Blockade is an abstract strategy board game for 2–4 players created by Philip Slater in 1975. Players move pawns across an 11×14 grid while placing walls to obstruct opponents. The objective is to be the first player to move both of their pawns from their starting corner to the opponent’s starting corner. Combining movement and wall placement creates a tense strategic game of blocking and path-finding.
Components
1 game board (11×14 grid)
2 pawns per player (4 colors for up to 4 players)
9 green walls per player (placed vertically)
9 blue walls per player (placed horizontally)
Setup
Each player takes 2 pawns of their chosen color.
Each player receives 9 green (vertical) walls and 9 blue (horizontal) walls.
Place pawns on the starting positions in each corner of the board (diagonal corners for 2 players, all 4 corners for 4 players).
All walls begin off the board.
Turn Structure
On each turn, a player performs two actions in order:
Move a pawn: Move one of your two pawns 1 or 2 spaces. Movement can be horizontal, vertical, or any combination (including an L-shape). Pawns cannot move through walls or other pawns.
Place a wall: Place one wall from your supply on the board. Green walls are placed on vertical edges; blue walls are placed on horizontal edges. Walls block movement between two adjacent squares.
Actions
Moving Pawns
Move one pawn 1 or 2 spaces per turn.
Spaces can be in any direction (horizontal or vertical), and the two steps can change direction (forming an L-shape).
You cannot move through walls or occupied squares.
You cannot move both pawns on the same turn.
Placing Walls
After moving, place exactly one wall.
Green walls go on vertical edges (block horizontal movement between two squares).
Blue walls go on horizontal edges (block vertical movement between two squares).
Walls cannot overlap or cross existing walls.
There is no requirement that a path must remain open (you may completely wall off an area).
Once placed, walls cannot be moved or removed.
Scoring / Victory Conditions
The first player to move both of their pawns to the starting positions of their opponent (the diagonally opposite corner) wins.
In a 4-player game, each player aims for the diagonally opposite corner.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
You must place a wall every turn if you have walls remaining. If you have no walls left, you only move.
A player may not skip the movement or wall placement portions of their turn unless forced (no walls remaining).
Pawns cannot share the same space.
In the 4-player version, players sitting opposite each other may form informal alliances, though the game does not have formal team rules.
Player Reference
Turn Phase
Action
1. Move
Move one pawn 1–2 spaces
2. Place Wall
Place one green (vertical) or blue (horizontal) wall
Player Setup
Pieces
Pawns
2 per player
Green walls
9 per player (vertical)
Blue walls
9 per player (horizontal)
| Victory | Move both pawns to opponent’s starting corner |
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