If Chinese checkers has failed to win your child’s heart, perhaps you need some intervention of the pirate variety. This game has the strategic plotting and thinking-ahead of several gaming stalwarts, but with a swashbuckling narrative. Double cross your opponent, jump his maties, or plunder his gold. But beware that your men can only move the exact number of spaces of your lucky (or unlucky) roll. Easy rules make this a nice introduction to strategy games, and a fantastic way to sharpen the noggin. Thinkers ahoy! (Out of the Box Publishing, Inc., $17.28)