Counteroffensive Victory Chess: A 1960s Taiwanese Board Game About Retaking China

In 1960s Taiwan, at a time when Cold War politics were shaping every corner of daily life, someone came up with a bold idea: turn the dream of taking back the Chinese mainland into a board game.

That idea became 反攻勝利棋—Counteroffensive Victory Chess—a tabletop game where players started in Taiwan and rolled dice to move across a detailed map of mainland China. The goal? Reach Nanjing first and “liberate” the capital.

The gameplay was fairly simple, but the messaging wasn’t. You moved forward one space at a time based on dice rolls, tracing a specific path that wound through over 40 cities and regions—from Kinmen and Fuzhou, to Chengdu, Xi’an, and eventually Nanjing. The entire layout mirrored a vision of political and military strategy rather than pure entertainment.

What really catches the eye, though, is the way the map represents the world. Bangladesh, for instance, is still labeled as “Pakistan,” since this was before it became independent in 1971. Kashmir is shown as a completely separate country, neither Indian nor Pakistani. And both Korea and Vietnam are each shown as unified nations. Korea is labeled “Hanguk” (韓國), which is how South Korea refers to itself, rather than “Choson” (朝鮮), the North Korean name. That alone hints at the worldview behind the game—one where communism had already lost in Asia.

Even Mongolia makes an appearance, with a stop in Kulun (modern-day Ulaanbaatar). The route is long and complex, crossing not only central Chinese provinces but also remote places like Lhasa, Urumqi, and Hohhot. It’s clear this wasn’t just a fun activity—it was also a way to reinforce political hopes and territorial claims.

Games can sometimes reflect more than just imagination—they can show what a society hopes for, fears, or wants to preserve. And this one, while seemingly simple, gives a window into a very specific moment in Taiwanese history.

And if you enjoy collecting historical or politically-themed board games, I’ve listed a few modern-day equivalents you can still find online. (Note: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. The links below lead to Amazon.)

• CHRONOLOGY – The Game Where You Make History
• Renegade Game Studios Axis & Allies
• Civilization Board Game
• GMT Games Twilight Struggle Deluxe Edition