Game One Rules
A simpler, faster version that teaches the core mechanics. Games typically last 30 minutes.
Objective: Create a continuous line of your stones from the center to the outer circle.
1. Setup: The King/Navel Stone (larger piece) is placed at the center. It starts "dead" but becomes active when pieces start moving.
2. Placement: Players alternate placing one stone at a time. White (or previous game's loser) goes first. Each player has 27 stones.
3. Capturing: Trap an enemy piece between two of yours (following board lines). Captured pieces are removed.
4. Extra Turns: Capturing grants another turn. Multiple captures in one move still grant only one extra turn.
5. Safe Entry: You can place between two enemy pieces, but become vulnerable if they move.
6. Movement Phase: When all stones are placed, pieces can move along any line until blocked. No jumping or turning.
7. King Awakens: When movement begins, the center King becomes active for both players for capturing.
Game Two Rules
The traditional version with asymmetric gameplay. White tries to connect center to edge, Black tries to block them.
Objective:
- White: Create a line from the Navel Stone to the circumference
- Black: Force White to resign by blocking the center or reducing White to fewer than 7 stones
1. Opening: The King stone is placed at center. Then 8 White and 8 Black stones are placed in a specific pattern (see diagram).
2. Turns: White always goes first, then alternates.
3. Phases: Place stones until all 27 are used, then move pieces along lines (no jumping or turning).
4-5. Win Conditions: White wins by completing their line. Black wins by forcing resignation.
6. Challenge: When challenged, White must win or capture within 5 moves. If successful, White removes any 2 Black stones.
7-10. Capturing: Same as Game One - trap between two pieces, grants extra turn, captured pieces removed.
11. King Stone: Counts as White initially, then as either color for captures once Black starts moving.
12. Display: In placement phase, all pieces must be visible or shown on demand.
Quick Tactics
• Create "no-go" areas by strategic piece placement
• Control the middle rings (3rd, 4th, 5th) - they're critical
• Use captures to gain initiative, not just to remove pieces
• The innermost ring can be fortified or become a trap