Da Vinci's Challenge

Da Vinci's Challenge is an abstract strategy board game distributed by Briarpatch in which players build interlocking geometric patterns inspired by the compass and straightedge drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. On each turn a player places or rotates translucent colored tiles on a shared board, scoring points whenever their own color forms a complete enclosed pattern while trying to block opponents from completing patterns of their own. Because the tiles overlap and are see through, later moves can transform the board's existing shapes, so a position that favors one player can shift completely on a rival's turn, giving the game a tactical, ever changing character despite its simple placement rules. First introduced in 2004, the game earned a 2005 Mensa Select Award, a recognition given to games judged notable for their originality, level of challenge and overall design quality. Its geometric, artistic presentation and emphasis on spatial reasoning over luck or long setup time have made it a recurring recommendation among fans of abstract strategy games.