Djambi: The Ultimate Guide to Rules, Winning Strategies & Game Instructions

1. Introduction

Djambi, also known as Machiavelli, is a board game that combines elements of chess and checkers with a unique twist of political power play. The game was invented in France in the 1970s and has since gained popularity worldwide. Djambi is played on a 9×9 square board with four different colored sets of pieces, each representing a different faction: the People, the Army, the Church, and the Bank. Each faction has its own unique abilities and roles, making the game a complex and strategic battle of wits.

Djambi, also known as The Game of Power, is a strategy board game that was first developed in France in the 1970s. It was designed by Jean Anesto, a French game designer and was initially manufactured by the company Jeux Rexton.

The name “Djambi” is derived from a Javanese word that means “strategy”. The game is also sometimes referred to as “Machiavelli”, named after the Italian Renaissance political philosopher, Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote extensively about power and strategy.

The game is based on the concept of political intrigue and power struggles. It involves nine different characters, each with unique abilities, who vie for control and power on the game board. The characters include the Anarchist, the Assassin, the General, the Ambassador, the Judge, the Banker, the Priest, the Merchant, and the Heir. Each character’s unique abilities can be used to influence the game in different ways.

Djambi was initially popular in Europe, particularly in France and Germany, and was later introduced to the United States in the late 1980s. It has since gained a cult following among board game enthusiasts around the world.

Despite its age, Djambi remains a popular game due to its complex and strategic gameplay. It is considered to be a game of psychological warfare, where players must anticipate their opponents’ moves and use their characters’ abilities strategically to gain an advantage.

In recent years, the game has been reissued and updated by various companies, keeping it relevant and accessible for modern audiences. Despite these updates, the core gameplay and strategy of Djambi have remained largely unchanged, maintaining the original vision of its creator, Jean Anesto.

2. Rules for playing Djambi

1. Each player chooses a faction and places their pieces on the board according to the initial setup.
2. Players take turns moving one of their pieces. The piece can move to any adjacent square, including diagonally, but cannot jump over other pieces.
3. Each piece has a unique ability. For example, the Assassin can eliminate any piece on the board, while the Banker can bribe other pieces to switch sides.
4. The game ends when one player manages to get their Chief (the most important piece) into the opponent’s headquarters or eliminates all opposing Chiefs.

While these are the official rules, many players enjoy adding their own ‘house rules’ for added complexity and fun. For example, some players might agree to limit the number of times the Assassin can be used, or introduce new pieces with unique abilities.

How each piece in Djambi moves

Each piece in Djambi has its own unique movements, abilities, and restrictions.

1. The Prostitute: The Prostitute can move in any direction along the lines and can also move diagonally. She has the ability to seduce any pieces except for the Child, eliminating them from the game.

2. The Assassin: The Assassin can move one or two steps in any direction. It can kill any piece except for the Child, and its attack can’t be blocked by the Journalist.

3. The Terrorist: The Terrorist can move one step in any direction. It has the ability to explode, killing itself and any pieces in the eight surrounding squares, except for the Child.

4. The Journalist: The Journalist can move in any direction along the lines, but not diagonally. It can also jump over other pieces. It has the ability to “denounce” other pieces, preventing them from moving for one turn.

5. The Child: The Child can move one step in any direction, and it is immune to all attacks. If it reaches the other side of the board, it can turn into any piece of the player’s choosing.

6. The General: The General can move any number of steps in any direction, but it cannot jump over other pieces.

7. The Necromobile: The Necromobile can move one step in any direction, and it can resurrect any dead piece except for the Terrorist.

8. The Politician: The Politician can move one step in any direction. It has the power of corruption, which can force another piece to move in a way that benefits the Politician.

9. The Corporations: The Corporations can move any number of steps diagonally. They have the power to bribe other pieces, forcing them to move in a way that benefits the Corporations.

Remember that the goal of Djambi is to eliminate all of the opponent’s pieces or to force the opponent’s Politician into a position where it can be captured.

3. How to Win at Djambi

Winning at Djambi requires a combination of strategic planning, tactical execution, and a bit of luck. Here are some strategies for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players:

1. Beginners: Focus on understanding the abilities of each piece and how they can be used to your advantage. Try to protect your Chief while using your other pieces to disrupt your opponent’s plans.
2. Intermediate: Start to think several moves ahead. Anticipate your opponent’s moves and plan your strategy accordingly. Use your pieces in combination to create powerful attacks and defenses.
3. Advanced: Master the art of deception. Use your pieces to create traps and misdirections, forcing your opponent into making mistakes. Remember, in Djambi, the best offense is often a good defense.

4. Best Strategies for playing Djambi game

The best strategies in Djambi often involve using your pieces in combination to create powerful attacks and defenses. Here are some strategic plays to aim for:

1. Use your Assassin to eliminate key enemy pieces, especially the Chief.
2. Use your Banker to bribe enemy pieces, turning them to your side.
3. Use your People to form a defensive wall around your Chief, protecting it from attacks.
4. Use your Army to launch aggressive attacks, forcing your opponent on the defensive.

5. Scenarios for Djambi

In Djambi, players often find themselves in various scenarios, both good and bad. Here are some common scenarios and how to turn them to your advantage:

1. Scenario: Your Chief is under attack. Solution: Use your People to form a defensive wall, or use your Assassin to eliminate the threat.
2. Scenario: Your opponent has a strong defense. Solution: Use your Banker to bribe their pieces, or use your Army to launch an aggressive attack.
3. Scenario: You are outnumbered. Solution: Use your Assassin to eliminate key enemy pieces, or use your People to stall for time while you regroup.
4. Scenario: Your opponent is playing defensively. Solution: Use your Army to force them out of their defensive position, or use your Banker to bribe their pieces.

6. Frequently Asked Questions about playing Djambi game

Q: Can a piece move diagonally? A: Yes, a piece can move to any adjacent square, including diagonally.

Q: Can a piece jump over other pieces? A: No, a piece cannot jump over other pieces.

Q: Can the Assassin eliminate any piece? A: Yes, the Assassin can eliminate any piece on the board.

Q: Can the Banker bribe any piece? A: Yes, the Banker can bribe any piece, turning it to your side.

Q: How does the game end? A: The game ends when one player gets their Chief into the opponent’s headquarters or eliminates all opposing Chiefs.

External Links

For more information about Djambi, visit the official game website here.