Ed's Stratego Site - The Stratego Message Board

February, 2002

Hi Ed,

Awhile back I bought a European Jumbo edition of Stratego on eBay. When I opened it I discovered it has:

Nine blue Scouts (instead of eight) and only four blue Miners (instead of five)
One red Scout that was broken in half and glued back together

They're the mid '60s to early '70s plastic pieces w/a door emblem on the back.

Do you know of anyone that might want to sell or trade me one blue Miner and one red
Scout?

If you could post this request along with the attached jpg of the pieces on your message board, I'd appreciate it. The lighter pieces are red. (My scanner doesn't see red.)

Mike Rowles

Mike is a die-hard Stratego fan and a frequent poster to this Message Board. Can anyone help him with his request? Please note the two pieces he requires are the types of pieces that have the door emblem on the back of them. (This door emblem is very hard to see in the above photograph.) - Ed

March, 2002

Hi Ed,

I don't know where to begin. I want to:

1) Thank you for building such a fantastic website. I love board games - especially Stratego - and the information sharing you have established for the game is fantastic.

2) Thank you for the link you included to my "almost ready for prime time" website www.boardgameworld.com.

3) Give you a little more detail about the history of Stratego (although I've learned more from your website than I already knew!)

The additional information I would like to share is I own one of the first mass-produced Stratego Games (thanks to my dear friend Jimmy Reus who happens to be the Year 2000 Dutch National Monopoly champion). Jimmy saw the game in an antique shop in Amsterdam and bought it for me because he knew I was looking for old Stratego games and because I was helping him obtain old Monopoly games at the time.

My Stratego game was produced by "SMEETS Drukkerijen" which was one of the printing companies allowed by the Germans to operate printing businesses during World War II. During the war, the Smeets company was required (as were all printers under the Nazi occupation of Holland) to include a "K number" on each printed article. Each printer was assigned a unique K number. The K number assigned to Smeets was K2507.

This number K2507 is found on the Monopoly games that were produced between 1943 and 1947. Although my Stratego game bears no date on it anywhere, it does clearly bear the K number: K2507. I do not believe my Stratego game was made prior to 1945 because the rules are written in two languages, both Dutch an English, and I doubt the Dutch would have expected to sell the games to many English speaking people before the end of World War II. I also doubt they would have risked offending the Third Reich by attempting to sell the games to England or its allies. All the same, the game bears the K number K2507 and the rules claim, in both Dutch and English to "introduce a new game."

Of all of the Dutch editions of Stratego I've ever seen (with dates as far back as 1959) this is the only edition that claims to be introducing a new game. It is my guess Mr. Smeets, who, by the way, ultimately formed a partnership with a man named Schippers and went on to print many board games for many years (including Monopoly under license from Parker Brothers), simply continued printing the "K number" on many of the products that came from the "Smeets Drukkerijen" for a few years after the war. Perhaps he continued to do this because it was cheaper than adding his logo or perhaps he was simply "playing it safe" in case the Nazis returned! I have more guesses than answers. I only know my game is the earliest with the name "Stratego" I have ever seen - and I am eternally grateful to Jimmy Reus for his effort to get it for me.

Ed, I can send pictures of the game if you want. Instead of lakes, the area where the lakes should be is called "No man's land" (in Dutch of course). The highest rank is a General and the Miners are called "mechanics."

By the way, I have available for sale Stratego 4, Original Stratego, Travel Stratego, and Compact Stratego, all by JUMBO, who still license the rights to Stratego to HASBRO and Milton Bradley, and they are all in stock. (The rules to all the Stratego games I have for sale by JUMBO are in several languages including French, German, Spanish, and English. The only exception is Stratego 4 - it is only in Dutch. However, I can provide both official and unofficial translations for Stratego 4.) My website isn't set up to allow automatic purchasing yet. However, I respond quickly to all inquiries, whether the subject is buying a board game or just sharing information about games.

I like your website so much that anybody who sends me an e-mail or leaves a message on my answering machine telling me they found me from Ed's Stratego Site will get a discount (at least a couple of bucks) on any Stratego or Stratego 4 set they want to buy.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Mike McGuire
Boardgame World
West Valley City, Utah
USA
801 967-6113

Mike, please do send pictures as I'm sure others (not to mention myself) would enjoy seeing them! Also, many thanks for the additional information on Stratego's history and thanks for passing on a small discount to my visitors. - Ed

March, 2002

Ed,

Looking for some clarity to a rule in Ultimate Stratego for 4 players.

