Mensa Mind Games Winners for 2006

Every year, members of American Mensa chooses five games to honor with the title of "Mensa Select." This year's choices, selected after a 40-hour game-playing marathon (Mensa Mind Games) which took place in late April in Portland, Oregon, are:

• Deflexion, published by Deflexion
• Hive, published by Smart Zone Games
• Keesdrow, published by Pywacket
• Pentago, published by Mindtwister USA
• Wits & Wagers, published by North Star Games (read my review of Wits & Wagers)

I've played four of the games (not Keesdrow). Deflexion uses lasers and mirrors in a fascinating way, making it a great abstract game. Hive and Pentago are also excellent abstracts, while Wits & Wagers ranks as my favorite trivia game.

The next Mensa Select competition is scheduled for April 20 to 22, 2007, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.