Overview

Fanorona is a traditional Madagascan strategy game for two players, derived from the medieval game of Alquerque. Played on a 9x5 grid with diagonal lines, it features a unique capture mechanic: pieces can capture by approach (moving toward enemies) or by withdrawal (moving away from enemies). The objective is to capture all of the opponent’s pieces.

Components

• 1 Board (9x5 grid with diagonal lines at alternating intersections)
• 22 White pieces
• 22 Black pieces

Setup

Place all 44 pieces on the board in the starting arrangement: each player fills their two nearest rows completely, and the middle row is alternately filled, leaving the center point empty.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. On each turn, a player either:

1. Moves one piece along a line to an adjacent vacant point, OR
2. Captures (compulsory if possible)

Capturing is mandatory. If a player can capture, they must do so.

Actions

Regular Move

Move one piece along a line to an adjacent empty intersection.

Capture by Approach

Move a piece to an adjacent empty point such that an enemy piece is on the next point in the same direction of movement. That enemy piece and all further unbroken enemy pieces in the same straight line are captured and removed.

Capture by Withdrawal

If a piece starts adjacent to an enemy piece and moves to an adjacent empty point in the opposite direction (away from the enemy), the enemy piece and all further unbroken enemy pieces in that straight line are captured and removed.

Dual Capture Choice

If a single move could capture by both approach and withdrawal simultaneously, the player must choose only one type of capture for that move.

Multiple Captures (Chain Captures)

After making a capture, if the same piece can make another capture, it must continue capturing. This repeats until no more captures are possible.

Restrictions on chain captures:

• Cannot traverse a line already used during the current chain
• Cannot return to a point already occupied during the current chain
• Cannot capture in the same direction as the immediately preceding capture

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• Win: Capture all of the opponent’s pieces.
• Draw: If a player cannot move or capture on their turn, the game is a draw.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Compulsory capture: If a capture is available, the player must capture (cannot make a simple move instead).
• Approach vs. Withdrawal: When both are possible on the same move, choose one.
• Chain capture restrictions: Remember the path; no retracing lines, no revisiting points, no repeating direction.

Common Variations

• First capture restriction: The first time each player captures in a game, only a single capture is allowed (no chain).
• Optional continuation: After the first capture in a chain, further captures are optional (player may stop at any point).

Player Reference

Item	Details
Players	2
Board	9x5 grid with diagonals
Pieces per player	22
Capture types	Approach (move toward) and Withdrawal (move away)
Chain captures	Mandatory if available, with path restrictions
Win condition	Capture all opponent’s pieces
Draw condition	Player unable to move or capture