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Pylyx
Pylyx is a simple stacking game that can be played with checkers on a 10x10 board (with 2x8 checkers) or a 12x12 board (with 2x10 checkers).

Rules
There are two players, Player One and Player Two. The board is a 12x12 square the four corners of which are omitted from play. There are 10 white and 10 black checkers.
An initial positionThe initial position
Player One places all checkers on the board in such a way that every row and every column of the central 10x10 square contains exactly one white man and one black man. The diagram gives an example. Player Two next chooses which color he will play. White moves first.
Players in turn move one piece. Moving is not compulsory: a player may pass without losing the right to move on his next turn.
In the game black stacks and white stacks arise, but no mixed stacks. Men and stacks are called 'pieces'. Pieces may never move over other pieces, regardless of color. Pieces may not land on opposing pieces. Pieces may land on pieces of like color, forming stacks. Stacks may move as a whole or as any top part (according to its height), leaving the bottom part behind.
  • Single men move diagonally.
  • Doubles move orthogonally.
  • Triples move both orthogonally and diagonally.
  • Pieces higher than three may not move.
Object
Be the first to make a stack of 10. If neither player can succeed, the game is a draw.

Strategy
Because stacks may split, an immobile stack will always have mobile top parts. If a player creates a stack of four or more though, that's likely the intended square to build his stack of ten on. Having to break it down by moving a top part is not the most efficient way to do it.
For maximum flexibility, 3-3-2-2 or 3-3-3-1 appear to be the best sets to fix a square and stack as final destination. Of course one should not end with a single on the wrong diagonal subgrid.
A single on the edge can be easily blocked, so don't put one there lightly. If it occurs, the way to liberate it is to move a double onto it and leave with a triple. A double blocked on the side can also leave diagonally in two steps as two singles. There are several liberation tactics, but they are time consuming. Better avoid singles on the edges whenever possible.


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