Quod

Overview

Quod is an abstract strategy game played on an 11x11 grid (with corner spaces removed, leaving 117 spaces). Players alternate placing pieces called “quods” trying to form a square of 4 of their pieces. The square can be any size and any orientation (including tilted). Players also have a limited supply of blocking pieces called “quasars.”

Components

Component	Quantity
Game board (11x11 grid, corners removed)	1
Quods per player (attacking pieces)	20
Quasars per player (blocking pieces)	6

Setup

1. Place the empty board between players.
2. Each player takes 20 quods and 6 quasars of their color.
3. Determine who goes first.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Optionally place any number of your quasars (blocking pieces).
2. Place exactly 1 quod (attacking piece) on any empty space.

Actions

Place Quod

Place one of your attacking pieces on any vacant space on the board.

Place Quasars (Optional)

Before placing your quod, you may place any number of your remaining quasars. Quasars are purely blocking – they occupy spaces to prevent opponents from completing squares but do not count toward forming your own square.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Win: Form a square (any size, any orientation) with 4 of your quods at the corners. The square can be tilted at any angle.

If no square is formed (all players exhaust quods): the player with the most unplayed quasars wins. If tied on quasars, the game is a draw.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Squares can be any size and any rotation, making them very difficult to block.
• The 4 corner spaces of the 11x11 grid are removed (not playable).
• Quasars are a limited resource – using them too early leaves you vulnerable later.
• The game was featured in Scientific American (March 1996).

Player Reference

Piece	Count	Purpose
Quod	20	Attacking; form squares to win
Quasar	6	Blocking; occupy spaces defensively
Win	4 quods forming any square	Any size, any orientation