Overview

Pente is an abstract strategy game played on a 19x19 grid (like a Go board). Players place stones on intersections, aiming to be the first to get five stones in a row or capture five pairs of opponent’s stones.

Components

• 1 roll-up game board (19x19 grid)
• Stones in player colors (enough for a full game)
• Storage pouch

Setup

1. The board starts empty.
2. The first player places one stone on the center intersection.
3. Players alternate placing one stone per turn on any empty intersection.

Turn Structure

On your turn, place one stone on any empty intersection on the board. That is your entire turn.

Actions

Placement

Place one stone on any empty intersection. Stones are never moved once placed (except when captured).

Captures

A capture occurs when you place a stone that creates a pattern where exactly two of your opponent’s stones are flanked between two of your stones in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). The two captured stones are removed from the board.

• Captures only happen at the moment of placement.
• Multiple captures can occur on a single turn if your placement flanks pairs in multiple directions.
• You can safely move into a position between two opponent stones without being captured (captures only happen on the active player’s turn).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Two ways to win:

1. Five in a row: Get 5 or more of your stones in an unbroken line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
2. Five captures: Capture 5 pairs (10 stones total) of your opponent’s stones.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Tournament rule (optional): The first player’s second stone (their 2nd turn overall) must be placed at least 3 intersections away from the center point. This balances the first-player advantage.
• Captures are along straight lines only (horizontal, vertical, diagonal). You must flank exactly 2 opponent stones.
• You cannot capture 3 or more stones in a row by flanking them; only pairs of exactly 2 are captured.
• A stone placed between two opponent stones is NOT captured; captures only occur on the turn of the player who places the flanking stone.
• Captured stones are removed from the board immediately and kept by the capturing player for scoring.
• In 4-player games (tournament Pente), teams of 2 play with partners sitting across from each other.

Player Reference

Win Condition	Requirement
Five in a row	5+ stones in an unbroken horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line
Five captures	Capture 5 pairs of opponent stones

Capture Rule	Details
Pattern	Your stone - 2 opponent stones - your stone (in a line)
Trigger	Only on placement
Multiple	Can capture in multiple directions simultaneously