Khet: The Laser Game

A two-player chess-like duel where you bounce a real laser off mirrored Egyptian pieces to hit the enemy pharaoh.

Designers: Michael Larson, Luke Hooper, Del Segura
Published by: IELLO
Editions by: Productief BV, Innovention Toys

Chess with lasers. Khet, also known as Deflexion, gives two players a board with a low-power laser built into each side, and playing pieces with mirrors fixed inside them. You move a piece, then press the button on your laser, and the beam bounces from mirror to mirror around the board, destroying anything it hits with an unprotected side. The goal is to hit the other player's pharaoh while protecting your own. Obelisks soak up hits, pyramids deflect them, and the pharaoh is the weak point. The Egyptian theme is just right for it. Each game takes about twenty minutes, and it feels like a chess puzzle with a very visible threat. Two players only.

Real built-in lasersMirror pieces that bounce the beamProtect your pharaoh, hit theirs

Who it's for

You and one other person like chess-style duels and want something with a physical, visual twist that is quicker than chess.

Not for you if…

You want more than two players, or you dislike batteries and electronic parts in your board games.

Vibe's take

Tense, geometric and surprisingly dramatic. Every move can open or close a laser path, and the beam firing at the end of your turn makes each mistake very visible.