Board games for two players

I came across a new (to me) board game recently called "ticket to ride" , based on train journeys. My daughter had come across it. There are different versions - this was the Europe one. Not cheap - around £30, I think, but fairly simple and more strategy than luck.

We enjoy Rummikub both as a couple or with friends
Have introduced family and friends to it over the last few years and they enjoyed it so much they all bought their own games.
An 11 year old is perfectly capable of playing it.

Labyrinth is a good game that has been around a long time, but still available. Good for 2 players. Another based more on strategy than luck.

Backgammon. My young played it from about the age of 7 and their young similarly. It can be as gentle or vicious as you like!

We like Ingenious; can be played with two, three or four players. GS hated Scrabble but would always play Bananagrams. There is also a little game called Minotaurus that we both enjoyed playing.

Could you play chess or checkers? Those work for two people. Maybe you could see if you could find Scotland Yard - this is an older game but a very interesting one; one player is "Mr. X" and the other players are police officers trying to capture him and deducing his movements across London based on the transit tickets he is using. Risk is another one that can be played with two, and it can take a long time to play.

Thank you all, lots of good ideas to keep dgd occupied and me sat down.

I'm not sure where in the country you are but in some places there are games cafes- where you can go and play all sorts of different board games. The one I go to with my grandkids is called Chance and Counters or maybe Chance Encounters?
The drinks and the food isn't cheap but the games are free and will keep you busy for ages.
I suggest you look up games cafes in your area and give it a try if you find one. Booking is recommended in school holidays. Staff are good at finding games to suit your needs too.

I’ve never heard of games cafes Keepingquiet, thanks for that, I shall Google.

Connect four

Card games - Cribbage, I learnt how to play it when I was 11/12. Gin Rummy, can’t remember when I was taught this but definitely earlier than Cribbage.
As someone has already suggested - Backgammon - I only learnt to play as an adult but know that children can pick it up very quickly.

Cribbage, draughts, chess.

To be honest I’m trying to avoid card games, I really don’t enjoy them as I have great difficulty remembering what cards have been played. Being made to play whist at a young age was ahorrendous experience.

Great post !
I choose backgammon, mancala and jenga.

Qwirkle is popular with all ages in our family.

I’ve never heard of Mancala or Quirkle and dgd would love Jenga, partly because she would always beat me! Now the next step is to clear some cupboard space so I’ve somewhere to keep the games.

You coukd have a look in charity shops. There are often an astonishing amount to choose from. Have fun with your gd. The grow up so fast. .

Another vote for Labyrinth. Colour Brain, Dobble and Guess in 10 are all good games for that age group with Grannies who need to sit down to play. My youngest, coming up to 11, loves Snakes and Ladders and as a Harry Potter fan loves the board games that feature anything to do with Hogwarts.

I confess to being addicted to Stone Age.

It works really well for two.

Mention of Snakes and Ladders reminded me that our GS used to really enjoy Ludo. It could get a bit cutthroat but was huge fun. Also a favourite: Build a Beetle. The old ones never go out of fashion.

And Chinese Chequers!

Try 'Magnetic Chess' - it has nothing to do with chess, but is just addictive and lots of fun for all ages.

I used to love playing Chinese Checkers with my grandad when I was little. Happy memories.

Othello