3 CROWNS

Copyright (c) 2001 Larry Back

The game is played on a 8x8 board, with the following setup:

 
  • TROIKA - A Troika is formation of 3 or more Uncrowned stones in a row, all belonging to the same player, in an orthogonal or diagonal direction.
  • GAME EQUALIZER - The first player must move the same stone on the first two turns.
  • TURN - On each turn, each player must do one of the following things (passing is not allowed):
    • move - A Crowned or Uncrowned stone moves to an adjacent (orthogonal or diagonal) empty cell. 
      • If an Uncrowned stone becomes part of a 'Troika' after moving, it becomes Crowned.
    • jump - Crowned or Uncrowned stones makes a double jump over two opponent stones.
      • Crowned stones can only jump over opponent Uncrowned stones. 
      • Uncrowned stones can only jump opponent Crowned stones. 
      • A jumping move consists of moving a stone two cells in a direction (orthogonal or diagonal) into an empty cell while passing directly over the opponent stone. After making one jumping move, a stone must make a second. The second jumping move can be made in the same direction, or in a different direction. 
        • Notice that a third jumping move is not permitted. 
        • If no second jumping move is possible, then the first jumping move cannot be made.
      • Jumping moves are not compulsory. All jumping moves must be double jumps.
      • When two Uncrowned stones are jumped then the second jumped Uncrowned stone is captured and removed from the game. 
      • When two Crowned stones are jumped, as long as a it would not become part a  'Troika', the second jumped Crowned stone becomes Uncrowned. If a 'Troika'  would result from Uncrowning, the second Crowned stone is captured and removed from the game.
      • If an Uncrowned stone becomes part of a 'Troika' after making the double jump, it is Crowned.
  • GOAL - Wins the player that first captures 3 stones, or makes a Crowned Troika (i.e., a Troika with 3 crowned stones).
 
An example

Green's move. He moves the uncrowned stone at f3 to cell [1] and makes the third crown stone (Troika at c1-d2-e3). Now Black must avoid the winning Crown Troika, but it's too late. After the forced d3-e4, green replies e2-f3, e4-d3, e3-e4 and wins on the next move!

Jumping Example

The crown stone at d6 can jump to cell [1] and then it's obliged to jump to one of the cells marked by [2], capturing the second jumped stone. However, it is not possible to make a 3rd jump over stone at e2.

Notice that the uncrown stone at e6 cannot jump other uncrown stones.


There is a ZRF to play 3 Crowns with Zillions.