Overview

Domination (also known as Focus) is an abstract strategy game where players stack and move piles of playing pieces on a circular grid. By making single or multiple moves, players capture opponents’ pieces and try to dominate the entire gameboard. The last player able to make a move wins.

Components

• 1 plastic gameboard unit (circular with grid of holes)
• 52 plastic playing pieces (for 2 players: green and red, 18 of each color; for 3 players: 3 colors, 12 each; for 4 players: 4 colors, use individual set-up)
• 1 label sheet
• 1 colored instruction booklet

Setup

2 Players:

1. Green and red playing pieces are used, 18 of each color.
2. Place pieces on the gameboard in the starting arrangement shown in Figure 1.

3 Players: Each player positions 12 pieces on the gameboard.

4 Players: Each player chooses a color. Set up the gameboard according to Figure 5.

Position the gameboard on a flat surface accessible to all players.

Turn Structure

Players take turns clockwise. On each turn, a player must make one move with a pile they control (their color is on top).

Actions

Single Move

Move one of your color playing pieces one space (horizontally or vertically, NOT diagonally).

Multiple Move

Move a pile by moving a number of pieces equal to or less than the pile’s height. Move the pile that many spaces in a straight line (horizontally or vertically, never diagonally). You can only move a pile if your color is on top.

Capturing

When you land on an opponent’s piece or pile, your stack goes on top. If the resulting pile exceeds 5 pieces, remove excess pieces from the bottom:

• Your own pieces go to your reserve (can be placed later)
• Opponent pieces are captured and removed from the game

Reserve Pieces

On your turn, instead of moving, you may place a reserve piece on any empty space or on top of any pile on the board.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

2-Player Game: The game ends when one player cannot make a move. That player loses.

Alternate Win (Fast 2-Player): The first player to capture or remove all of an opponent’s pieces wins.

3-Player Game: First player to capture at least 3 pieces from both opponents wins.

4-Player Game (Partners): First team to capture at least 3 pieces from each opponent wins. Partners sit across from each other. Playing individually or as partners follows the same rules.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• A pile’s limit is 5 pieces. Excess pieces from the bottom are removed when a pile exceeds 5.
• You can only move a pile or piece if your color is on top.
• Moves are always in straight lines, horizontally or vertically. Never diagonally.
• When making a multiple move, you can jump over other piles and pieces.
• You may split a pile by taking only the top portion.
• Reserve pieces placement counts as your turn (no movement that turn).

Player Reference

Rule	Detail
Max pile height	5
Movement	Straight line, horizontal or vertical only
Pile movement distance	Equal to number of pieces moved
Control	Your color must be on top
Reserve placement	Instead of moving, place on any empty space or top of any pile
Capture	Opponent’s pieces removed from bottom of overstacked piles