Overview

The Game of the Amazons is a two-player abstract strategy game on a 10x10 board. Each player controls four amazons. On each turn, a player moves one amazon (like a chess queen) and then shoots an arrow from its landing square (also queen-like movement) to permanently block a square. The board progressively fills with arrows, restricting movement. The last player able to make a legal move wins. Draws are impossible.

Components

• 1 game board (10x10 grid)
• 4 White amazons
• 4 Black amazons
• 90 red counters (arrows)

Setup

Place the 8 amazons on the board in the starting configuration:

• White amazons: a4, d1, g1, j4
• Black amazons: a7, d10, g10, j7

(White occupies the bottom two rows’ edges; Black mirrors on the top.)

Turn Structure

White moves first. Players alternate turns. Each turn consists of exactly two parts performed in sequence:

1. Move an Amazon — Move one of your own amazons any number of empty squares in a straight line (orthogonally or diagonally), exactly as a queen moves in chess. The amazon may not cross or enter any square occupied by an amazon of either color or by an arrow.

2. Shoot an Arrow — From the amazon’s new position, shoot an arrow to another square using the same queen-like movement. The arrow may travel in any direction (including back along the path the amazon just traveled, into or across the starting square). The arrow cannot cross or enter a square occupied by another arrow or any amazon. Mark the arrow’s landing square with a red counter — this square is permanently blocked.

Actions

There is only one type of action: move an amazon, then shoot an arrow. Both parts are mandatory every turn.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The last player able to make a legal move wins. A player who cannot move any of their amazons on their turn loses. Draws are impossible in this game.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• An amazon may move back through its own starting square on the same turn (the starting square is vacated when the amazon moves).
• The arrow shot after moving may travel back along the exact path the amazon just took, including through or to the amazon’s original square.
• Arrows are permanent — once placed, a red counter cannot be moved or removed.
• Both the amazon movement and arrow shot must follow unobstructed straight lines. Neither can jump over or land on occupied squares.
• There are no captures — amazons cannot take other amazons.
• The game always ends in a decisive result; draws cannot occur.

Player Reference

Turn Sequence:

1. Move one of your 4 amazons (queen-like movement along empty squares)
2. Shoot an arrow from the amazon’s new position (queen-like movement to an empty square)
3. Place a red counter on the arrow’s landing square (permanently blocked)

Movement Rules:

• Orthogonal or diagonal, any number of squares
• Cannot cross or land on: other amazons (either color) or arrows
• Amazon movement and arrow shot are independent directions

Board: 10x10 grid, starting with 8 amazons placed symmetrically