best games for 2 people

Note: All endorsements are unpaid and heartfelt.

My wife and I spend lots of time together in a tiny cabin far from other people. The winters here are long and dark. We play a lot of games together. Over many, many years, we have tried many, many games. Here are our favorites:

• Chess
  The old standby. I have an official USCF chess set which is well-made, rugged and conforms to US Chess Federation rules for tournament play (Staunton, 3"-4" King). It's also cheap at around $15. I store mine in a cardboard mailing tube—a nice package that still looks new after 20 years.
• 2-handed Hi/Lo Whist
  The best 2-player card game. Uses a standard deck. With 16 cards hidden from both players, anything can happen. Try an initial "low" bid even when you want "high" so you're not the declarer and get first play. But be aware this strategy can backfire spectacularly.
• Quarto
  Get 4 in a row on a 4x4 board using 4² pieces with 4 characteristics each. Play a gorgeous game with tactile appeal while a sculpture is formed on the board. With the advanced rule (a win can also be 4-in-a-square), you can easily build yourself into a corner.
• Pente
  Get 5 in a row, or capture 5 pairs. My wife loves this game because she is very good at it. We also use the pretty glass pieces as stones for miniature curling.
• Six
  Get 6 in a row, ring, or triangle. A beautiful, minute-to-learn-lifetime-to-master type game. Fast but deep. The pieces are lovely to handle, and every game creates a work of art on the table. Two versions of the rules keep things interesting.
• Pylos
  After my illustration deal fell through, my consolation prize was a gift certificate used to purchase Pylos. My wife and I have now played this a bunch; it has quickly worked into the rotation. Turns out this ingenious and lovely game was well worth the 3 months of illustration work.