Board games recommendations for 2 players

[EdinaMonsoon]

I need ideas on good board games for 2 players. My Sis & DBIL are by themselves this Christmas (they live overseas).

Any recommendations?

No ideas but interested in any suggestions you get!

7 wonders duel. We got it a few months ago and we really enjoy it! Simple to learn, but engaging and so far it's different every time we've played.

Othello.

Othello
Jambo
Rummikub
Operation

Can I jump on the thread and ask if any of those are suitable for a soon to be 10 year old? We already have Operation!

Othello would be suitable for a 10 year old for sure.

Yes to Othello.
Mastermind, if you can still buy it.
Ticket to Ride

Stratego or backgammon (the games of kings).

Jaipur - I got this for DH last Christmas and we love it. I'm not sure that it would appeal to a 10 year old, though.

Mr Jack - best 2 player I've found.

Agricola all creatures big and small
Lost cities
Battle line
SAN Juan (can also be played with 3 or 4 players but great as a 2)

The top two are by far the best (and also small enough to travel well)

Kingdomino - excellent excellent domino type game (but much more to it than dominoes). Very addictive and good for 2 players.

Jaipur card game as per pp above (which is also loved by my 5 and 8 year old)

Patchwork - really addictive game with a small box where you compete for Tetris type pieces and have to fit them together on a grid.

Akrotiri - really attractive game where you place map tiles and (a) try to make patterns in accordance with certain objectives and (b) create shipping lanes for your little boat to move around and trade.

carcassone :)

Hive - a bit like chess but you don't play on a board so can play anywhere.

Monopoly Deal!

Mancala

Oh Thank you to everyone who replied! Some great ideas here. Definitely going to buy Jaipur for them (and for DH!)

Thanks again!

Agricola (DS2 8 plays this too) All Creatures Big and Small, though 2 people can play the big version very satisfactorily
Backgammon (both DSs play)
Bezique
Cribbage
Caverna (v heavy if sending abroad though)
Settlers of Catan the card game (DS2 loves this too, and Jaipur)
Isle of Skye (2-5 players, unusually).

Check out www.boardgamegeek.com for reviews.

Another shout for Hive, its mine and DP's favourite.

7 Wonders Duel is on my wish list! Love the full game.

Strong recommendations for

Jaipur - beautiful aesthetics, easy to grasp, fun and addictive (a bit fiddly to set up though). My DC have enjoyed this since they were 8 or so.
Battle Line - this is our favourite. Simple rules and almost unbearable tension.
Port Royal plays very well 2-5, our DC (9 and 12) love this as well.

We used to play Monopoly Deal as both 2-, 3- and 4-player. Brilliant little simple and addictive card game that we must have played hundreds of times.

As for Lost Cities - I love this but DH and the DC find it too dry.

We had Agricola All Creatures Big and Small but sold it. Deeper and more static/strategic than the others recommended above which are more simple and more dynamic/tactical.

We have Patchwork but didn't like the tetris/spatial aspect. Lots of people love it though, so worth considering whether the spatial aspect would appeal or not.

I also love Carcassonne as a tactical 2-player game, but can't get anyone else in the family to play.

This year I have bought Hanamikoji for DH, it is supposedly a brilliant two player game. Possibly a bit deeper than Jaipur, Battle Line and Lost Cities.