Zhadu

You can actually download the rules on the site in the "Mastery" section. It is a pdf file and you can also download the notation system. There is a free quarterly journal (pdf ) called, "the Sharing" which is pretty cool. It gives alot of insight into the strategies/tactics. I believe all you have to do is request to be on the mailing list.

I like Zhadu not only for the aesthetics, storyline, etc. but the gameplay is quite original. The objective of game is to "remember the Sharing". This happens when the total value of your first and last capture equals four. Other stones captured "in-between" are simply removed.

Each player has 5 stones that has a numerical value - 1 stone, 2 stone, 3 stone, 4 stone and the (1,2,3 stone - it can be the value of 1,2, or 3). The value of each stone
determines the number of spaces it can move on the board. Here is where the game gets interesting because stones are able to move a number of spaces within a triangle - the 3 corners and the center. Learning these "routes" are key to masterying the game.

What is also cool is that there is no standard "setup". Players only have to place their stones in the designated spaces, but are able to choose which stone goes where.

Overall, I enjoy (borderline obsess) Zhadu. My friend told me it got a nice review in Abstract Strategy Games Magazine back in Fall 2002. I paid $40.00 for a nice walnut board.

The site could be easier, but the game is worth it.

- Maleqi

The removed stones don't return and you would think that the board would empty pretty fast. But because of the objective, its tricky in way. Since the objective depends on the total value of the first and last stone being equal to 4, part of the real challenge lies in deciding which stone to remove first.

Here's break-down taken from the rules:

"If the first stone you capture is the:

- (4 stone), then you have successfully "remembered the Sharing"
- (123 stone), then you must now capture the 1stone, 2 stone or 3 stone to win.
- (3 stone), then you must capture the 1stone or 123stone to win.
- (2 stone), then you must capture the 123 stone to win.
- (1 stone), then you must capture the 3 stone or 123 stone to win. "

From this, you can see that you may end up in a situation were your opponent has captured your (2 stone) for example and must now capture your (123 stone) in order to win. But because you haven't captured any stones yet, their (4 stone) is still vulnerable and rendered helpless until a first capture is made by you.

One issue of the quarterly journal talks about the highest or "most gracious" game being one in which you are able to trap or "hold" the opponent's (4 stone) before any stones have been removed from the game at all.

I suggest downloading the rules and getting an issue of the free journal for more insight. I'd like to see what you think...

- Maleqi