TicTacToe

TicTacToe is a classic pen-and-paper tabletop game, but this time instead of against a classmate, you’ll test your master tactics against an AI. You’ll always play first and have an initial advantage, so this game is perfect for smaller children who are just starting to develop strategic thinking. Additionally, it’s a great way to introduce young kids to basic math combinatorics.

If you’ve ever played this game for a while, you probably realized that if each player makes perfect moves, the result is always a draw. Making mistakes is the loss condition. But did you know that archeological evidence suggests that three-in-a-row games were played as early as 1300 BC in ancient Egypt?! It’s quite fascinating to think about the longevity and enduring appeal of this game concept.

How to play TicTacToe

Competitors alternately place Xs and Os on a 3-by-3 grid. The first one to align 3 marks in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally wins the game. The most common strategy is to mark the center first, so it’s a good place to start.

Even before making your move, think through a couple of the following ones. After the opponent places the mark, analyze its position and eliminate all potential threats. Proceed with the execution of your plan if possible, or adapt your strategy to newly arisen circumstances when necessary.

In chess, creating a fork is always a sought-after position, and the same principle can be applied to any board game. The idea is forcing the opponent into choosing which of the two equally bad moves to make, which effectively wins you the game.