Quixo

Overview

Quixo is an abstract strategy game for 2 or 4 players (in teams). On a 5x5 board of cubes, players take turns removing a cube from the periphery, changing its face to their symbol, and sliding it back in – pushing an entire row or column. The goal is to form a line of 5 cubes bearing your symbol.

Components

Component	Quantity
Game board (5x5 grid)	1
Cubes (blank on top; circle on one side, cross on another)	25

Setup

1. Place all 25 cubes in the board with blank faces up.
2. Choose symbols: one player/team plays crosses, the other circles.
3. Determine who starts.

Turn Structure

On your turn (you may never skip):

1. Choose a cube from the board’s periphery (outer ring of 16 positions). You may take a blank cube or one showing your own symbol. You may never take a cube showing your opponent’s symbol.
2. Change the face to show your symbol on top.
3. Replace the cube at one end of the incomplete row/column created when the cube was removed. Push the remaining cubes to fill the gap. You may never replace the cube in the position from which it was taken.

Actions

The key action is selecting which cube to take and where to re-insert it. Re-insertion pushes an entire row or column, potentially disrupting existing lines or creating new ones.

In the first round, all cubes are blank, so players must take blank cubes.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Win: Be the first to make and announce a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of 5 cubes bearing your symbol.

Lose: If you make a line of 5 cubes bearing your opponent’s symbol, you lose – even if you simultaneously make a line of your own symbol.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• You cannot skip your turn.
• Only cubes on the periphery (outer ring) can be taken.
• The center 9 cubes (3x3 inner grid) can never be directly taken, only pushed.
• A game typically lasts 10-20 minutes.

4-Player Rules (Teams)

• Teams of 2, partners sitting opposite each other.
• Play clockwise; teams alternate turns (A1, B1, A2, B2).
• Each player may only take a cube with their symbol pointing toward them (directional arrows determine ownership within a team).
• Teams may agree before the game whether conferring is permitted.
• A team loses if they form a line of the opposing team’s symbol.

Player Reference

Step	Rule
Take cube	Periphery only; blank or your symbol
Change face	Must show your symbol
Replace cube	Push into any end of the row/column; not the original position
Win	Line of 5 of your symbol
Lose	Form a line of 5 of opponent’s symbol