Overview

Diaballik is a two-player abstract strategy game played on a 7x7 grid. The game simulates a ball sport where each player controls 7 pieces, one of which carries a ball. The objective is to get your ball to the opponent’s starting row. Players alternate turns, each consisting of up to three sub-actions: two piece movements and one ball pass. The game combines positional strategy with ball-passing tactics.

Components

• 1 game board (7x7 grid)
• 7 pieces per player (2 colors)
• 2 ball markers (1 per player)

Setup

Each player places their 7 pieces along their own back row (row closest to them). The ball is placed on the center piece of each player’s row.

Turn Structure

On each turn, a player may perform up to 3 sub-actions in any order:

• Up to 2 movement actions (move a piece)
• Exactly 1 pass action (throw the ball)

A player may choose to use fewer than 3 actions.

Actions

Movement

• Move one of your pieces (that does not carry the ball) exactly one space horizontally or vertically (not diagonally).
• A piece cannot move onto a space occupied by any other piece (friendly or enemy).
• The piece carrying the ball cannot move; it can only pass.

Pass (Ball Throw)

• The ball carrier throws the ball to any other friendly piece in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
• The pass cannot go through or over any pieces (friendly or enemy) that stand between the thrower and the receiver. The line must be clear.
• The receiving piece now carries the ball.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

A player wins by getting their ball onto any space in the opponent’s starting row (the back row where the opponent’s pieces began). The ball must end on the opponent’s row, either by being passed to a piece already there or by the ball carrier being positioned there at the end of a pass.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Anti-Game Rule: If a player creates an impenetrable wall (a continuous line of pieces spanning the board from side to side) and at least 3 opposing pieces are adjacent to this wall, the player with the wall loses. This prevents purely defensive strategies.
• The ball carrier cannot move – it can only pass the ball. To advance the ball, you must first move teammates into receiving positions and then pass.
• A pass must travel in a straight line with no intervening pieces of either color.
• Both movement actions can be used on the same piece or on different pieces.
• You may pass before, between, or after your movement actions.

Player Reference

Turn: Up to 2 moves + 1 pass (in any order)

Movement: 1 space orthogonally; ball carrier cannot move

Pass: Straight line (any direction) to a friendly piece; no pieces in the path

Win: Get your ball to the opponent’s back row

Anti-Game: Creating a wall with 3+ adjacent enemy pieces = you lose