
All other rules of the game remain unchanged.
malki FOR CHILDREN AGED 6+
The rules are simplified as follows,
- the mage (sorcerer) can only capture pieces (as warlords do)
- the King is unable to enchant or capture pieces
All other rules of the game remain unchanged.
(VERY EASY)
- the mage (sorcerer) can only capture pieces (as warlords do)
- the King is unable to enchant or capture pieces
All other rules of the game remain unchanged.
(VERY EASY)
inspired by malki players
THE "WICKED & HILARIOUS" 3-PLAYER VARIATION
This variant for 3 players was played by Manu, Karel & Benny once in while (a game for 3 players, while using the 4 colors).
Way of playing,
Each player has one color to play with. Every next round the players, in turn, are allowed to play with the 4th color, using it to their own advantage (of course). Wicked and hilarious!
All rules of the Malki game remain unchanged.
(MODERATE DIFFICULTY)
Way of playing,
Each player has one color to play with. Every next round the players, in turn, are allowed to play with the 4th color, using it to their own advantage (of course). Wicked and hilarious!
All rules of the Malki game remain unchanged.
(MODERATE DIFFICULTY)
THE "SIMPLIFIED" EXPERT GAME FOR 2 PLAYERS
This Malki version was played with adjacent colors by two unknown ladies during the Ghent Feasts Festival, 2019 Edition - revalued by Martijn & Nicolaas in 2023, playing it with opposite colors.
Way of playing,
Playing the expert game for 2 players, each playing with two colors, but moving only one piece out of the two colors in a turn. The player is not bound to a fixed order of the colors (otherwise clockwise), and may each turn choose which of the two colors he/she plays with.
All rules of the Malki game remain unchanged.
(MODERATE TO HIGH DIFFICULTY)
NOTE:
At the time we believed it to be a simplified variation on the expert game for 2, 3 or 4 players. Were we wrong!
Indeed, having to move only one piece out of the two colors makes it somehow easier, or even slower, but considered from the perspective of complexity the Malki game becomes even more challenging. For following reasons,
- each player is not limited to playing with a particular color, but has two colors to choose from each turn (and thus has twice as many options)
- this variant can be played with 2, 3 or 4 players
- in case of 3 or 4 players, both players of an alliance, in turn, have both colors to choose from
- so in this variant it is actually not a color's turn, it is a player's turn!
The chemistry between the two colors of an alliance is less present maybe, but it is not absent, either. This variant definitely required another way of thinking. Awesome! The major advantage of this version is to be found in the endgame, where it is no longer 'game over' for the player who loses a King (and its color), as he does not lose a turn with that King.
Way of playing,
Playing the expert game for 2 players, each playing with two colors, but moving only one piece out of the two colors in a turn. The player is not bound to a fixed order of the colors (otherwise clockwise), and may each turn choose which of the two colors he/she plays with.
All rules of the Malki game remain unchanged.
(MODERATE TO HIGH DIFFICULTY)
NOTE:
At the time we believed it to be a simplified variation on the expert game for 2, 3 or 4 players. Were we wrong!
Indeed, having to move only one piece out of the two colors makes it somehow easier, or even slower, but considered from the perspective of complexity the Malki game becomes even more challenging. For following reasons,
- each player is not limited to playing with a particular color, but has two colors to choose from each turn (and thus has twice as many options)
- this variant can be played with 2, 3 or 4 players
- in case of 3 or 4 players, both players of an alliance, in turn, have both colors to choose from
- so in this variant it is actually not a color's turn, it is a player's turn!
The chemistry between the two colors of an alliance is less present maybe, but it is not absent, either. This variant definitely required another way of thinking. Awesome! The major advantage of this version is to be found in the endgame, where it is no longer 'game over' for the player who loses a King (and its color), as he does not lose a turn with that King.
THE 3-PLAYER "COOPERATIVE" VARIANT
This variant, played by Maxim & friends, is played with 3 players vs the 4th color, and is actually a cooperative game! Or is it playing 'the devil's advocate'?
