THE BOARD

Forty-five points joined by lines on a 5×9 grid. Points where diagonals meet are strong; the rest connect only along rows and columns. You play ivory and move first — take every enemy stone to win.

CAPTURE BY APPROACH

• A stone steps one point along a line into an empty point.
• If that step moves it toward an enemy stone directly ahead on the same line, that stone is captured by approach.
• Every enemy stone lined up unbroken behind it falls too.

CAPTURE BY WITHDRAWAL

• If the step moves the stone directly away from an enemy line behind it, that whole line is captured by withdrawal.
• When one step would strike both ways, you choose which line falls.

MANDATORY CAPTURE & CHAINS

• Capturing is mandatory: if any capture exists, you must capture.
• After a capture the same stone may keep striking in a chain.
• Each new strike must change direction and never return the stone to a point it already visited this turn.
• You may stop the chain whenever you choose.