Game of the Generals vs Stratego: What's the Difference?
If you have played Stratego, Game of the Generals will feel familiar at first: hidden armies, ranked pieces, capture the flag. But one rule changes everything: in Game of the Generals, nothing is ever revealed.
Updated November 15, 2026
At a glance
| Game of the Generals | Stratego | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Philippines, 1970 | Europe, 20th century |
| Board | 9 × 8 | 10 × 10 with two lakes |
| Pieces per side | 21 | 40 |
| Challenges | Arbiter decides; ranks stay hidden | Both pieces are revealed |
| Movement | Every piece moves one square | Some pieces move further; bombs and flag never move |
| Immovable traps | None | Bombs |
| Ways to win | Capture the flag, or move your flag to the far row | Capture the flag, or leave the opponent unable to move |
| Needs a third person | Yes, on a physical board (the arbiter) | No |
The big difference: hidden results
In Stratego, both pieces are shown when they meet, so information builds up quickly and the game becomes more open as it goes on. In Game of the Generals the arbiter compares the pieces privately and only removes the loser. You learn that your Major lost, but not what beat it. Information stays scarce all game, which puts far more weight on memory, deduction and bluffing.
Smaller and faster
With 21 pieces on a 9 × 8 board, Game of the Generals is quicker to set up and usually quicker to play. There are no bombs or scouts with special movement: every piece moves one square, so the game is about positioning and reading your opponent rather than special abilities.
The flag can attack
In Game of the Generals your flag is not just something to protect. If it reaches the far row safely, you win. That gives the defender a counter-attacking threat that Stratego does not have.
The Spy works differently
Both games have a piece that can beat the top rank. In Game of the Generals the Spy beats every officer whether it attacks or defends, and only a Private beats it.
Which should you play?
If you like Stratego and want a tighter, more psychological game, try Game of the Generals. The only obstacle used to be finding an arbiter. Online, the server does that job, so you can play Game of the Generals online or try it against the computer in a couple of minutes.