I was playing a team game the other night and had a Major guarding a captured Flag. Under the rule Escape, it states that

a Flag can move out of a Stockade only if no enemy Piece is standing guard on any of the four adjacent spaces.

Thus, I felt it was safely guarded with my Major. My opponents then placed a piece adjacent to the stockade on the other side, and therefore said that their Flag was rescued.

Rescue: If you move a Piece to a space adjacent to a Stockade where your Flag (or your ally’s Flag) is held captive, the Flag is rescued and placed immediately on a vacant space in its camp.

Do you have an opinion on this rule? They don't seem to be exactly clear on the four-player alliance version. I always read your message board so if anyone has feedback, I'd like to hear it.

Also, these two opponents exchanged notes during the game back & forth, writing down kills, etc. Isn't this cheating? I thought this game was based on memory, not note taking. Sure would like to hear from others out there if this is acceptable. I didn't think that it was.

You have a great website.

Regards,

Mike

Mike, I've never played Ultimate Stratego (believe it or not) but I can see why this is unclear, since the two rules do seem to be conflicting. However, it seems to me that this rule:

"A Flag can move out of a Stockade only if no enemy Piece is standing guard on any of the four adjacent spaces."

should take precedence over the Rescue rule. Thus, I don't think your opponents should have been able to rescue their Flag.

As far as exchanging notes back and forth, writing down kills etc., the easiest way to avoid arguments around that is to clarify the rules for all before the game begins. I'm sure many players do not allow it while other players have no problem with it. - Ed

April, 2002

Ed,

In February, Mike Rowles sent a note to you asking, "Do you know of anyone that might want to sell or trade me one blue Miner and one red Scout?" Although I can't help him with his request, I did find it interesting because I have a similar problem. I have two wooden sets. One set is perfect in every way, but the other set can be considered slightly flawed. Although the blue side has 40 pieces, the blue side has one extra Scout and one less Miner. The red side has the correct number of Scouts and Miners (eight and five) but the blue side has nine Scouts and only four Miners.

Do you know anybody who might be interested in selling one, wooden blue Miner or trading one, wooden blue Scout in exchange for one blue Miner?

Also, although I have two sets, the pieces are not exactly the same in color as per your "MISCELLANEOUS STRATEGO TIDBITS" section under: "all wooden pieces are not the same" as seen at:

http://www.edcollins.com/stratego/piece-comparison.htm

My complete set is the top row and my "extra Scout" set is in the set shown in the bottom row. I also like the bottom set much better because the blue color is richer and the images are silk-screened rather than stamped. (That's my perceived difference between these two early sets.)

Regards,

Dave O

April, 2002

I have been enjoying your Stratego website enormously.

In passing, let me mention I have always (probably ignorantly) pronounced it "Str'-Tee-Joe", with the "g" soft as in "strategy". (I have heard silly people pronounce it "Straight-Go".)

I am surprised your rule variations do not allow for some kind of player-strength ranking, and the possibility of handicapping. This is widespread in chess, where a stronger player will concede the use of one or more pieces. It is also standard in the Asian strategic placement board game Go, or "We'i Chi". The weaker player is allowed to begin with one, two, three, or even four pieces already placed for him or her, on designated handicapping positions.

For example, the pieces that come in multiples might be reduced in number for the stronger player: e.g. start with just one Colonel, or just two Majors, or similar reductive combinations.

Many thanks for an outstanding website!

John

As a tournament chessplayer, I agree that I or someone else should have made such a rule variation suggestion by now. Thank John. - Ed

April, 2002

Hey Hey! I found your Stratego site and wanted to pass along to you there is a new version of Stratego out... Star Wars!

Not too thrilling, unless you're a fan of Star Wars also... same basic Stratego play, although there are rule variations that give some of the pieces extra powers. The Flag is replaced with a Lightsaber, the Spy is replaced with either "The Force" or "Dark Side" (depending upon if you're playing the good guys or the bad guys) and the units are replaced with characters from all five movies (including Episode II).

