Starting the Game
The game is conducted on an eight-by-eight grid containing sixty-four distinct spaces. To ensure proper orientation, the board is positioned so that each player observes a light-colored square in their respective bottom-right corner. This foundational setup dictates the diagonal paths that all pieces will follow throughout the match.
Player 1 initiates the setup with twelve blue pieces positioned on specific coordinates, primarily occupying rows F, G, and H on the dark squares. Conversely, Player 2 arranges twelve gray pieces across rows A, B, and C. It is a standard rule that Player 1 always executes the opening move, after which players proceed by alternating turns.
Every piece is confined to the same color squares for the entire duration of the game because all movement and captures occur diagonally. Furthermore, a strict single occupancy rule applies, meaning no two pieces can occupy the same coordinate, and a move is only valid if the destination square is vacant.
Standard Starting Configuration
Movement and Blocking
Standard movement requires a player to advance their piece one diagonal space forward into an available empty slot. Strategic positioning is essential, as pieces can become obstructed by both friendly and opposing forces. A piece is considered blocked if it lacks any valid moves or hits, which can lead to a lockout situation.
Path obstruction occurs when an adjacent diagonal space is occupied by a friendly piece or when an opponent's piece cannot be jumped because the space behind it is occupied or outside the board's boundaries. Understanding these limitations is key to maintaining board control and preventing your pieces from being neutralized.
The Hit Mechanic
Capturing, or performing a "hit," involves jumping over an opponent's piece and landing on the empty diagonal space directly behind it. The jumped piece is immediately removed from the board. Unlike some variations of the game, there is no forced move rule; players are free to choose between a standard move or a capture based on their strategic preference.
Hits can be stacked if a piece lands and immediately finds another valid forward hit available. In such cases, the player may continue jumping in a single turn. It is important to note that regular pieces are restricted to forward captures, whereas promoted pieces gain significantly more flexibility in their attack patterns.
Promotion and King Abilities
A piece earns promotion to King status the moment it reaches the opponent's back row—the A Row for Player 1 or the H Row for Player 2. This transformation is immediate, even if it occurs in the middle of a sequence of stacked hits, allowing the new King to continue its turn with enhanced movement.
The visual hallmark of this promotion is the immediate appearance of a vibrant yellow King icon positioned in the center of the piece. This design choice serves a critical functional purpose: it provides players with instant situational awareness, clearly distinguishing the agile, multi-directional units from standard forward-moving pieces. The icon acts as a constant reminder of the piece's "Agile Hit" and multi-directional travel capabilities.
While regular pieces are restricted to forward movement, Kings can move one diagonal space in any direction—forward or backward. This agility extends to capturing; Kings can perform hits in any diagonal direction, allowing them to change paths during a sequence of jumps to clear the board more efficiently.
"The yellow King icon serves as a clear indicator of the piece's new multi-directional abilities."
Winning the Game
Total Capture
The most common path to victory is through Total Capture, where a player successfully hits and removes every single piece belonging to the opponent from the board.
The Lockout
Alternatively, victory can be achieved by creating a Lockout situation. This occurs when the opponent is completely blocked and cannot make a single legal move or hit on their turn.
Draw Conditions
A match may end in a draw if both players mutually agree that a win is unattainable, if the exact same board position occurs three times, or if a stalemate is reached where no progress is made for a set number of turns.