Controls

You play by moving pieces. Tap a piece and then tap where you want it to go. All pieces move the same way, in straight lines like a chess rook, any distance until something blocks them.

The two sides win in opposite ways:

• The defender's goal is to escort the king from the center to safety. The king wins by reaching any corner square, so the defending side plays to open a path and break through.
• The attacker's goal is to trap the king by surrounding him on all four sides. The larger attacking force plays to close off his escape routes and box him in.

You capture an ordinary piece by flanking it, moving so it's caught between two of your pieces on opposite sides.

The armies are unequal by design, so each side needs a different strategy. Against the computer, the difficulty rises across eight levels.

Tips

• As the defender, open a lane for the king. Your goal is to get the king to a corner, so use your pieces to clear and protect a path toward one, rather than just huddling in the center.
• As the attacker, cut off escape routes. The king can flee to any corner, so spread your larger force to guard multiple directions, closing the net gradually instead of chasing him to one side.
• Capture by flanking, not landing on. You take a piece by trapping it between two of yours on opposite sides, so set up these pincers rather than expecting to capture by moving onto an enemy.
• Defenders, don't over-commit. Sending the king out too early can get him surrounded, so build a safe route with your other pieces before making the break for a corner.
• Attackers, use your numbers patiently. You have more pieces, so trading them off carelessly weakens your grip, and a slow, coordinated squeeze traps the king more reliably than a rush.
• Learn both sides. Playing attacker and defender teaches you what each is trying to do, so understanding your opponent's goal is the fastest way to get better at either role.

Frequently asked questions