And, of course, since cutting corners is all the rage in commercialism these days, not only do the included pieces have the same downfall as the current version of Stratego (applying the stickers) but there is no holding tray of any kind for the pieces. :(

This is very disappointing, as it is quite handy to play using the tray as a way to organize one's pieces both for storage and during various versions of game play. The worst part about this is the tray included with current versions of the game would have worked (though the plastic "castle" formations around the edge would have seemed out of place)... *However*, on a positive note, I did call Hasbro and talked with a *very* friendly customer service rep about the lack of a tray. I did emphasize a lack of a tray wasn't a *major* thing, but that it was still quite disappointing to not have one included. She was very understanding about the situation and said she'd pass my "complaint" (she didn't call it a complaint, but that's what it was) on to the appropriate people and asked for my shipping address and said she'd send a plastic tray out to me from the original version of the game!

So, my point was, if you would, when/if you update your website with news of this new version of Stratego, would you please recommend that others who purchase the game call Hasbro and *nicely* suggest that, in the future, if they make any other versions of Stratego they make sure to include a plastic tray? I mean, I don't know for certain my one call will make much of a difference, but maybe if some of the Stratego fan base calls in and lets Hasbro know we do actually care, maybe, just maybe they'll be sure to take this suggestion to heart. :)

Anywhoo, thanks for listening... and you've got a great website. I knew about the Ultimate and Legends versions of Stratego, but didn't know about Stratego 4 and Jr. I might have to do some searching for those. :)

Take care
UB

April, 2002

Hello,

First things first: I love your website! As a long-time player of Stratego, I think it's wonderful your site exists! I've especially enjoyed the strategy sections! Got some new ideas I can't wait to try! :)

Now for the real reason I'm writing to you today: As you already know, this week, Milton Bradley released a Star Wars version of Stratego. I purchased it the day it was released, and with the exception of the much-despised labels, it's really pretty neat! The special powers pieces can employ/allow for what I think are some neat gameplay variations. Plus, they also suggest several different variations involving the number of pieces used, etc. Being a Star Wars fan helps, but Stratego fans who aren't necessarily fans of the movies may still find that this one's worth picking up regardless. :)

One thing I did notice is that to date, the only picture anyone's given you was of the prototype box art. The final box art looks quite different. I also wanted you to be able to actually have a picture of the game board and pieces. So, I searched the 'net, and finally found a picture of the final box art with the board and pieces beside it. I've attached it to this e-mail. Feel free to post it on your website for all to enjoy! :)

As I own this version of the game, there is also a possibility that I could take more detailed close-up photos of my set, if you wish. I'd be quite happy to contribute to your most excellent website, so if I can be of service in that capacity, let me know. Of course, being the Stratego fan that you are, you should rush out and pick up a copy of your own. It's not even $13.00 at Wal*Mart stores... $12.77 or something like that. Pretty inexpensive for a game that will give so many hours of enjoyment! :)

Now if they'd just go back to the classic foil-stamped pieces. *Sigh*

Thanks again for making such a great website! Hope the information was useful to you!

Dan

April, 2002

Ed,

My name is John Reder. I've been a big fan of Stratego for about 28 years.

Many years ago a friend and I redesigned the game to make it a little more challenging by combining our sets and creating our own game board. Many years have gone by since those days but the memories of that game never went away and have always been in the back of my mind.

Over the last 15 years my programming skills have been developing and have become my career. On the side I've created a small software company that focuses primarily on the development of unique strategy games. I've just finished developing a game that brings me back to the days of our home-made Stratego variation and I wanted to share it with you and your community. Feel free to download a copy from my website at:

http://www.tacticalneuronics.com/content/FoF.asp

The game is called Fortress of Flags and is fully 3D. You'll need the latest version of DirectX installed to run it.

I plan to keep enhancing this game based on user feedback so feel free to send any comments to John.Reder@TacticalNeuronics.com.

Enjoy!

John

May, 2002

Hello Ed,

First of all, congratulations on your excellent Stratego website.

My name is Martin Huetter. I am 40 years old and live in Schenefeld, a town near Hamburg in Germany. In 2000, when teaching Stratego to my 8-year-old son, I began to feel the need for a tool for visualizing and analyzing games.

