Abstract strategy game

Abstract strategy games are games like chess, draughts and Go. They are typically strategy games with minimal or no narrative theme, an outcome determined mostly by player choice (with minimal or no randomness), and in which there is little to no hidden information. Many abstracts are also perfect information games. Pure abstract strategy games are typically deterministic, fully observable, and governed by simple, explicit rules whose strategic depth arises from combinatorial complexity rather than chance. Abstract strategy games are also games of analytical skill, usually with significant depth or strategic complexity. Skill grows over time as players develop experience, and a greater understanding of a specific game. Experienced players with greater ability to analyze multiple moves in advance will almost always beat beginners at abstract strategy games.

There are numerous types of abstract strategy games, from pure strategy to mixed strategy games that may have elements of random or hidden information. Go, Pente and checkers are "pure" abstract perfect information games since they perfectly fulfill all three criteria; Chess games, Tafl games and Hive feature recognizable themes (though they are highly stylized or minimalistic); Stratego is a borderline or exception case, since it is deterministic, loosely based on Napoleonic warfare, and features some concealed information. Furthermore, some games with elements of chance, like backgammon and pachisi, may also be considered abstract strategy games, though there is disagreement on this issue among ludologists. However, since they contain an element of luck and randomness, they are not "pure" abstract strategy games.

Several traditional abstract strategy games like Chess and Go have a long history and are culturally significant products that have been played for generations in various regions of the world. Beyond entertainment, abstract strategy games have served as educational tools to teach logic, patience and foresight. They have also served as status symbols for the intelligentsia and elite classes, and as competitive mind sports. For example, during the Cold War, Chess matches were seen as intellectual battles between East and West.