Overview

Gridlock is an abstract strategy game for 2 or 4 players designed by Andrew Looney, played with Icehouse pyramids on a chessboard. Players take turns placing (dropping) pyramids onto the board, then turning nearby pieces to face away from them. The game uses the Icehouse pyramid game system and features spatial reasoning and area control through piece orientation.

Components

• 1 standard chessboard (8x8 grid)
• 1 full stash of Icehouse pyramids per player (in distinct colors)
• 1 token to indicate current player (passed around the table)

Setup

1. Place the chessboard between the players, oriented at an angle for 2-player games (so two directions point toward each player).
2. Each player takes a full set of Icehouse pyramids of a single color.
3. Place the turn indicator token.
4. Determine starting player.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Drop a piece: Choose one of your pyramids and place it on an empty square of the board.
2. Turn pieces: After placing your pyramid, turn the correct number of pieces in front of the dropped piece so they are all pointing away from you. Only pieces that are lying down are turned.

Actions

Dropping Pieces

• Select a pyramid from your supply and place it on any empty square.
• Pyramids come in three sizes, each potentially having different strategic value.

Turning Pieces

• After dropping, you must turn a specific number of pieces that are in front of your dropped piece.
• Only pieces that are lying down (flat on the board) are turned to point away from the current player.
• Standing pieces are not affected by the turning action.
• The orientation of pieces determines control and scoring.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Scoring is determined by piece orientation and board control at the end of the game. The player whose pieces point most favorably (or who controls the most territory through piece orientation) wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• 2-player variant: Each player controls 2 colors. The chessboard is oriented at 45 degrees so that pieces pointing in two directions both effectively point away from a single player. Each player plays both colors as if controlled by separate individuals.
• 4-player standard: With 4 players, each controls one color set, seated at the four sides of the board.
• Lying vs. standing: Only pieces lying flat on the board are subject to the turning action. Standing pieces remain in place and are not rotated.
• Icehouse system: The game uses the Icehouse pyramid system, which features pyramids in three sizes (small, medium, large) that can be stacked or oriented in various ways.
• Abstract strategy: There is no theme; the game is purely about spatial positioning and piece control on the grid.

Player Reference

Turn sequence: Drop a pyramid > Turn lying pieces in front of it away from you

Piece states: Lying (flat, can be turned) vs. Standing (upright, cannot be turned)

2 players: Each controls 2 colors; board at 45-degree angle

4 players: Each controls 1 color; standard board orientation

Components needed: Chessboard + Icehouse pyramids (1 stash per player)