Ganzenbord

Ganzenbord ("Goose board") is the Dutch name for the Royal Game of the Goose. It is a race game: the winner is the player who is the first to get his or her 'goose' from start to finish. Moving is based on dice throws as well as several special squares, some of which offer a bonus, whereas others are hazards, delaying progress. As each player has a single piece to move, the game is one of pure chance.

The Royal Game of the Goose appears to have originated in Italy in the late 15th century. The rules seem to have changed very little in half a millennium, and it may well be one of the earliest commercially produced board games.

Plenty of copies available for not very much on eBay and similar platforms. Being Dutch, I got myself a vintage copy of Ganzenbord some time ago, bringing back some childhood memories ...

The board shows the traditional spiral-shaped path to square 63, all squares are illustrated, and the 'bonus' and 'hazard' squares are duly identified.

The game came with six wooden 'geese' and a large die.