Objective of the Game
Focus is a strategic board game where the goal is to block opposing pieces while creating stacks of your own pieces. The player who is the last one able to make a legal move wins the game.
Game Materials
- An 8x8 board with spaces alternating in two colors
- A total of 88 pieces in two colors, evenly distributed between the players
Setup
- Each player chooses a color and takes all pieces of that color.
- Set up the board, placing one piece alternating by color on each space, starting with the chosen color of the starting player.
- Determine the starting player at random.
Gameplay
- Turns:
- Players take turns to play. During each turn, a player moves a stack where the top piece is of their own color.
- Stacks can be moved horizontally or vertically, but never diagonally.
- The number of spaces a stack can move equals the number of pieces in that stack.
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Stacks can be moved onto adjacent stacks of the same or different colors to strengthen them.
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Stacks and Towers:
- If a stack on a space exceeds five pieces, the excess pieces must be removed.
- Removed pieces of the player's color become their reserve pieces.
- Opponent's pieces that are removed are taken out of the game.
Winning the Game
A player wins if the opposing player can no longer make a legal move or all of the opponent's pieces have been removed from the game.
Strategic Tips
- Use Reserve Pieces Wisely: Always keep some reserve pieces ready to fortify weak stacks or capture strategic points.
- Control the Center: Dominating the middle of the board gives you more flexibility for movements.
- Create Blocks: Push opponent's pieces to the corners or edges where their mobility is limited.
Special Features
- Tactical Sacrifices: It can be beneficial to sacrifice a stack to control a stronger area in a later move.
- Flexible Endgame: In the endgame, it is crucial to effectively utilize reserve pieces to complete the game or ensure the final movement advantage.
Focus requires a high level of tactical thinking and foresight to anticipate the opponent’s moves and counter them effectively.
