Hive Board Game – Award-Winning Two-Player Strategy Game

The Game That Plays Anywhere

Hive is an award-winning two-player strategy game that completely revolutionizes traditional board gaming. Unlike chess or checkers, Hive board game requires no board at all—the hexagonal pieces themselves create the playing surface as you play. This innovative design makes Hive the ultimate portable strategy game, perfect for travel, camping, coffee shops, or anywhere you have a flat surface.

Number of Players: 2 players
Recommended Age: 9 years and up
Average Game Time: 20 minutes
Awards: Mensa Select Winner, Dr. Toy Best Vacation Product

How to Win

The objective of Hive is elegantly simple yet strategically deep: surround your opponent’s Queen Bee with pieces (of any color) on all six sides while protecting your own Queen from the same fate. The first player to completely surround their opponent’s Queen Bee wins the game. What makes Hive so captivating is that pieces surrounding the Queen Bee can be a mixture of both players’ pieces, creating dynamic tactical situations that keep every game exciting.

Gameplay Overview

Hive strategy game begins with an empty playing area. Players alternate turns either placing a new insect tile from their hand or moving a piece already in play. Each player must place their Queen Bee by their fourth turn, and pieces cannot be moved until after the Queen is placed. The challenge lies in the “One Hive Rule”—the connected group of pieces must never be split into separate groups during movement.

Every insect piece moves differently, creating chess-like strategic depth:

• Queen Bee (1 piece) – Moves one space at a time around the hive
• Beetle (2 pieces) – Moves one space and can climb on top of other pieces, immobilizing them
• Grasshopper (2 pieces) – Jumps in a straight line over pieces to the next empty space
• Spider (2 pieces) – Moves exactly three spaces around the outside of the hive
• Soldier Ant (3 pieces) – The most mobile piece, can move to any position around the hive

This variety of movement creates endless tactical possibilities. Experienced players love using Soldier Ants to control key positions, Beetles to block opponent moves, and Grasshoppers for surprise attacks on the enemy Queen Bee.

What’s in the Box

22 Premium Hexagonal Tiles Total:

• 11 White/Cream pieces
• 11 Black pieces

Each Player Receives:

• 1 Queen Bee tile
• 3 Soldier Ant tiles
• 2 Spider tiles
• 2 Beetle tiles
• 2 Grasshopper tiles

Includes Travel Storage Bag

The Hive game pieces are crafted from durable Bakelite (high-quality plastic) with raised insect designs, giving each tile a satisfying weight and feel. The pieces feature color-coded insects: yellow Queen Bee, blue Soldier Ants, brown Spiders, purple Beetles, and green Grasshoppers. All pieces come with a convenient zippered nylon travel bag, making this the perfect go-anywhere board game.

Why Choose Hive?

Perfect for Chess Players: If you love strategic games like chess but want something fresh and portable, Hive delivers that same tactical depth in a compact, board-free format.

Quick to Learn, Hard to Master: The rules can be explained in under 5 minutes, but the strategic possibilities are virtually endless. Each game presents new challenges.

Travel-Friendly: No board means no setup time and easy portability. Play on a picnic table, airplane tray, or beach blanket.

Durable Construction: Weather-resistant pieces that can handle outdoor play. The tiles are built to last for years of gameplay.

Expandable: Add even more strategic depth with optional expansion pieces including the Ladybug, Mosquito, and Pillbug (sold separately).

Who Will Love This Game?

Hive board game is ideal for strategy game enthusiasts, chess players seeking new challenges, families with older children, travelers who want portable entertainment, and anyone who appreciates elegant game design. It makes an excellent gift for game night hosts, camping enthusiasts, and tactical thinkers of all ages.

Official North American Distributor – Authentic Gen42 Games Product