- BGG rank
- BGG #27,310
- BGG rating
- 5.3
Siege
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 1966
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,460
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Kendo
1976
Rules assistance for Kendo
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Kendo
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Kendo is a board game released in 1976 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Keith Budden and its main mechanics are Point to Point Movement.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,895
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Tablut
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 1700
- BGG rank
- BGG #16,969
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Citadel
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2002
- BGG rank
- BGG #22,416
- BGG rating
- 8.1
Knights of the Pond Table
- 2–4 players
- 20–40 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2026
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,227
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Tako Judo
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2007
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,444
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Homeworlds
- 2–6 players
- 15–60 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2001
- BGG rank
- BGG #28,056
- BGG rating
- 5.2
Doom and Bloom SURVIVAL!
- 2–4 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #28,978
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Ashes to Ashes
- 2–5 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,501
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Stronghold
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2009
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,912
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Stronghold: 2nd edition
- 2 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,256
- BGG rating
- 8.3
Unmatched: The Witcher – Steel and Silver
- 2–3 players
- 20–40 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,675
- BGG rating
- 8.4
Unmatched: The Witcher – Realms Fall
- 2–3 players
- 20–40 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2025
About the game
The game first was published in 1974 as Queen Bee by Condor, before it was re-themed and published by 'Ravensburger' as Kaiser, König, Edelmann in 1976 and re-themed again in 1989 as Kendo. _________________________________________ Kendo, The Samurai's Favourite Game, lets 4 Samurai fight across a hex grid to get their Prince safely into the palace at the centre. Your 8 figures are numbered 1 (Prince), 2 (Samurai) or 3 (Fighter) and may only move their number of spaces. Finishing a move on an opponent's piece is a strike and it is removed from the board. Strike a prince and the player is out of the round, though their pieces remain on the board. Get your Prince to the centre and score 5 bonus points, whilst all remaining pieces score their value. Play a few rounds and most points win. Interesting abstract game, was very popular in Germany and often reprinted. Description for Kaiser, König, Edelmann (Emperor, King, Nobleman): Each player tries to be the first to reach the castle with his prince. At the beginning of play the figures are arranged according to a certain starting order. The player, whose turn it is, moves one of his figures as many fields as it is allowed (3,2,1). If the figure moves onto a field with an opposing figure, this one is struck and taken out of the play. If it takes an opposing emperor out of the play in this way, that player is immobilized completely; his figures however remain in the game as handicaps. One may not jump over figures. Likewise it is not allowed to move through the palace or go back to the spot you came from. Additionally the player is obliged to move every turn. The emperor can move only to one crossing, the kings to two crossings and the noble men up to three crossings. The player whose emperor first arrives at the castle wins.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Otto Maier Verlag
- Το Καλό Παιχνίδι Α.Ε.
Questions and answers
Kendo supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Kendo is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Kendo for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Kendo has a complexity rating of 2.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Kendo belongs to these categories: Fighting, Abstract Strategy, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Point to Point Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Kendo are: Keith Budden. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Kendo as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.