During the early 1990s, I served as a captain with German armored forces, and was involved in the development of a battlefield management system for the Leopard II tank fleet (something like the IVIS of US armored forces). After leaving the army in ‘93, I founded an IT company of my own.

So, building upon past experience, I developed the so-called "Schenefelder Notation" (named after my home-town), similar to the algebraic notation of chess, though more complex. Based on this notation, I wrote a program that digitizes previously video-recorded Stratego games. The result can be brought to various manifestations, i.e., Microsoft Excel or plain text.

I'm sending four files to you, which are more or less self-explanatory. Please feel free to post the files on your Message Board.

The first and second files are a digitized version (rtf and xls) of a game played by two top-ranking German players, Peter Niederloh and Jens Schulze, recorded in March of this year.

The third and fourth files (again, rtf and xls) is a game I recently played against a German Stratego league player, Kolja Mende.

Being a lousy Stratego player myself, I was kind of shy about contributing to the community, especially with such a high-impact project. To have a really presentable version of this notational scheme and its manifestations, I took some time to develop and test, test, test. In March of this year, my first step was to contact players of the German league in order to get their opinion.

Properly used, Schenefelder Notation can be the cornerstone of a decent Stratego literature to come. For that purpose, a whole lot more digitized games are needed as a basis for discussions and move-by-move analyses. Unfortunately, seen from a notational point of view, Stratego games are a highly volatile thing. Currently, converting a game into Schenefelder Notation is done this way:

1. Both players write down their initial piece setups before the game starts.

2. A video-camera on a tripod approximately 80cm above the board records the whole game.

3. The setups and the slow-motion replayed moves are fed to a computer, preferably with the help of a barcode-board.

4. The software does the rest.

Of course, this consumes a lot of time. The ratio here is 1 to 3, i.e. 1 hour playing means 3 hours of notational work. So, when thinking about next steps, a sensor-equipped board is my favorite. But first of all it is important to build up a big pool a digitized games.

Best regards,

Martin Huetter

May, 2002

Dear Ed,

Your website brings back some great memories. Back in the early 1960s, my best friend and I played Stratego and Risk all through summer vacation. (Mostly Stratego.) I believe we played the game with the early wood pieces. We eventually evolved rules for paratroopers and tanks, but the basic game was always best. We lived in Mobile, Alabama then. Today we are both 52. He lives in Chicago and I live in a small town not far from Mobile. Our game has long since gone to the landfill.

After I married and settled down, I began to explore the burgeoning hobby of historical board wargaming (late 1970s). I played (or attempted to play) several of those cardboard-unit monstrosities -- massive exercises in mind-numbing boredom, amounting to little more than who could endlessly calculate mathematical ratios the best. This had nothing to do with the challenge of true military strategy, nothing to do with those elements which make military history fascinating.

The art of military strategy includes the element of surprise, bluff and counter bluff, having to commit forces to battle without knowing the enemy's strength, diversionary moves, feint-here-but-strike-there, the necessity of anticipating your opponent's next move, and knowing when to attack and when to retreat. I attempted a dozen or so of these games and found them all to be wanting in this regard. Worst of all, all the pieces (counters, they call them) are turned face up, so that each player always knows just what his opponent has. What an absurd excuse for a strategy game! I realized, of course, that my old game of Stratego had most of these strategic elements, and most especially the "fog of war" feel simply because of the hidden strength of the pieces. Stratego had outdone all its sophisticated cousins!

Finally, around 1990, I discovered a wargame company called Columbia Games. They seemed very much a direct descendant of Stratego because, like Stratego, they use stand-up wood blocks which conceal the strength of each piece from your opponent. Also, instead of using complex odds/ratios to determine combat results, they use a simple and logical dice comparison based on the relative strengths of the opposing forces. Suddenly battles were fast and furious, the game was swift and tense, and real strategic decisions determined whether you won or lost. All of their games are modeled on real historical conflicts: Waterloo, Civil War, War of 1812, W.W.II, etc. Some are better than others, but the best ones offer all the challenges of Stratego, plus some, and within the context of a historical scenario. Where there are shortcomings, a little homemade rules-fiddling goes a long way.

My guess is that you're familiar with Columbia's games. If so, do you think they were inspired by Stratego? Have you ever played their games?

Regards,

Mike Whitney