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Onitama is the game I describe as chess for people who find chess intimidating, and chess players usually agree it holds up. It is a two-player abstract played on a five-by-five grid, where both players move their pieces using a rotating set of movement cards. No memorising piece types. No decades-long theory to study. Just you, the cards in play, and a satisfyingly small puzzle.
Designed by Shimpei Sato and published by Arcane Wonders, Onitama plays in around 15 minutes. It is beautifully produced, easy to learn, and produces more genuine strategy than its rules overhead suggests.
What Is Onitama?
Each player has five pieces: a master and four students. The board is a five-by-five grid. Five movement cards are in play at the start of each game, drawn randomly from a deck of sixteen. Two are dealt to each player; one sits in the centre as a neutral card.
On your turn, choose one of your two movement cards, move a piece according to its pattern, then swap that card with the neutral card in the centre. Your opponent does the same on their turn. The movement options shift every round as cards rotate through.
Two ways to win: capture your opponent’s master piece, or move your own master onto your opponent’s starting square (called the Temple Gate).
Key Game Information
| Players | 2 |
| Play time | 15 minutes |
| Designer | Shimpei Sato |
| Publisher | Arcane Wonders |
| Categories | Abstract Games, Two-Player Games, Strategy Games, Filler and Quick Games |
| Mechanics | Area Control, Direct Interaction, Hand Management |
| Theme | Abstract and Minimalist, History and Mythology |
| Complexity | Light to Medium-light |
| Best for | Players who enjoy chess-like strategy but want something faster, lighter, and more approachable |
How to Play Onitama
Setup takes about two minutes. Lay out the board, place pieces on the back rows (master in the centre, students either side), deal two movement cards to each player, place one in the neutral position.
On your turn:
- Choose one of your two movement cards.
- Move any one of your pieces according to the movement pattern on that card, relative to its current position.
- Place the used card in the neutral position. Take the card that was there into your hand.
If you land on an opponent’s piece, you capture it. Capture the master and you win. Move your master to the opponent’s Temple Gate square and you win.
The movement cards include patterns like a single diagonal step, a knight’s-move leap, a long forward advance, or a wide sideways sweep. No two games have the same set of five cards, which changes the tactical landscape completely.
| At our table I had my opponent pinned into a corner. Two moves from capturing their master. They used a card I had completely forgotten was in the rotation, slipped their master sideways, and captured mine two turns later. The card rotation is the game. Never forget what your opponent can reach. |
Playing at Different Player Counts
Onitama is a two-player game only. It is designed around a head-to-head duel. There are no multiplayer variants.
Playing Solo
There is no official solo mode. Onitama is a purely competitive game. For solo abstract puzzles, apps like Chess or Shogi serve that need better.
Components and Production Quality
The components are beautiful. The piece sculpts are elegant and clearly themed around martial arts. The board has a subtle texture and the card artwork is clean and distinctive. Everything fits in a compact, well-designed box.
The Sensei’s Path expansion is sold separately and doubles the card pool. The base game is complete without it, but the expansion is worth getting after a few plays.
| Quick verdict Onitama has some of the best component quality at this price point. It looks great on the table and the pieces feel premium. |
Expansions
- Sensei’s Path: Adds 16 new movement cards. The single best upgrade: more variety without more complexity.
- Way of the Wind: Adds a wind spirit piece that both players can use. Changes positioning dynamics.
- Promotional cards: Several convention and store promotional cards have been released. Worth tracking down if you play regularly.
Digital Versions
Onitama is available on iOS and Android as an official app with AI opponents, online multiplayer, and card set customisation. The AI is strong and a good way to learn the tactical patterns before playing a human opponent. Also available on Steam.
Onitama is not currently on Board Game Arena.
If You Like Onitama, Try These
- Hive: Two-player abstract with insect movement rules. More complex, more portable.
- Azul: No head-to-head combat but shares the accessible depth and satisfying spatial puzzle.
- Hey, That’s My Fish!: Spatial strategy on a shrinking hex board. Similar ease of entry and hidden depth.
- Santorini: Three-dimensional grid strategy. Abstract, quick, lots of tactical depth.
- Chess: If Onitama ignited an interest in abstract strategy, here is where the rabbit hole goes.
Final Thoughts
Onitama is one of the best abstract games available. It teaches in five minutes, plays in fifteen, and the card rotation system generates genuinely different tactical situations in every game.
It is strictly two-player and has no solo mode. Within those constraints it is close to perfect: beautiful to look at, satisfying to handle, and deep enough to play for years without running out of things to discover.
If you are looking for a chess alternative that you can teach to anyone, Onitama is the answer.
Onitama is the best game for anyone who wants the feel of chess without the homework.
Buy Onitama
Don’t just take my word for it
Here are some other reviews of Onitama