The most popular board game in Bangladesh is of course - Ludo. Nothing quite matches the feeling of sitting with family members and having a game of Ludo. There is the scope of playing Ludo on your phone these days, which you can play with friends and family but it just doesn't live up to the nostalgia and memories of the physical board.

Chitchats, snacks and capturing your sibling's piece has the right amount of emotional value that you need to get through these tough times. And if you are feeling reckless, there's always Sap-Ludo (Snakes and Ladders).

If you need a game with a little bit of drama to pass your time, play Monopoly. It's a bit challenging for new players but you will catch on soon. Owning a rail station and building a hotel has never been more fun. Of course, there is the pair of dices but this game requires some thoughts and planning, which will occupy your time and get you through the day easily. Don't forget your snacks though, because a game of Monopoly usually goes on for hours.

But if you want something demanding your full attention and a proper challenge, chess is the go-to game. Originating from 'chaturanga,' an ancient Indian board game, chess is a game that truly makes you think. Unfortunately, unlike Ludo and Monopoly, only two players can play at a time. For matched opponents, a chess match can go on for hours and because there are so many possible outcomes in each game, it can be very dramatic.

If you need a trip down memory lane, there are some other games that you might have forgotten about. Even if you don't recall, your parents will remember games like — 'Bagh Bandi' (Trapping the tiger) or 'Sholo Guti' (Sixteen Soldiers). 

These games are played on an Alquerque square with two players. One plays the pieces called the goats and the other plays the tiger. The objective is to eat all the goats or trap the tiger. Each goat is captured only by leaping over them. This means both sides are equally equipped to defeat the other if they act strategically.

Games like Ludo and Chess are so popular that even today you will see people sitting under a tree or at a tea stall and playing these games. Games like 'Bagh Bandi' are hardly seen these days, but they have been part of our culture and we should remember them. After all, these games have provided us with great family moments. Mind the pandemic, if you can help it, stay inside and try out these games. It's the better choice rather than going out and increasing the risk factor. Every little effort counts.

Photo: LS Archive/ Sazzad Ibne Sayed