Overview

Five-Field Kono is a traditional Korean abstract strategy game for 2 players. Similar in concept to Chinese Checkers, the goal is to move all of your pieces into the positions originally occupied by your opponent’s pieces. The game is played on a 5x5 grid, with pieces moving diagonally. There are no captures — the game is purely about maneuvering pieces past your opponent.

Components

• 1 Board (5x5 grid with 25 intersections)
• 7 pieces per player in two different colors (14 total)

Setup

1. Each player sits on opposite sides of the board.
2. Each player places 7 pieces: 5 pieces on all intersections of the row closest to them, and 2 pieces on the two outermost intersections of their second row.
3. The center intersection and 3 inner intersections of each player’s second row remain empty at the start.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. On each turn, a player moves exactly one piece.

Movement

A piece moves one space diagonally to an adjacent empty intersection. Pieces may move in any diagonal direction, including backward (toward their own starting position).

Actions

Moving a Piece

• Select one of your pieces.
• Move it one space diagonally to an empty adjacent intersection.
• There are no captures in Five-Field Kono.
• Pieces cannot jump over other pieces.
• Pieces cannot move orthogonally (horizontally or vertically) — only diagonally.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Win: The first player to occupy all of their opponent’s starting positions wins. That means moving all 7 of your pieces into the 7 intersections where your opponent’s pieces began the game.

Alternative Win: If a player leaves pieces in their initial starting position to permanently block the opponent, the opponent may win by occupying just the squares the blocking player has vacated.

Draw: If neither player can get past the other, both players may agree to a draw.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• No Captures: Pieces are never removed from the board. The game is entirely about positioning and maneuvering.
• Diagonal Only: All movement is strictly diagonal.
• Backward Movement: Pieces may move backward toward their own starting row.
• Blocking: If a player intentionally blocks by leaving pieces in starting positions, the opponent only needs to fill the vacated starting positions to win.
• Stalemate: If neither player can make progress, a draw may be agreed upon.

Player Reference

Setup

• Row 1 (closest to you): all 5 intersections filled
• Row 2: 2 outermost intersections filled
• Total: 7 pieces per player

Movement

• One piece per turn
• One space diagonally
• Any direction (including backward)
• No jumping, no capturing

Victory

• Occupy all 7 of your opponent’s starting positions