This document contains a list of suggested reading material, such as books and article (magazines and also on the web) on abstract strategy games. Where possible, entries will include tile, a short description, author, publisher, and year if available. Also includes is a list of reference websites.
“Board & Table Games from Many Civilizations” (Two-volume) by Bell
“The Book of Games: Strategy, Tactics & History” by Jack Bottermans
Contains a few abstract strategy games not found elsewhere, plus excellent diagrams. Makes a great coffee table book.
“The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants” by David Prichert.
This is the standard reference for chess variants.
“Connection Games: A Variation on a Theme” by Cameron Browne: http://www.akpeters.com/product.asp?ProdCode=2248
This is THE reference guide to connection games.
“A Gamut of Games” by Sid Sackson
“Hex Strategy: Making the Right Connections” by Cameron Browne
“History of Board Games other than Chess” by Murray
“The Immortal Game” by David Shenk: http://www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/immortalgame/book_synopsis.php
This covers the history of chess and how it developed and evolved over time.
“Medieval Games” by Jeffrey A. DeLuca (“Salaamallah the Corpulent”)
Contains some more obscure titles and history of games not found elsewhere. Goes beyond just abstract strategy games.
“New Rules for Classic Games” by Schmittberger
“New Games Treasury” by Mohr
“Oxford History of Board Games” by Parlett
“A History of Chess” by H.J.R. Murray (1913), ISBN 0-936317-01-9.
“The Oxford Companion to Chess (second edition)” by David Hooper, Kenneth Whyld (1992) ISBN 0-19-866164-9.
“Games Ancient and Oriental and How to Play Them” by Edward Falkener (1892, re-issued 1961) ISBN 0-486-20739-0
Abstract Games Magazine by Handscomb (out of print)
Abstract Strategy's List of Traditional Abstract Strategy Games: http://www.abstractstrategy.com/traditional.html
The Abstract Strategy's website list of traditional abstract strategy games.
“Defining the Abstract” by J. Mark Thompson: http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/DefiningtheAbstract.shtml
Goes into J. Mark Thompson's criterion for what is an abstract strategy game. This document has had an influence on the criterion IAGO uses for determining what is or is not an abstract strategy game.
lurgee.net “Abstract Games”: http://lurgee.net/abstract-strategy-games/
This is one way to describe the elements of an abstract strategy game.
GoFreeGames's list of game genres: http://www.gofreegames.net/GenreDescription/tabid/365/Default.aspx
This has a good definition of abstract strategy games.
Abstract Strategy: http://www.abstractstrategy.com/main.html
Contains large list of strategy games, including many commercial abstract strategy games.
Abstrakta: http://www.pergioco.net/Abstrakta.htm
Per la valorizzazione dei giochi astratti in Italia. Por la valorigo de la abstraktaj ludoj en Italujo. For the development of abstract games in Italy.
Boardgame Geek: http://www.boardgamegeek.com
THE online site for everything boardgames, abstract strategy or otherwise.
Chess Variants: http://www.chessvariants.org
This is the website for chess variants (Royal Elimination games) on the Internet.
IAGO's Master List of Abstract Strategy Games: http://abstractgamers.org/wiki/iago-abstracts-list
This is IAGO's attempt to categorize every know abstract strategy game and classify them by its definitions of abstract strategy games document.
M. Winther's Boardgame site: http://hem.passagen.se/melki9/
Another useful reference source containing multiple abstract strategy games of all types, including a section on chess variants.
Online Guide to Traditional Games: http://www.tradgames.org.uk/features/board-games.htm
This contains a list of classic abstract strategy games
World of Abstracts: http://www.di.fc.ul.pt/~jpn/gv/
This is for everything not a Royal Elimination Game (Chess family) or commercial abstract strategy games.