The Somali board game
Shax
The classic Somali strategy game, on your phone and in your browser. Place your pieces, make a jare and outsmart your opponent.
Free · No ads · No sign-up
What is Shax?
Shax is a traditional two-player strategy game from Somalia and a relative of Nine Men's Morris. It has been played for generations, often on a board drawn on the ground with stones or sticks as pieces.
Each player has 12 pieces. First you place them, then you move them along the lines. Three in a row is a jare, and in the moving phase every jare lets you take one of your opponent's pieces. Whoever is down to two pieces loses.
- 24points on three nested squares
- 12pieces for each player
- 2players, face to face
- 3in a row make a jare
How to play
A game has three phases, plus one special rule that makes Shax different.
-
1Place
Take turns placing your 12 pieces on any empty point. Whoever makes the first jare gets to remove first later.
-
2Remove
When the board is full, each player removes one of the opponent's pieces to make room.
-
3Move
Move a piece along a line to a neighbouring empty point. Every jare lets you take one of your opponent's pieces.
-
4Oodan
"Jid i sii aan jar aheyn": if a player is completely blocked, the opponent must open a space for them. A jare made with that move doesn't count.
The full rules are in the game under How to play.
Play anywhere
On your phone, on your tablet or right here in the browser. The same game on the same wooden board.
Made for a good game
Play the computer
Easy, medium or hard. The hard computer thinks several moves ahead.
Two players, one device
Sit down with a friend and pass the phone or tablet back and forth.
English, German and Somali
Switch the language at any time, right from the game.
Works offline
The apps need no internet connection, so you can play anywhere.
Learn as you play
Move hints show where a piece can go, and the rules are one tap away.
Free and private
No ads, no account and no tracking. Just the game.
Questions
Is Shax free?
Yes. The game is free, with no ads and no in-app purchases.
Do I need an internet connection?
The apps work fully offline. The web version needs a connection to load, then you can play right away.
Which languages does Shax speak?
English, German and Somali. You can switch the language in the game at any time.
Can I play online against other people?
Not yet. We'd love to add online play, so if you want it, tell us.
When are the apps coming?
Shax for iPhone, iPad and Android is on its way. Until then, you can play right here in your browser.
I found a bug or have an idea.
Great, we'd like to hear it. Write to us at [email protected].
Ready for a game?
No download, no sign-up. Open the board and play.
Play in your browser