Mahjong vs. Chess

Mahjong and Chess are among many indoor games that will strengthen your mind as you remain cooped up this winter season. Both require immense concentration and a strategic sense to overcome your competitor. I have added the basic guidelines for playing if you are interested in learning either of the two.

Myths regarding the origins of Mahjong exist and date back to 500 BC, though it is questionable at best. Introduction to America though is known to be during the 1920's. Like poker and other card games, Mahjong's aim is to acquire the best possible hand according to the number and suit, and discard the least valuable tiles. It does, however, consist of six different tile types; 3 suits, 2 honor, and 1 bonus. The player who creates a set will be the first to "Mahjong." A set includes four corresponding tiles of similar suit or sequence. There are many additional rules and styles to playing the game. I have included a link below. The concept, though, includes four players as they battle to expose the best hand and gain key points. The strategy: Do not allow other players to interpret your next move or the pieces you have. Save better tiles and play them when you get the chance.

Chess is fairly more familiar among Americans, as it emerged in Europe around the 15th century. It is played on a square board with 64 squares comprising the battlefield. Each player begins with the same 16 pieces in the same squares opposite one another. The goal: Eliminate valuable pieces of the opposing player and attempt to "checkmate" their King piece. Each piece can move differently, making some more important than others. The King, on the other hand, can not eliminate opposing forces and simply needs to stay protected from being targeted; otherwise known as "check." Chess too, relies on heavy concentration and focus. The use of strategy combined with risk analysis creates for very intellectual game play. Still have questions regarding the pieces, see link below.

I, personally, prefer Chess over Mahjong. Though each make for a very interesting play, Chess relies less on luck and more on personal intellect and skill. While Mahjong tiles are dealt at random, one player may have an advantage over the next due to the hand dealt. In Chess, each player begins with the exact pieces of their opposition. To win, you must simply outsmart and outmaneuver your competitor. If you have nothing else to do this winter and prefer a challenge, give these games a try.

So you wanna.com (2008). Learn to play mahjong. Retrieved Oct 30, 2009 from http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/mahjong/mahjong.html

So you wanna.com (2008). Learn to play chess. Retrieved Oct 30, 2009 from http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/chess/chess.html