Overview

Death Stacks is a two-player abstract strategy game that is a variant of Sid Sackson’s Focus. Played on a 6x6 grid using checkers pieces, players move stacks whose height determines how far they can travel. A stack belongs to whichever player’s piece is on top. The goal is to capture or control all of the opponent’s pieces.

Components

• 1 checkerboard (only the central 6x6 grid is used)
• 12 checkers per player (2 colors), 24 total

Setup

Each player places their 12 checkers in a row along their back row of the 6x6 grid. Players sit on opposite sides.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. On your turn, move one stack that you control (your color is on top).

Actions

Moving a Stack

• The number of pieces in a stack determines how many spaces it must move (a single piece moves 1 space, a stack of 3 moves exactly 3 spaces, etc.).
• Stacks move in a straight line in any of the 8 directions (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
• Stacks cannot be blocked by other stacks in their path; they pass over them.
• Edge Reflection: If a move would carry a stack beyond the edge of the 6x6 grid, the stack “bounces” off the edge like a mirror and continues in the reflected direction for the remaining spaces.

Landing / Stacking

• When a stack lands on another stack (friendly or enemy), the moving stack is placed on top, forming a new combined stack.
• The player whose piece is on top of the resulting stack controls it.
• The arrangement of pieces within a stack is never altered except by continued stacking.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

A player wins when the opponent has no stacks they control (no stacks with their color on top) and therefore cannot make a move.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Stack ownership: A stack is controlled by whoever has the top piece. You may move stacks that contain your opponent’s pieces, as long as your piece is on top.
• Forced movement: Stacks must move exactly the number of spaces equal to the stack height. You cannot move fewer.
• Edge reflection: Movement that would go off the board reflects off the edge. The stack continues in the mirrored direction for the remaining distance.
• Passing over: Stacks in the path of movement are ignored (not captured or affected) until the moving stack lands on its final space.
• Capturing: There is no separate capture action. Control changes happen by landing on an opponent’s stack (or any stack) and placing your stack on top.

Player Reference

Movement: Stack height = number of spaces moved (exactly). 8 directions. Reflects off edges.

Control: Top piece determines stack ownership.

Stacking: Landing on another stack combines them; mover goes on top.

Win: Opponent has no controllable stacks (no stacks with their color on top).