Feb 03, 2010 - 04:30 AM

By Melissa Mancini

OSHAWA -- Sometimes mathematics gets a bad rap.

Kids whine that it is too hard or boring. Parents get frustrated helping with homework. But a local man has invented a board game he said gets kids excited about the often-dreaded school subject.

The board game, created by Greg Soave, is called TACTICO! The game isn't new; Mr. Soave invented it as a boy while he sat in his father's '57 Chevy waiting for his dad, who was doing television and radio repairs.

Young Mr. Soave used matches his father kept in the glove box to create mathematical patterns. He challenged friends and family at his games but was undefeated.

The former distraction became a board game. The matches were replaced by game chips and there is even a digital version now, so players can try to outsmart the computer.

"How can a game that is so simple be so frustrating?" asks the first line of the instructions for the board game.

TACTICO! looks easy but it's really a game of abstract thinking, Mr. Soave said.

His business associate, Mackenzie Moreau, adds, "The game is visually simple but extremely complicated once you get into playing."

The game revolves around subtraction. Two players take turns removing game pieces (up to four per turn) from the board until one round game chip is left. Whoever gets stuck with the last piece has to turn it over and reveal a number between one and 10. That numeral is the amount of points the loser of the round is stuck with. The first player to collect 30 points has to accept defeat at the hands of their opponent.

It's a game of strategy where each player has to pay attention to his opponent's moves and quickly calculate how many chips remain.

The game is currently in 71 schools and has been purchased by Corrections Canada, Mr. Soave said.

"I hope to bring the game worldwide," he said.

Since the game forces players to stretch their thinking, Mr. Soave said he thinks it would be an excellent teaching tool in more schools and great for seniors to play to stay sharp.

About the business:

Website: www.mytactico.com