GHQ (Minor Damage)

World War 2 veteran Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel, Player Piano, was published in 1954. While it was critically well received and reprinted in 1955, it was not a financial success. As he worked on his next novel (which would eventually become Cat’s Cradle), he needed to supplement his income with other endeavors.

One of those efforts was an original board game called GHQ (General Headquarters). He designed it throughout 1956 and attempted to sell it to game companies, an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful. His notes on the game were filed away and Vonnegut’s GHQ was lost to us.

Until now.

GHQ is a fast and strategic two-player battle game. Played on a standard 8×8 checkerboard, players command infantry, armored vehicles, artillery, and the powerful airborne regiment, maneuvering to capture the opposing headquarters. Can you skillfully use real-world combined arms tactics and call on reinforcements at the right time to turn the tide of battle?

This first edition of GHQ features deluxe wooden pieces and a 24-page commentary booklet showing Kurt Vonnegut’s design notes to give insight into his creative process.