Objective
Lines of Action (LOA) is an abstract strategy board game for two players. The aim of the game is to group all one's pieces on the board into a single connected line. This line can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal.
Game Components
- A chessboard with 8x8 squares.
- Each player has 12 pieces, one color for each player (commonly black and white).
Setup
At the start of the game, players place their pieces at their respective starting positions on the board. Black pieces are positioned along the first and eighth rows, while white pieces are placed along the first and eighth columns.
Gameplay
- Turn: Players take turns alternately, starting with Black.
- Movement of Pieces: Each turn involves moving one piece in a straight line. The number of spaces a piece can move is determined by the number of pieces (both friendly and opposing) in that exact row, column, or diagonal.
- Example: If there are 3 pieces in a row (or column or diagonal), a piece in that row moves exactly 3 spaces.
- Blocking and Jumping:
- You cannot jump over your own pieces.
- Opponent's pieces can be jumped over if the move ends in a free square.
- Restriction: A move cannot carry a piece off the board.
Forming a Line
- The goal is to have all of one's pieces connected in a chain at the end of one's move, with no gaps between them.
- Winning Condition: A player wins by connecting all of their pieces into a contiguous line.
Strategic Tips
- In the early game, try to form larger groups to increase your movement options.
- Look for opportunities to block the opponent or disrupt their line-forming efforts.
- Consider how each move affects the overall connectivity of your pieces concerning the objective of forming a line.
The game concludes once a player successfully arranges all their pieces into a single connected line. If both players achieve this in the same turn, the game is a draw.