Game of the Generals
A Filipino war game of hidden ranks and strategic deception.
Game of the Generals—also known as GG, GOG, or simply The Generals—is a two-player educational war game invented in the Philippines by Sofronio H. Pasola Jr. in 1970. Its Filipino name is "Salpakan." A typical match lasts between twenty and thirty minutes. Each player commands an army, and a neutral Arbiter (sometimes called a Referee or Adjutant) decides the outcomes of "challenges" between pieces whose identities are hidden from the opponent.
The game simulates armies trying to overpower, mislead, outflank, outmaneuver, and destroy each other. It relies on logic, memory, and spatial reasoning. Because the identities of opposing pieces are concealed, players must guess based on movement, position, or challenge results—this mimics the "fog of war." Only one side’s plan can ultimately succeed, though players may change their strategy mid-game. There are two ways to win. As the game progresses, certain tactics can give both players a clearer picture of the other’s intentions. Players may also speak or gesture to mislead their opponent about piece identities or overall strategy.
The game shares many features with earlier games L'Attaque and Stratego.
**History** Sofronio H. Pasola Jr. created the game with inspiration from his son Ronnie Pasola. They first tried it on a chessboard, with no fixed arrangement of pieces. The original version had no spies; Ronnie added them after recalling James Bond movies and Mata Hari. The Pasolas also decided to keep pieces hidden, remembering card games. Game of the Generals was publicly released on 28 February 1973. Its release angered some Filipino chess players, who felt Pasola was denigrating chess.
**Objectives and victory conditions** The goal is to eliminate or capture the opponent’s Flag, or to move one’s own Flag to the far edge of the board, under these conditions: - If challenged, the Flag is eliminated by any opposing piece, including the opposing Flag. If a player’s Flag is eliminated in a challenge, that player loses. A Flag that challenges an opponent’s Flag wins the challenge and the game. - When a Flag reaches the opponent’s back rank, it must survive one more turn without being challenged to declare victory. If no adjacent opposing piece can challenge it, the Flag wins immediately. If it lands adjacent to an opposing piece, and that piece does not challenge it on the opponent’s next turn, the Flag
- inventor
- Sofronio H. Pasola Jr.
- year_invented
- 1970
- country_of_origin
- Philippines
- players
- 2 players plus a neutral Arbiter
- play_time
- 20 to 30 minutes
- board_size
- 72 squares (8 ranks x 9 files)
- pieces_per_player
- 21
Lore & Background
Sofronio H. Pasola Jr. invented the Game of the Generals with inspiration from his son Ronnie Pasola. They first tried the game on a chessboard with no particular arrangement of pieces and no spies. After Ronnie remembered James Bond movies and Mata Hari, he added the Spies. The decision to hide pieces came from recalling card games. The game was released publicly on 28 February 1973, which angered some Filipino chess players who thought Pasola was denigrating chess.
Reader's Guide
Game of the Generals is significant as a Filipino invention that introduced a unique 'fog of war' mechanic through hidden piece identities, requiring players to rely on logic, memory, and spatial reasoning. Its design allows for deception through speech or gesture, and it offers two victory conditions: capturing the opponent's Flag or moving one's Flag to the far edge of the board. The game's use of a neutral Arbiter to resolve challenges without revealing eliminated pieces adds to its strategic depth. Despite initial controversy among chess players, it has endured as an educational war game, with its rules and equipment evolving from early experiments on a chessboard to standardized plastic or metal sets. Its legacy lies in its simulation of military strategy and its emphasis on psychological tactics, making it a notable contribution to board game history.
Did You Know?
- The game's Filipino name is 'Salpakan.'
- Spies were added after Ronnie Pasola remembered James Bond movies and Mata Hari.
- The game was first tried on a chessboard with no particular arrangement of pieces.
- If two pieces of equal rank challenge each other, both are eliminated, called a 'split.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Game of the Generals?
Game of the Generals (nicknamed GG, GOG, or by its Filipino title "Salpakan") is a two-player Filipino board wargame built around hidden piece identities and strategic deception. Players command opposing armies on a 72-square grid, relying on logic, memory, and spatial reasoning to outflank and destroy the enemy force.
Who invented Game of the Generals and when?
The game was created in 1970 by Sofronio H. Pasola Jr. in the Philippines, where it became a well-known staple of local tabletop gaming culture.
How many people do you need to play Game of the Generals?
You need two opposing players plus a neutral third party called the Arbiter (also referred to as the Referee or Adjutant). The Arbiter resolves each "challenge" between pieces whose ranks are concealed from the opponent.
How long does a typical Game of the Generals match take?
A standard game runs roughly twenty to thirty minutes from opening move to final capture. That short duration makes it a popular pick for quick strategic sessions between friends.
What makes Game of the Generals different from chess or checkers?
Every piece's rank is hidden from the opposing player, so you must deduce identities through memory and the outcomes of challenges rather than reading the board at a glance. A neutral Arbiter mediates each engagement instead of the rules resolving automatically, adding a layer of social interaction absent in solo-opponent classics.
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