Objective of the Game
In Bauernfangen, the goal is to capture all of your opponent's "farmers" by surrounding them.
Game Materials
- A square board with a grid (usually 8x8 squares, similar to a chessboard).
- Different colored pieces for each player (often red and blue).
Setup
- Each player receives a set of pieces, called "farmers".
- Players alternately place their farmers on their designated starting rows on the board.
- Usually, the player with the red farmers begins.
Gameplay
- Make Moves: Players take turns. A farmer can move
- forward,
- sideways, or
- diagonally
- by one square.
- Capturing: A farmer captures an opponent farmer by surrounding it on at least two sides (horizontally or vertically). A simple move that "traps" an opponent's farmer will remove it from the board.
- Defending: It is strategically important to position your farmers so they are not easily captured while planning to trap your opponent's farmers.
Special Rules
- Chain Capturing: Multiple farmers can be captured in one move if the new position of the moved farmer allows it.
- Safety: A farmer standing at the edge of the board is more difficult to capture as it requires multiple adjacent squares to be captured.
Ending the Game
The game ends when a player captures all of the opponent’s farmers. The player who achieves this first wins.
Strategic Tips
- Strategic Positioning: Position your farmers in a way that they are not easily captured, while trying to lure the opponent into traps.
- Control the Center: Controlling the center of the board can provide strategic advantages, as it allows easier access to opponent farmers.
- Set Goals: Focus on capturing specific opponent farmers first and use chain moves to gain larger advantages.