Way of playing,
- each player has one color to play with, but they all play as allies, so they don't fight each other
- instead, they play against the 4th color (white)
- the 3 allies play in turn, according to the order of the clock
- white plays every next turn (by the 3 players, in turn)
It turned out to be extremely challenging, so Maxim & his friends had to limit the options of white and did so by adding a rule: if the white King can move forward, then he must.
In this variant it suffices for the alliance to have one King to conquer the center of the board to win the game. If white wins they all lose the game.
Apart from the rule that was added, all rules of the Malki game remain unchanged.
(HIGH DIFFICULTY)
Way of playing,
- each player has one color to play with, but they all play as allies, so they don't fight each other
- instead, they play against the 4th color (white)
- the 3 allies play in turn, according to the order of the clock
- white plays every next turn (by the 3 players, in turn)
It turned out to be extremely challenging, so Maxim & his friends had to limit the options of white and did so by adding a rule: if the white King can move forward, then he must.
In this variant it suffices for the alliance to have one King to conquer the center of the board to win the game. If white wins they all lose the game.
Apart from the rule that was added, all rules of the Malki game remain unchanged.
(HIGH DIFFICULTY)
THE "risky business" variant for 4 players
This Malki version, brewed by Sven & Luc, was played for the first time at a game night at The Malki Café (April 25th 2024).
Way of playing,
Playing the basic game for 4 players, each having one color to play with. Then adding “a touch of Risk”…
In addition to the main mission, which is to conquer the center of the board, the players each have a secret mission to complete. You either win by conquering the middle square or by completing your secret mission. Being able to interact, influence and negotiate is appropriate in this version.
The 7 secret missions are,
(MODERATE TO HIGH DIFFICULTY)
(HIGH FUN FACTOR)
Way of playing,
Playing the basic game for 4 players, each having one color to play with. Then adding “a touch of Risk”…
In addition to the main mission, which is to conquer the center of the board, the players each have a secret mission to complete. You either win by conquering the middle square or by completing your secret mission. Being able to interact, influence and negotiate is appropriate in this version.
The 7 secret missions are,
- have your five guards lined-up in a row (either horizontal, vertical or diagonal)
- enchant 3 pieces in 3 consecutive turns
- reach the opposite side with one of your pieces
- have 11 playing pieces in total
- have 3 mages or 3 warlords (of the same kind, cross or square) lined up in a row (either horizontal, vertical or diagonal), including at least one piece of your own color
- have your pieces in the following 4-in-a-row order: guard, warlord-cross, mage, warlord-square (either horizontal, vertical or diagonal)
- have only 5 pieces left, each of a different kind
(MODERATE TO HIGH DIFFICULTY)
(HIGH FUN FACTOR)
distributing the secret missions for the "Risky business" variant
If you play the Malki game LIVE, use the secret mission cards to print & distribute (PDF).
- Shuffle the cards and have all players pick one card. Each player now knows his secret mission. Don’t show this card to the other players.
- Leave the remaining cards covered during the game
- In the live version two players cannot have the same mission
| malki_with_a_touch_of_risk_-_secret_missions.pdf |
regarding the set up
In accordance with the rules of the game, the classic setup is as follows.
The very first Malki Tournament (2019) inspired Joost to experiment with the setup. Interesting...
The very first Malki Tournament (2019) inspired Joost to experiment with the setup. Interesting...
CLASSIC SET UP
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ROMAN SET UP (BY JOOST)
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malki online play
This fun little Malki Game app, online version developed by Martijn,
allows you to play the basic game for 4 players or the expert game for 2, 3 of 4 players.
-
It's still a work-in-progress, but one that works well!
(if offline for maintenance, try again later)
allows you to play the basic game for 4 players or the expert game for 2, 3 of 4 players.
-
It's still a work-in-progress, but one that works well!
(if offline for maintenance, try again later)
tap the picture to PLAY the MALKI GAME
tap the picture FOR MORE INFO