Overview

EinStein wurfelt nicht! (Einstein Does Not Play Dice!) is a two-player abstract strategy game played on a 5x5 grid. Each player has six numbered cubes (1-6) that they arrange in their starting triangle. On each turn, a player rolls a die and moves the matching cube. Despite using dice, the game features deep strategic decisions about which cubes to sacrifice and how to position pieces for both offense and defense. A player wins by reaching the opponent’s corner or eliminating all opponent cubes.

Components

• 1 game board (5x5 grid with colored triangular starting zones)
• 6 red cubes (numbered 1-6)
• 6 blue cubes (numbered 1-6)
• 1 six-sided die

Setup

1. Each player takes 6 cubes of their color, numbered 1 through 6.
2. Players arrange their cubes within the triangular area on their side of the board (their starting corner). The arrangement is secret and strategic – players choose which numbers go where within their triangle.
3. One player is Red, the other Blue. Red’s starting corner is one corner; Blue’s starting corner is the diagonally opposite corner.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. On each turn:

1. Roll the die. The number rolled determines which cube you must move.
2. Select the cube: If the matching cube is still on the board, you must move it. If the matching cube has been eliminated, you must move the cube with the closest number still on the board (either the next higher or next lower number – your choice).
3. Move the cube one space in an allowed direction.

Actions

Movement

• Red cubes can only move one square to the right, diagonally down-right, or down (toward Blue’s corner).
• Blue cubes can only move one square to the left, diagonally up-left, or up (toward Red’s corner).
• Movement is always exactly one space.

Capturing

If a cube moves into a space occupied by another cube (either opponent’s or your own), the occupying cube is removed from the board. You can capture your own cubes as well as your opponent’s.

Die Roll Selection

When the exact number rolled is not available (that cube has been eliminated), you choose between the next-higher and next-lower numbered cube that remains. This choice is a key strategic element.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Winning

A player wins by achieving either of these conditions:

1. Corner Victory: Move one of your cubes to the opponent’s starting corner square (the diagonally opposite corner from where you started).
2. Elimination Victory: Remove all of the opponent’s cubes from the board.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• The fewer cubes a player has, the more mobile those remaining cubes become, since more die rolls can be used to move the same piece. This creates an interesting paradox where losing cubes can sometimes be advantageous.
• You CAN capture your own cubes. Strategically eliminating your own cubes increases the probability that any die roll will move a specific remaining cube.
• When only one cube remains, a player no longer needs to roll the die at all – they simply move that cube on every turn (hence the name “Einstein does not play dice”).
• The initial arrangement of cubes in the starting triangle is a critical strategic decision made before the game begins.
• There is no passing – you must make a move on your turn.

Player Reference

Board: 5x5 grid

Cubes: 6 per player, numbered 1-6

Turn: Roll die > Move matching cube (or nearest available) one space

Red moves: Right, down-right diagonal, or down

Blue moves: Left, up-left diagonal, or up

Capturing: Move into any occupied space to remove that cube (including your own)

Win conditions: Reach opponent’s corner OR eliminate all opponent cubes