YORKTON - If you are a chess fan you are likely aware that there are dozens, maybe hundreds of variants which have been created through the years.
One of those is Paco Sako, a chess variant by designer Felix Albers. The game was reviewed here back around the year it was released (2017), and it did not resonate with myself, or the Meeple member I test drove the game with.
For background, “Paco Ŝako is played on the same board and with the same chess pieces as traditional/classic chess, though the Paco Ŝako chess pieces have a different functionality. Black and white pieces can be merged into a union and can stay together on one square. Because there are no pieces taken, all pieces stay on the board during the game. Once unions are created, both players can still move them; you can take over a union and release your piece out of a union by replacing it with another piece and eventually there is the chain reaction, which really brings out the Paco Ŝako gameplay. Taking over unions and releasing pieces mean you may move several pieces in one turn,” detailed Board Game Geek.
The feel is quite unique in the sense no pieces are taken, and instead of a ‘battlefield’ experience which is chess, this one is more like pieces on a huge dance floor switching partners in a waltz seeking the king.
Of course whether a single reviewer likes a game matters little. It is simply information for readers to digest regarding various games.
Paco Sako is doing fine these days, with an online world championship recently held.
To start a huge tip of the hat to organizers. One thing that often seems missing with games today is the effort to organize ‘world’ clubs and events to build the game community, so this championship is most certainly a positive.
The winner of the event was Raimond Fluijt, who was kind enough to consent to an interview on Paco Sako via email.
Fluijt, 44, lives with his wife and three children in Houten in the center of the Netherlands, where he works as configuration manager at a company which produces heavy vehicles.
Board games are a long held recreational passion for Fluijt.
“I’m playing board games since I was little, four years old or so,” he said adding, he has never stopped playing games. “When I started going to the secondary school I was more involved in video games, but never stopped with board games.
“Now it’s almost like an addiction. I play several board games in a week physically and daily I am playing board games online or on apps. Video games are way less these days.”
So it was natural to ask which games he plays?
“What board game I don’t play?” said Fluijt. “That will be a lot but we do play a lot of games. We have a board game group of six persons. We play every Wednesday our board games. Next to that we often meet on Fridays with the same or other persons to play board games. On occasion we play on Saturday or Sunday and we start in the afternoons and go on into the evening. My wife is always joining and in the times in between we play together board games too. So it’s a lot I think.”
Not surprisingly given the recent championship Fluijt also plays chess among the many games.
“I play chess also since I was four years old and never stopped since,” he said. “I never played at a club only casual games. I started at the primary school to get certificates from a club and did some tournaments on school team.
“I also played a lot of chess matches with my uncle.
“In secondary school I played several matches against other students.
After the secondary school online games were starting. Next to playing against my uncle I played online some chess games but not for a rating.”
And then Fluijt discovered Paco Sako.
“Through my passion for board games, I attend yearly board game fairs,” he said. “Several times I saw Paco Šako.
“Chess variants always interested me, I bought one once but never played it. So I was hesitant to buy another chess variant because I was expecting not to play it with others.
“In 2019, I was at a local fair in Gouda, in the Netherlands. Felix (the designer) his companion was explaining the rules and asked me to try. It was nice to play the game.”
Shortly after at the largest board game fair in The Netherlands was held, and a Dutch championship of Paco Šako planned, and Fluijt was told he should attend.
“I was planning to go there so I thought why not,” he said. “I played my second match at that fair and tournament. I finished somewhere in the middle of 16 competitors I believe.
“Our youngest daughter was with us at the fair and she liked it too, so I bought a coloured set.”
But, is Paco Sako better than chess? Or, just different?
“Technically, it is just a chess variant and it is to everyone’s liking if you find it better or not,” offered Fluijt. “To my opinion it is better than chess.
“Why, because all the pieces remain on the board. Due to the creation of chains you get an extra level of options and more variations to consider. In Paco Šako you are able to turn the game around in one move.”
For Fluijt it is now the game of choice.
“Right now I’m only playing chess with my uncle via an app daily or physically when I am at his place. I am not playing against others chess,” he said.
“Almost daily I am playing Paco Šako online. Not that much physical, but I have every colour and several Paco Šako boards.”
Fluijt said he has developed a particular approach to game play.
“I try to play as many games upfront in the tournament as I can,” he said.
“Next to that I try to review the last games which I lost or where tough moment occurred.”
Fluijt’s in game play in now familiar in the Paco Sako world.
“I am using the same opening which is named after me, ‘the Rai’ or ‘the Ray’,” he said. “In the first few moves the ‘H’ pawn is moved two forward followed by the rook. This you will not see often in regular chess but in Paco Šako, it proved its value many times.
“Further more the two knights are very strong. They are providing many combo’s, loops and chains.
“Two knights near the opposing king are very dangerous.”
So headed into the worlds Fluijt was feeling good about his chances.
“I know I will do well in the tournament, there was no reason to not do well,” he said. “I was fit, I had played many games, although I lost many lately. I felt confident to start tournament and do well.”
But, was the competition tougher than anticipated?
“The competition was kind of what I was expecting,” offered Fluijt. “The outcome of the tournament is a little different then expected.
“Last year I did not win the World championship. The World champion did attend this tournament and he is hard to beat.
“Competitors from last year were improving their skills a lot. At the last Dutch championship there were new contesters who are very good, one made it to the finals.
“Up front I did not expect to win this tournament, that counts also for the Dutch Championship though.”
In the end though Fluijt succeeded.
“When the first match of the final started my heart was beating up to my throat,” said Fluijt. “That particular game I was set immediately under pressure. It was an opening which I practiced a lot, ‘the Swedish Knights’, but it went with a little twist and I made the wrong move. On a moment I placed my knight on d7 which was a mistake. I should have played my other knight or my queen. The game pretty much felt like a torture, but I was always hoping there is a way out.
“Like I mentioned in one move the game can turn. Nevertheless, I lost the match 1-0.
“The second match started and my heartbeat was directly high in my throat. The pressure in play was on both sides. I think due to my experience and having the confidence to recognize patterns I don’t get stressed in these positions. I managed to create and see the nice chain to finish it, 1-1, phew.
“The third game went a bit similar as in the feeling of putting pressure on the opponent. Therefore, my heartbeat dropped a little, but the tension was still in the game. Again with a nice chain I could make the Paco and it is 1-2.
“Luckily the development of the fourth game went better for me, less pressure towards my side. I think my opponent made a mistake and I won the match, 1-3.
“It felt like a relieve but unbelievable. It is what I really wanted, because it was my first official World championship. It felt like the effort I put into it paid off. That felt nice. I am happy.”
And he will defend this year.
“I certainly will play Paco Šako in 2023. I have two titles to defend,” said Fluijt.
